Reading ASSIST Institute - Unlocking the written word... one sound at a time

Professional Development — Train with the Experts

RAI is committed to bringing area educators the most up to date information regarding research and best practices in teaching reading.  RAI’s successful Train with the Experts Series brings nationally renowned authors, researchers and experts in the field of reading to train teachers, reading specialists and tutors in the latest evidence-based instructional strategies.  

Our next Train with the Experts Speakers are:

Joan Sedita, M.Ed.

Joan Sedita is the founding partner of Keys to Literacy, a literacy professional development organization based in MA. For 35 years, Joan has been an experienced educator and nationally recognized teacher trainer. She has authored three content literacy professional development programs (Key Comprehension Routine, Key Vocabulary Routine, ANSWER Key to Open Response) and a K-12 district literacy planning model (Keys to Literacy Planning).

Beginning in 1975, she worked for 23 years at the Landmark School, a pioneer in the development of literacy intervention programs. As a teacher, principal, and director of the Outreach Teacher Training Program at Landmark, Joan developed expertise, methods, and instructional programs that address the literacy needs of students in grades 4-12. Joan was one of the three lead trainers in MA for the Reading First Program and is a LETRS author and trainer. She is also an adjunct instructor at Endicott College and Fitchburg State College. Joan received her M.Ed. in Reading from Harvard University and her B.A. from Boston College.

Lucy Hart Paulson, Ed.D., CCC-SLP

Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson is a speech and language pathologist and literacy specialist with years of experience working with young children and their families in public school, Head Start, private, and university settings. Currently, she is chair of the Communicative Sciences and Disorders Department at The University of Montana sharing responsibilities for teaching, supervising, research, and outreach. 

Lucy presents a unique and broad-based perspective blending areas of language and literacy together resulting in effective and engaging language-based literacy interventions for children. She has provided professional development for a variety of audiences across the United States and internationally. Lucy is the lead author of the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) for Early Childhood Educators, Building Early Literacy and Language Skills, a resource and activity guide for young children, and also for Good Talking Words, a social communication skills program for preschool and kindergarten.