Date: 12/17/2025 Time: 3:45-4:45 Location: internet Type: Webinar
Price: TBD
Description
This monthly community of practice series aims to build educators’ skills in implementing Comprehensive Literacy for All methods into daily classroom instruction. Grounded in the influential work of Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver, this series invites educators to examine research, explore strategies, and gain practical tools to support students with diverse needs—including those with extensive support needs and complex communication profiles.
Each session will include a focused article or research highlight, collaborative discussions, and actionable strategies to enhance literacy instruction through inclusive and evidence-based practices.
Session 1: Emergent Writing – Focus on Function
Discover current research on emergent writing and dive into Jane Farrall’s blog, Emergent Writing: Focus on Function. We’ll explore how to create meaningful, everyday writing opportunities for students with complex needs.
Session 2: Alphabet and Phonological Awareness
Learn evidence-based strategies for teaching alphabet knowledge and phonological awareness to students who use AAC. This session draws on insights from Jane Farrall’s 2025 AGOSCI presentation: Phonics Implementation with People who Need AAC: What Does the Evidence Say?
Session 3: Alternative Pencils
Explore the research behind alternative pencils and how they support access to writing for students with significant support needs. We’ll highlight Gretchen Hanser’s work and share practical ways to implement these tools in inclusive classrooms. (Special guest Gretchen Hanser may join us!)
Session 4: Emergent Reading & the Simple View of Reading
Unpack how the Science of Reading connects to instruction for students with significant disabilities. We’ll use Jane Farrall’s interpretation of the Simple View of Reading to guide meaningful emergent literacy instruction.
Sessions 5–9: Teaching and Measuring Writing Progress
In this series, we’ll explore Jane Farrall’s Writing With All Tools Continuum—a 35-point scale designed to measure writing progress from emergent to conventional levels. This tool supports tracking small gains using any writing method, including handwriting, keyboards, flip charts, or AAC. We’ll focus on how to apply the continuum to assess and guide instruction for diverse learners.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to implement 3 comprehensive literacy strategies to support diverse learners in their classrooms.
- Participants will be able to enhance literacy engagement through practical tools and inclusive practices.
- Participants will be able to foster a literacy-rich environment by integrating resources presented and collaborative discussions.
Presenters
Sarah Kinsella, MA CCC-SLP
Sarah Kinsella is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and supporting students with complex communication needs. She holds a Master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and has worked in the public school setting for 11 years. She also served as the district Assistive Technology Specialist for 7 years, working with multidisciplinary teams and families to support students with a variety of Assistive Technology and AAC needs. She is passionate about her field and thankful for the students with whom she works as they help her learn and grow along the way.
Heidi G. Brislin, MS-OTR/L
Heidi G. Brislin, MS-OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist for the Edmonds School District and the Olympic Education Service District 114 in Washington. She owns a private practice, Heidi Brislin OT Consulting in Kingston, WA, where she provides professional development sessions, as well as family and team consultations and training. Heidi has extensive experience in school-based practice and outpatient adult rehab settings. She is a graduate of Boston University and the University of Washington. She is passionate about helping teams create authentic learning opportunities for all children, improving literacy skills, switch access, power mobility, and helping children become autonomous communicators.
Contact
Email Sue Wright at the SETC office
Zoom Link
Clock hours for this webinar and others in this series are available from ESD105 for a small fee. The following Professional Development Enroller link provides more information about clock hours: pending