FOR TRAINERS

Training for Trainers

Becoming a Reading Recovery university trainer requires a year-long residency program (at the post-doctoral level in the United States). The initial year of professional development for trainers is offered at four international centers.

Reading Recovery trainers are faculty members within an established university training center (UTC) or Regional Canadian Institute who are responsible for initial and ongoing professional development for teacher leaders, supporting a network of affiliated Reading Recovery teacher training sites, expanding and strengthening sites within the network, and ensuring the integrity of Reading Recovery within the region. More than 20 Reading Recovery UTCs currently provide the organizing structure for states or regions of the United States, and 3 Canadian institutes provide regional structures for that country.

For more detailed information about becoming a Reading Recovery trainer and about professional development requirements for trainers see the Standards and Guidelines for the United States and for Canada.

Initial year of professional development

Becoming a Reading Recovery university trainer requires a year-long residency program (at the post-doctoral level in the United States). The initial year of professional development for trainers is offered at four international centers: The Ohio State University, Texas Woman’s University, the University of Auckland, and the University of London.

During the year of study, candidates learn to

teach Reading Recovery children
support the development of Reading Recovery teachers across an academic year
bring diverse areas of theory and practice into working relationships and educate other professionals to do this
work with teacher leaders across their initial year of professional development and in subsequent years to ensure cycles of change
establish and maintain high-quality Reading Recovery teacher training sites
coordinate Reading Recovery in their network of sites, advising administrators about sustaining the quality of implementation
advise others about the range of research related to Reading Recovery
monitor student outcomes to analyze implementation issues
conduct and report research and program evaluation
manage a university training center
communicate about and advocate for Reading Recovery

Continuing professional development

University trainers meet for at least two extended sessions annually and work collaboratively within the North American Trainers Group (NATG). Committee structures within NATG create opportunities for ongoing inquiry and study: teaching and professional development, implementation, and research. Trainers communicate on a continual basis about current theoretical, research, and pedagogical perspectives and conduct research to seek answers to questions about the many complex aspects of the intervention.

North American trainers are also active members of the International Reading Recovery Trainers Organization (IRRTO). The international group is committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Reading Recovery and to supporting change and growth in Reading Recovery through international collaboration, research, and resource development. Sharing and learning from international colleagues further enhances the ongoing professional development of Reading Recovery trainers.