This summer, Wilson Language Training® hosted its first in-person Wilson® Trainer Meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began. More than 200 Wilson® Credentialed Trainers (W.C.T.) gathered at the beautiful Seaport Hotel in Boston, MA, for three uplifting days of learning, laughter, a few tears, and meaningful connection.
Friends New and Old
Trainers had the opportunity to meet Wilson’s new CEO, Keri Dixon, and learn about her journey. Keri, a graduate of Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), previously held an executive role leading more than 1,000 staff.
Participants also learned from one another during issue-focused breakout sessions and gathered valuable information about program implementation and instruction. Wilson staff listened and offered feedback for specific scenarios, creating a positive atmosphere of mutual support.
In light of many states’ recent science-backed dyslexia legislation, Barbara Wilson gave a keynote address explaining the science of reading and its application to Wilson programs. This discourse highlighted how Wilson’s explicit instruction in both phonemic awareness and alphabetic principle effectively help students decode words and understand the rules of the English language. With repetition over time, these pathways, or orthographic maps, are strengthened and reading becomes automatic and effortless.
Keynote Speaker
Steve Pemberton, bestselling author of The Lighthouse Effect, shared the heartwarming story of people who supported him throughout his challenging childhood—his personal lighthouses. In his talk, he encouraged everyone to remember the people whose kindness helped light the way for them and to in turn be a lighthouse for others.
Trainer Class Graduate Pinning
We had a lot to celebrate at this year’s Trainer Meeting. Barbara pinned our largest graduating Trainer Class yet! Attendees celebrated 19 newly credentialed graduates of the Trainer Class of 2022. In the same ceremony, Barbara pinned the combined 19 graduates of the 2020 and 2021 Trainer Classes. These three graduating classes completed their trainer internships in largely virtual settings due to pandemic lockdowns and school closures. Knowledgeable and experienced trainers are crucial for the successful implementation of Wilson programs with fidelity. We are sending 38 highly qualified trainers into the field to meet the increasing need for reading intervention nationwide. Congratulations to the graduates!
Save the Dates!
Join the fun and learning next year! The Wilson® Summer Conferences will take place July 12–15, 2023, at the Seaport Hotel in Boston, MA and online. This event combines the Wilson® Trainer Meeting, Wilson Reading System® (WRS) Certified Teacher Conference, and the Fundations® Conference. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for personal and professional growth while bonding with fellow educators. We look forward to seeing you!
For more information about the Wilson Summer Conferences, visit our Events page. Updates and registration information will be added soon.