NSU hosts Early Literacy Teacher Training Academy through statewide partnership

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. -- Northeastern State University (NSU) recently hosted an Early Literacy Teacher Training Academy at its Broken Arrow Reading Clinic as one of seven Oklahoma universities selected to participate in a statewide initiative led by the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA) and the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). The initiative is designed to strengthen foundational reading instruction and support literacy achievement for elementary students across Oklahoma.

Led by Dr. Sarah Ramsey during her tenure as chair of NSU's Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the week-long, 40-hour academy provided current K-3 teachers with hands-on training in the Science of Reading, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and standards-aligned literacy instruction. Held July 13-17, the academy welcomed up to 26 elementary teachers who participated in person or via livestream.

Throughout the academy, participants explored research-based instructional practices and practical classroom strategies designed to strengthen early literacy instruction. By serving as one of the university host sites, NSU continues to support educator preparation and literacy initiatives that strengthen Oklahoma classrooms.

Ramsey said the academy emphasized the importance of grounding literacy instruction in decades of research that helps educators understand how children learn to read.

"The Science of Reading isn't a program or a single approach; it's the body of knowledge built over decades of research across cognitive science, linguistics and education about how reading develops and how it's best taught," Ramsey said. "It matters in K-3 because reading has to be taught. Children pick up spoken language by being around it, but the brain isn't born knowing how to connect print to sound to meaning. Skilled teaching grounded in that body of knowledge is what builds it."

Ramsey said the academy also reflects the College of Education's commitment to equipping teachers with evidence-based instructional practices that support student success.

"The NSU College of Education's partnership in this academy reflects our commitment to preparing Oklahoma teachers with the tools and knowledge proven to help every child become a confident, skilled reader," Ramsey said.

President Rodney Hanley said the academy exemplifies NSU's broader commitment to strengthening education throughout Oklahoma.

"NSU has a long-standing commitment to strengthening education across our state, and this academy is another example of that work in action," Hanley said. "By equipping K-3 teachers with proven literacy strategies, we're investing not only in today's classrooms but also in the future success of Oklahoma students."

For more information about NSU's College of Education, visit coe.nsuok.edu.

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