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“Reading is magic. Teaching reading is science. And it’s going to take a whole community.”

“We are all brain surgeons without knives.”

“Every word wants to be a sight word when it grows up.”

These are some of the phrases facilitator Celestina Lee shared during the OLC Spring Literacy Institute. Over two transformative days, May 29-30, 2025, literacy champions from across the Bay Area gathered to dive deep into the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy approaches that are transforming how we teach children to read.

Building Strong Foundations

The institute began with foundational principles of the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy, including an engaging exploration of reading myths versus facts that helped participants distinguish evidence-based practices from common misconceptions. Day one covered student profiles, phonological awareness, and phonics instruction with key assessments like Nonsense Word Fluency and Oral Reading Fluency.

Day two reinforced these concepts through high-frequency word instruction, introducing fresh approaches to irregular words that move beyond traditional memorization. Participants explored decodable texts and fluency strategies, engaged in comprehension conversations, and connected encoding with writing instruction. The institute concluded with collaborative lesson planning, allowing participants to apply their new knowledge immediately.

What Participants Valued Most

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants highlighting three key strengths:

• Hands-on, ready-to-use strategies: “I loved the hands-on approach! I plan to apply it by talking less, doing more, and finding fun and creative ways to complete drills.”
• Clear links to research: “The resources and research tied to each component, the content was so amazing—the what, how, and why.”
• Connection and collaboration across roles: Participants appreciated the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues from different organizations and roles

As one participant shared: “I really appreciate having the opportunity to come to the components and practice.the strategies right after learning them. 

By the Numbers: Measuring Impact

The institute’s success was reflected in compelling feedback data:

• 96% reported a deepened understanding of structured literacy routines
• 92% reported a significant increase in Science of Reading knowledge
• 92% reported that they could immediately use the information and strategies they gained at the institute.

A Community of Practice

This year’s institute brought together 41 dedicated literacy professionals representing diverse organizations across the region, including East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) literacy fellows at various levels, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) early literacy tutors and coaches, Children Rising program coordinators and volunteers, Tandem Partners early learning specialists, Alameda Unified literacy coordinators and directors, Collaborative Classroom SIPPS coaches, and staff from Families in Action, Girls Inc. of Alameda County, Words in the Wild, EBALDC, UC Berkeley BUILD Program, and other community organizations.

Moving Forward Together

The OLC Spring Literacy Institute represents more than professional development—it’s an investment in building a stronger, more connected literacy community. Participants left with practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and renewed energy to support young readers in their communities. The learning doesn’t stop here. OLC staff are planning continued opportunities based on participant feedback, including more peer learning sessions, deeper equity conversations, and continued practice spaces.

The collaborative spirit and diverse expertise shared over these two days will continue to ripple outward, reaching countless students who will benefit from more effective, science-backed literacy instruction.

For more information about OLC’s literacy initiatives and upcoming professional learning opportunities, visit the OLC website or contact the OLC team. Participants can access ongoing resources through the Oakland Reads website and OLC Video Library for continued learning and team development.