WERC - Refining Explicit Instruction - Virtual (2026-2027) [Multi-Day Series]
Saturday, August 29, 2026 (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM) (CDT)
Description
This professional learning course equips educators with research-based strategies for delivering effective, structured instruction. Participants will explore and apply the elements of explicit instruction, integrate them into classroom practice, and reflect on their impact.
COURSE FORMAT
This is a multi-day professional learning series running throughout the 2026–2027 school year. Participants will engage in discussion/planning sessions, classroom implementation, reflection/planning sessions, independent reading/application, and course-based assignments.
PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES
- Describe the principles and elements of explicit instruction.
- Design and deliver lessons using explicit instruction strategies.
- Implement guided practice, feedback, and scaffolding effectively.
- Reflect on teaching practices and plan for continued growth.
AUDIENCE
K–12 educators, instructional coaches, administrators, and paraprofessionals.
REGISTRATION FEE
$100 per participant. The registration fee includes both course books, which will be mailed to participants.
CREDIT: This opportunity is offered for 2 optional graduate continuing education credits through VCSU (separate fee required).
ATTENDANCE / COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance is required. Participants who miss a session must contact the course facilitator regarding makeup requirements. Course deliverables include implementation/reflection activities and completion of course assignments.
PRESENTERS:
Amy Liebel, WERC, Chief Operations Officer
Savannah, Stringer, WERC, Operations Officer
Kaye Andersen, Math Instructional Consultant
NOTE
This is a multi-day series. Additional session dates and virtual access information will be shared with registered participants.
Book fee is included in the $100 WERC Registration Fee and will be mailed to the participants.
Attendees choosing to take it for credit will pay an addtional $120 to VCSU for two continuing education credits.
This is a multi-day professional learning series. Virtual access information and any face-to-face session locations will be shared with registered participants as applicable
Total Commitment: 32 hours
(16 hours face to face -sessions + 16 hours independent reading/application)
Participants must contact the course facilitator to make up any missed sessions.
| Session/Focus | Dates Time - 8:00 AM MT/9:00 AM CT |
| Kick-off: Overview of Course | August 29 |
| Session 1: Foundations of Explicit Instruction (Critical Content; Chunking Content) | Sept. 12 - Discussion/Planning Sept. 26 - Reflection/Planning |
| Session 2: Skills and Strategies | Oct. 3 - Discussion/Planning Oct. 17 - Reflection/Planning |
| Session 3: Knowledge and Vocabulary | Nov. 7 - Discussion/Planning Nov. 21 - Reflection/Planning |
| Session 4: Examples and Non-Examples | Dec. 5 - Discussion/Planning Dec. 12 - Reflection/Planning |
| Session 5: Organizing for Instruction | Jan. 16 - Discussion/Planning Jan. 30 - Reflection/Planning |
| Session 6: Frequent Responses | Feb. 6 - Discussion/Planning Feb. 20 - Reflection/Planning |
| Session 7: Delivery of Instruction | March 6 - Discussion/Planning March 20 - Reflection/Planning |
| Session 8: Providing Appropriate Pace | April 3 - Discussion/Planning April 17 - Reflection/Planning |
Curriculum Enrichment
Math
Professional Development
Teacher - Elementary
Teacher - Secondary
Administrator/Superintendent
Principal - Elementary
Principal - Secondary
Instructional Coach
Paraprofessional
Superintendent
Science of Math (SoM) Aligned