Encouraging Words

12/13/2025

Kick off the new year with The Reading League Oklahoma for a morning of learning, connection, and inspiration. Hear from Michelle Elia and Tammy Daniel, connect with fellow educators, and help strengthen literacy across Oklahoma.

Join The Reading League Oklahoma for Our January Literacy Event!
Kick off the new year with The Reading League Oklahoma as we focus on advancing literacy together. We’ll gather in person at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center for a morning filled with learning, inspiration, and community.
Event Highlights:
Keynote: Michelle Elia will present virtually, “Three Truths And A Lie: Teaching To The Reading Brain.”
Session: Tammy Daniel will share effective strategies for High Frequency Word Instruction.
Board Meeting: We’ll conclude the morning with our Board Meeting—everyone is welcome to observe and participate.
After our morning sessions, we invite you to join us for lunch at a local restaurant. This is a wonderful opportunity to continue the conversation, connect with fellow educators, and strengthen our literacy community.
Why Attend? Every registration brings us closer to achieving our mission: building a stronger, more connected literacy community across Oklahoma. Together, we can create brighter futures for our students by sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and fostering a culture of reading.

Register at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/join-the-reading-league-oklahoma-for-our-january-literacy-event

12/11/2025

Encouraging Words very own Laura Gautreaux is helping clear up a big misconception about reading challenges 👇📘
✨ Visual problems are not the main cause of reading difficulties.
✨ Vision therapy is not recommended for treating reading struggles.
✨Erratic eye movements reflect difficulty with word recognition.
What does make a difference?
✔️ Explicit, evidence-based reading instruction.
Huge thanks to Laura Gautreaux, MSJ doctoral candidate, and Jane Ashby, Ph.D., MSJ Reading Sciences professor, for breaking down the research behind the Policy Statement: Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision (Revised 2014).

07/10/2025

Looking forward to joining Decoding Dyslexia OK for this fun event!

Keep cool this summer with the coolest kids in Oklahoma! Make plans to join our DD-OK students and their families for our next event!

😎 Sunday, July 20th
😎 12:00-2:00 pm
❄️ Arctic Ice Arena
14163 N Kelley Ave, Edmond, OK
😎 $14 per skater

We will have experienced skaters to offer skating tips and skating walkers for support. Skaters should dress in layers with long socks and pants.

Spectators will want to wear a jacket or sweatshirt.

Student events are a great time for our kids to connect and meet other great kids with dyslexia throughout our state. It is also a great time for parents to connect with DDOK.

We know our kids are the coolest and can't wait to see you on the ice!
Let us know if you will be joining the fun in the comments.

06/25/2025

✨Fangirl Moment✨
Such a cool moment—our very own (soon to be Dr.) Laura Gautreaux got to meet Louisa Moats! A true legend in literacy and the science of reading. Truly a rock star moment for any educator. 📚🙌

Look at our very own instructor, Laura hanging out with Louisa Cook Moats

06/16/2025

📣📣This is a wonderful opportunity for Oklahoma educators. Hope to see you there!

📣 You're Invited!
Join us for The Reading Conversation: Voices and Views from Educators — an evening of food, fellowship, and powerful stories from the field.

Though our full-day symposium is postponed, we’re moving forward with this special evening designed for educators, leaders, and literacy advocates to gather, network, and grow.

🍽️ Light dinner included
🎤 Panel: Snyder Public Schools + HEROES Coach
💬 Real talk on real change in literacy

📍 11205 N May Ave, Suite B, OKC
📅 Thursday, June 19 | ⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
🎟️ Free to attend — seats are limited!

This is a great opportunity for OKMTSS Conference attendees and other Oklahoma educators to explore how the OKMTSS framework supports evidence-based literacy instruction—and to connect with peers doing the work across the state.

🔗 Register now: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/the-reading-conversation-voices-and-views-from-educators

06/12/2025

🌟 Exciting News from Encouraging Words! 🌟 We’re thrilled to welcome Baylee Henwood Harrison to our team!

Baylee brings a deep passion for helping children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties build confidence and foundational literacy skills. With her specialized training in structured literacy and individualized intervention, she’s already making a positive impact—and we couldn’t be more excited for families to get to know her!

📚 Baylee is currently accepting new students for the fall! Whether your child is just beginning their reading journey or needs expert support, she is here to help them grow every step of the way.

Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! 💙

06/11/2025

📚 Looking for ways to make reading time more meaningful with your child?
Check out this FREE Structured Shared Reading guide from the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia!

This helpful tool walks you through 5 simple steps to support your child’s reading growth at home—perfect for families looking to build strong, consistent reading habits together.

✅ Tips for picking the right books
✅ Strategies for shared reading
✅ Help with decoding tricky words
✅ Ideas to boost comprehension
… and more!

📄 Download the guide here!(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iItpXmYMyVtX8GsCrw-Fh1Wsq1oG15_r/view?usp=share_link)

Let’s make reading a joyful and productive part of every day! 💙📖

01/21/2025

So thankful for this wonderful resource from experts in our state!

Oklahoma's Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Handbook Update

Due to the changes with the Strong Readers Act, the Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Handbook has been updated to best reflect these changes. Please see the updated handbook and the supportive chart that indicates the change locations.

Link to access handbook:
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/OKSDE/2024/10/29/file_attachments/3050609/OK%20Dyslexia%20and%20Dysgraphia%20Handbook_11-24.pdf

Link to access chart listing updates:
https://sde.ok.gov/sites/default/files/Dyslexia%20and%20Dysgraphia%20Handbook%20Updates%20%28November%201%2C%202024%29%20%281%29.pdf

01/21/2025

Super fun event coming up! Hope to see you there!

10/26/2024

Laura Gautreaux and Susan Topping learning and leading!

Payne Education Center master trainers, Susan and Laura are meeting with national leaders in dyslexia and helping to shape best practices and standards!

10/26/2024

10/01/2024