Structured Literacy Course Testimonials

I took Martha's structured literacy course for professional and personal reasons. As an educator, it was some of the best PD I have done. It put to rest a lot of myths about structured literacy. It was scientific but child centred. It was structured but encouraged exploration and inquiry. There wasn't a workbook in sight but there were lots of practical home-made, hands-on games and activities that made learning effective and fun. As a successful adult Dyslexic, I learned things about how I learn that I had never seen clearly before. Martha is a dynamic and sympathetic presenter who guides with grace and humour.

Elizabeth Albrecht-Bisset

Vice Principal

William J. McCordic School

Toronto, ON, Canada

"Martha Kovack's OG/Structured Literacy Course for educators was very informative and engaging! As a new educator I was eager to learn about these approaches, and had many questions. Martha was an excellent instructor. She was able to answer all questions asked, and delivered the course in an interesting format. I truly enjoyed the course, which covered a broad range of tips/advice - not just a focus on slides. We received resources that made the OG/SL approach clear, allowing me to follow along easily. The strategies were easy to integrate into my practice. After finishing the course, I felt prepared enough to begin to use this approach with my students."

Melissa Vanzant, MEd, OCT

Primary/Junior teacher and tutor

Toronto, ON

"I just want to say thank-you so much again for this structured literacy training!! It helped me fill in gaps in my learning, and develop more effective lessons for my students. I appreciate your enthusiasm for the science of reading and your openness to all questions. You create a positive and welcoming learning environment, and I think all educators will benefit from your expertise!"

Pamela Robinson

Founder/Owner, Access Learning

B.A., B.Ed.

Barrie ON Canada

This is Rafa. He struggles with dyslexia and profound ADHD. He has finally found the help he needs to make sense of the written code. His mom said that this is the most genuine smile she has seen. He is calm, confident, and happy. What a joy!

"Just wanted to pass along that I thoroughly enjoyed your structured literacy course and it has provided a great base for the course I am taking now. It also piqued my interest! Your introduction gave me a head start and strong basis for the lessons provided in this course. I would highly recommend it."

Carolyn Robeson

Speech Pathologist

M.S., CCC-SLP Reg. CASLPO

Waterloo, ON Canada

"... this course was eye opening with regards to how language works, how our brains decode and the huge benefits of a structured and systematic approach to introducing it. It gave me a new understanding and appreciation for this complex topic as well as practical tools to help my children learn to read. The demonstration videos really helped to illustrate topics and the activities were varied and easy to reproduce."

Trina Rowe, MSC (OT)

Occupational Therapist

Parent of child with dyslexia

Barrie ON

"I highly recommend Martha Kovack's Intro to OG/Structured Literacy course! Martha skillfully dispelled the myths of past educational practice and laid out the key concepts gleaned from scientific research into the process of learning to read. She guided us through the framework of Structured Literacy and on to the practical application of working with students. I very much appreciated Martha's friendly, collegial manner and her willingness to listen to participants, tailoring sessions to meet our needs. This course with Martha is the best place to begin your journey to understanding Structured Literacy!

Diane Hammond
Retired school board curriculum coordinator & grandparent of child with dyslexia

Collingwood, ON

CLICK HERE to read the story of Joe and Ms. Kovack

"Your course was great! Exactly what I needed to help sort through my experience based knowledge and all the SOR information out there right now. Just hearing you explain and practically apply some of the terminology was all I really needed to be able to process all the great info that’s out there online."

Margie Riddell, B.A., B.Ed., OCT

Early Years Program Facilitator

Stayner, ON Canada

Hi Martha. Now that the dust has settled and I have had some time to reflect, I am beyond grateful that I discovered your training.

You gently guided me along while opening my eyes to the abundance of research that challenges everything I ever knew about teaching my students to read. You offered the perfect balance of research to support the work along with many different practical suggestions to use within my program right away. You created a safe atmosphere where I could openly reflect on my learning without ever feeling judged or criticized. Your sessions and homework tasks were engaging and reflective of our needs and questions. The sessions felt highly productive with numerous opporunties to see the various elements and practice them ourselves. You left us with ample resrources to keep the learning going. Although I am just at the beginning, your passion has been inspiring and led to other upcoming coursework opportunities. Sincerest thanks!

Julie Sandhar

Teacher, York Academy Care and Treatment Program, York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families

Richmond Hill, ON

Structured Literacy Success

In just over 18 months, this 11 year old non-reader went from feeling deeply distressed - thinking he was incapable of learning - to being able to read at grade level with ease, speed, and fluency. His mother noted that structured literacy lessons with me had been "truly transformational for him".

At the end of grade 7, this dyslexic student was struggling to read and spell simple cvc words. It was a painful journey, but structured literacy has drastically improved his ability to keep up in school, his desire to attend school, his confidence with his peers, and even his health.

More Structured Literacy Success

"Before, I just thought that it was just looking at the words and knowing what [they were]..."

Structured Literacy Makes a Difference!

This student in Grade 5 shares his thoughts and feelings about his struggles in school before and after structured literacy lessons. The difference that this makes in a child's life can change their whole attitude and trajectory in life. Two years after the Ontario Human Rights "Right to Read" inquiry recommendations, I am genuinely feeling hopeful (because I am seeing and hearing about so many changes in the general classroom at the K-2 level!) that fewer grade 4, 5, 6, 7, etc... students will have to go through years of feeling like they are failing.