District 7 Celebrates Educators Completing LETRS Training Through The Specific Learning Disability Support Project

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 proudly recognizes a dedicated group of educators who have successfully completed the comprehensive LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning program, made possible through support from the SLD Support Project.

This achievement reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to strengthening literacy instruction and ensuring that every student develops the foundational skills necessary for lifelong reading success.

LETRS is a nationally respected professional development program designed to deepen educators’ understanding of how students learn to read. Through this rigorous training, teachers engage in advanced study of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, key components aligned with the science of reading and the Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts.

The Specific Learning Disability Support Project is a federally funded grant project through the Illinois State Board of Education in partnership with Eastern Illinois University and Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education. The SLD Support Project aligns with IDEA’s purpose “…by supporting system improvement activities, coordinated research, personnel preparation, coordinated technical assistance, technology development and media services [to] ensure the effectiveness of efforts to educate children with disabilities.” This project aims to reduce the achievement gap and offer training and resources to meet the educational needs of all students with specific learning disabilities. It also aims to increase reading and math skills and decrease achievement gaps by expanding upon the development of previous training materials to address “specially designed instruction” for students with specific learning disabilities, including, but not limited to, dyslexia. Through this grant, District 7 has been able to provide high-quality, research-based professional development like LETRS to educators, strengthening both core instruction and targeted intervention practices.

“Completing LETRS training represents a significant investment of time, effort, and professional dedication,” said Tara Fox, Director of Curriculum and Instruction “We are grateful for the support of the SLD Project Grant, which has allowed our educators to engage in this transformative learning experience and further enhance literacy outcomes for all students.”

Participants completed a multi-year sequence of coursework, application activities, and collaborative learning experiences. Throughout the training, educators explored evidence-based strategies to support diverse learners, including those with characteristics of specific learning disabilities. The knowledge gained through LETRS will directly impact classroom instruction, intervention practices, and overall student literacy outcomes across the district.

“This work is about more than professional growth, it’s about transforming literacy experiences for our students,” said Becky Artime, District Literacy Coach. “LETRS has strengthened our ability to provide explicit, systematic instruction that meets the needs of all learners.”

District 7 educators who successfully completed the LETRS program include:

• Lisa Allen, Reading Specialist, Leclaire Elementary
• Becky Artime, District 7 Literacy Coach
• Janna Beckmann, Kindergarten Teacher, Leclaire Elementary
• Kelli Bishop, First Grade Teacher, Glen Carbon Elementary
• Stacy Brase, Second Grade Teacher, Midway Elementary
• Jessie Buehnerkemper, Kindergarten Teacher, Leclaire Elementary
• Shannon Funkhouser, Reading Specialist, Worden Elementary/ N.O. Nelson Elementary
• Lauren Hager, Reading Specialist, N.O. Nelson Elementary
• Paula Immken, First Grade Teacher, N.O. Nelson Elementary
• Kim Jones, First Grade Teacher, N.O. Nelson Elementary
• Brandy Marsh, First Grade Teacher, Goshen Elementary
• Bridget Steiner, Kindergarten Teacher, N.O. Nelson Elementary
• Abby Wible, Kindergarten Teacher, Glen Carbon Elementary
• Angela Zywicki, Second Grade Teacher, Glen Carbon Elementary

The district extends its appreciation to these educators for their dedication to continuous improvement and their unwavering focus on student success. Their efforts are an essential part of District 7’s mission of empowering each student to achieve personal success.

More like this:

Schmidt, Schweizer, Push Illinois Kindergarten Mandate at Springfield Press Conference

Mar 26, 2026

District 7 Announces Coordinator Appointments in Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction

Mar 30, 2026

Illinois Honors Lisa Patterson with Those Who Excel Award

Feb 23, 2026

Brighton First Grade Teacher Honored with Statewide Award

Apr 22, 2026

Alton Elementary School Principal JoAnne Curvey is "Redbird Through and Through" as She Prepares to Retire

Apr 3, 2026