Wood County educators were recognized Tuesday night by the Wood County Board of Education for their completion of the LETRS (language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling) program. LETRS is a comprehensive professional development program designed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to effectively teach reading and spelling, focusing heavily on the science of reading and foundational literacy skills like phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — Educators from around Wood County were recognized Tuesday night by the Wood County Board of Education for their completion of the prestigious National Board Certification program.

This certification is considered the highest standard for accomplished teaching, and the county celebrated both newly certified and recently maintained National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs).

Candace Lewis, director of curriculum and instruction, and Joanna Mulligan, Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction, presented the awards which were sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Mulligan emphasized that National Board Certification is designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers, generating ongoing improvement in schools.

“Every student deserves to be taught by an accomplished teacher,” Mulligan said. “It’s the highest certification a teacher may obtain. In addition to being the most respected one,”

The board also recognized teachers for their completion of the two-year LETRS (language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling) program. LETRS is a comprehensive professional development program designed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to effectively teach reading and spelling, focusing heavily on the science of reading and foundational literacy skills like phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Ashlee Beatty described the program as a “transformative journey” that empowers teachers with deep knowledge to help all students become successful readers and writers. She said participating teachers demonstrated an “unwavering commitment” through extensive study, reflection, and application of the LETRS curriculum.

“Not only did they make the personal investment in their professional growth, but through their new knowledge, they will make a lasting impact on the literacy development of every student they teach,” Beatty said.

Lisa Wilson, a first grade teacher at Madison Elementary, said initially she had trouble explaining the program to her non-teacher friends, who didn’t understand its significance.

However, she said she soon realized that LETRS is far more than just a passing trend. She drew an analogy between the program and a well-designed outfit, where the “bows” or trendy elements serve a deeper, more purposeful function.

“This training has a focus with essential evidence-based strategies that tie everything together, and you see it as you go, as you use it, as you implement things,” Wilson said.

She said the program has empowered her and her colleagues to better understand the science of how the brain works in conjunction with the different skills needed for reading. She described the curriculum as providing “actionable tools” that required hands-on application in the classroom, rather than just reading about the concepts.

Wilson noted that the program’s research-based methods have helped her support both struggling and capable readers in her class. She shared one example of an activity, where students enjoyed “calling out words like you’re calling your dog,” that has become a lasting part of her literacy instruction.

Overall, she emphasized that the program has transformed the way she and other teachers approach literacy education, ensuring students receive a strong foundation to thrive academically.

“This training assures all the classroom teachers, I think I can speak for everybody, we’re not just well prepared, but pretty laser focused on literacy outcomes, giving students the strong foundation they need to thrive academically,” Wilson said.

Beatty said the district has completed the first cohort of the program and is now expanding it, with 54 teachers finishing the first year of the second cohort and 57 starting the third cohort this year. She said the program’s success in Wood County has even inspired the state to offer LETRS to all educators in the state.

“I like to think, because of our cheerleading for LETRS, and some of the data we have been able to present, the West Virginia Department of Education is offering LETRS to all educators in the state of West Virginia,” Beatty said. “And we like to think that we had a little bit of inspiration there, right? So it is making waves in good ways for kids.”

Board members praised those teachers who have gone outside of the classroom to expand their own knowledge by becoming a NBCT or completing the LETRS program..

“I’d just like to say how nice it was to recognize the teachers who continue to improve their teaching to help their students,” Board Member Judy Johnson said. “These teachers have spent countless hours outside the classroom, and we appreciate you so much for that time and energy you have put in.”

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com