Lollapaliteracy; District Empowers Educators with Science of Reading Professional Development
DeKalb CUSD 428 has successfully transitioned to a Science of Reading-aligned curriculum, utilizing proven, research-backed methods to build a strong foundation in literacy for every student. Recognizing that shifting instructional practices takes time, the district is actively supporting educators with targeted professional development during this period of growth. This ongoing training equips staff with the exact tools and strategies needed to maximize student reading success across all classrooms.
This specialized professional learning is being provided to all third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade teachers, administrators, reading specialists, literacy assistants, and other staff members supporting intermediate literacy. The comprehensive training kicked off with a summer session attended by 75 staff members, with the remaining staff scheduled to attend in September.
Hosted at Cortland Elementary School, the Elementary Teaching & Learning team delivered 15 hours of interactive learning over three days, bridging literacy research and practical classroom application in a dynamic, conference-like environment.
The event, Lollapaliteracy, featured exclusive keynote addresses from Northern Illinois University’s (NIU) College of Education, including:
- "Reading and Writing the Word and the World" – Presented by Dr. Michael Manderino
- "Rethinking the Role of Strategy Instruction in Learning to Comprehend" – Presented by Drs. Junco, Dwomoh, and Bonilla
Through this collaborative effort, the district remains committed to investing in our educators and ensuring high-quality, research-based literacy instruction for all students.
