Why Study Orton-Gillingham for the Classroom?
To Provide Best First Teaching for ALL Students!
Studying Orton-Gillingham equips classroom educators with the knowledge to teach literacy through language and structure using an evidence-based, structured literacy approach. Grounded in the Science of Reading, Orton-Gillingham principles support clear, explicit, and systematic instruction that benefits all learners—not only those with dyslexia.
For classroom teachers, Orton-Gillingham provides a framework for best-first instruction: helping educators understand how reading develops, how written language works, and how to design lessons that are intentional, cumulative, and responsive to student needs. This approach strengthens core classroom instruction while supporting students who need more structured support.
Definition of Classroom Educator Training
Updates from the Orton-Gillingham Academy
Classroom Educator (CE) Level is intended for educators teaching in a general education setting. The CE practitioner is certified by OGA to provide and adapt literacy instruction for the whole class or for small groups needing supplemental support.
-The coursework provides educators with the basic content knowledge of research-based explicit language instruction as well as the delivery of instruction aligned with Orton-Gillingham Principles.
-Students with greater deficits in reading will need more intensive instruction delivered by a practitioner trained at the Associate level or above.
As of June 2025, Classroom Educator will now be a stand-alone level of certification. Moving forward, training and practicum hours from Classroom Educator can no longer be applied to Associate Training.
Classroom Educator (CE) Training
This 35-hour OGCE training provides the necessary theory in the OG approach and lesson plan, as well as a grounding in 'science of reading' and structured literacy. The practical tools and strategies to teach an OG lesson in small groups and/or in the general classroom setting are also included. Equal emphasis is provided on decoding for reading and encoding for spelling and writing for a wholistic approach.
Classroom Educator training integrates theory and practice, beginning with foundational knowledge of language development and reading acquisition. This knowledge provides the framework for understanding Orton-Gillingham lesson structure, instructional routines, and classroom-appropriate strategies that align with curriculum demands while maintaining fidelity to Orton-Gillingham principles.
After fulfilling all requirements, each participant will receive a certificate of completion for the training hours.
Trainees may continue their OG learning by choosing one of the following:
1) Classroom Educator Practicum: This a total of 50 hours of supervised teaching, with five submitted observations. Following this, an application to OGA at the Classroom Educator Level can be submitted.
2) Associate Training: This 70-hour training includes further learning on the OG Approach, teaching of literacy, and the dyslexic profile so trainees have the skills to teach 1:1 in a special education / remedial setting.
Upcoming Classroom Educator Trainings
Important Training Details:
-Time Zone: EST.
-Live Virtual Online teaching via Zoom.
Spring 2026
-Tuesdays (6:00pm-8:30pm EST): March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28.
-Saturdays (8:00am-3:30pmEST): March 28, April 18.
Summer 2026
-July 13-16
-Mon-Tues-Wed: 8:00am-4:00pm
-Thurs: 8:00am-3:00pm
Application - Registration - Payment
To apply for a session:
- Fill out the Application for the desired session (links below).
- Email completed Application.
- Send non-refundable deposit of $100 CAD through e-transfer.
- Your application will be reviewed and you will notified regarding its acceptance.
Training Investment: $1,125 CAD + HST.