PLD

Delivering PLD to Schools

At the heart of effective literacy education is the ability to break down complex concepts into clear, actionable teaching methods. My goal is to partner with schools to deliver professional development that transforms the way teachers approach Structured Literacy.

Professional Learning and Development

Unlock the Power of Effective Teaching

My mission is to provide schools with high-quality, tailored professional development that equips teachers to excel in Structured Literacy instruction. By breaking down the complexities of language into manageable, teachable components, I offer a practical, research-based approach to literacy that benefits every student.

Through personalized coaching sessions, I help educators master key literacy principles such as phonological awareness, vocabulary, morphology, syntax, and comprehension. By modeling effective teaching strategies and offering ongoing support, I ensure that each teacher feels confident in their ability to implement Structured Literacy in their classroom.

Let’s work together to create a customized PD plan that meets the unique needs of your school and transforms literacy outcomes for all learners.

Kia ora Marianne, I wanted to thank you for the outstanding session on Friday. Thank you for the rich, engaging, and insightful presentations on dyslexia, in-class interventions, handwriting, and your modeled "Code" lesson. Each session introduced multiple new learnings, and I appreciated how you challenged our staff’s thinking. Another highlight was hearing about your personal experience as a parent working alongside your son. Your insights gave us a genuine perspective into what parents experience. This allowed our teachers to reflect on how we can better assist parents in this journey. It was clear that you are an explicit and deliberate teacher, ensuring every minute in your classroom counts! Thank you again for such an enriching session. I look forward to working with you again next year.

Amanda Frater – Principal of Wadestown School

Cohort MOE Years 0-8 Structured Literacy PLD Workshops

As an MOE accredited and approved facilitator, Marianne is excited to offer Cohort Professional Development to various locations. This comprehensive PLD will consist of three face-to-face workshops combined with six 1.5 hour online sessions.

Workshop One: What is a Structured Literacy approach?

• Introduction and background to Structured Literacy, dispelling myths, and explaining the Science of
Learning behind Structured Literacy . We will also explore the elements of Structured Literacy.
• Comparing a Balanced or Whole Language approach to a Structured approach
• The Ladder of Reading
• Cognitive load theory
Vocab of Structured Literacy
• The importance of phonemic awareness – how to assess and how to teach
• Orthographic Mapping
• How to use a scope and sequence – any scope and sequence
• Decodable books
• Lesson plan – whole class, group and individual

Workshop Two: Spelling patterns of the English language

• Building teacher knowledge and confidence
• Learn about the patterns of the English language
• This increased knowledge will provide a pathway to confidently teach it in a structured literacy way
– systematically, cumulatively, explicitly and diagnostically
• Increase teacher knowledge around literacy terms such as syllable type, digraph, schwa,
diphthong, affixes and the alphabetic principle

Workshop Three: Reading Fluency, Morphology and Language Comprehension

• Fluency: what is it? how to teach it, how to assess it, and some practical ways to integrate it into
your classroom
• Language Comprehension: review of two guiding models – Simple View of Reading and
Scarborough’s Rope and explore the Language Comprehension strands (background knowledge,
vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning and literary knowledge)
• Gain practical activities you can immediately use in your education setting that covers the
decoding and language comprehension sides of the rope
• Assessment and getting started

Online Sessions

These sessions will explore key elements of writing instruction through the lens of Structured Literacy. Topics will include handwriting, teaching syntax, and strategies for scaffolding and delivering effective instruction in both fiction and nonfiction writing. Additionally, dedicated sessions will provide opportunities for educators to ask questions, share insights, and receive guidance to deepen and enhance their understanding of Structured Literacy practices.

Tailored Learning for Educators

Information on targeted and tailored PLD

The Ministry funds professional learning and development (PLD) to support schools with Year 0–2 staffing entitlement in delivering targeted, tailored teaching through a structured literacy approach (SLA). This PLD equips teachers with in-depth knowledge and skills in explicit, evidence-based instruction for Tier 2 and 3 interventions, supporting students with dyslexia and other literacy and language learning needs. It covers assessment practices, tools for monitoring progress, and sustainable change leadership, helping build in-school capability. Marianne brings extensive expertise in literacy intervention, ensuring educators gain the tools to meet the diverse needs of all ākonga.

Marianne brings a wealth of first-hand experience and expertise in literacy intervention.

Training includes:

• Developing teacher knowledge on structured literacy elements: phonology, orthography, morphology, handwriting, syntax, and vocabulary for spoken and written language, using explicit, systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic teaching.
• Understanding characteristics of specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and developmental language disorder (DLD).
• Observing model lessons and demonstrations of best practices.
• Engaging in guided practice with feedback to refine instructional skills in a supportive environment.
• Selecting, administering, and analysing screening, progress monitoring, and diagnostic assessments to ensure progress and acceleration.
• Planning and rehearsing teaching for targeted and tailored interventions aligned with student needs.
• Understanding the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework and its application to literacy instruction (Te Tuapapa o He Pikorua).

Participants gain access to:

• Lesson plans & teaching resources applicable to all scope and sequences
• Evidence-based assessment tools (eg DIBELS 8, including Progress Monitoring)
• Self-help video guides for additional support
• A network of educators through ongoing coaching and mentoring, and online discussion

For current locations of face to face PLD, please click on the button below

You were fab, knowledgeable, warm, and engaging and day flew by with variety in presentation and practical activities. Thanks Marianne, best and most practical course I’ve attended in some time. Thank you

RTLB

Really practical, packed heaps in, no time wasted, ideas I will actually use on my first day back teaching.

Classroom Teacher

I loved how you integrated the theory into the delivery, you had good knowledge and activities to take away for the classroom. The games were excellent, and the presentation was shared with all to reduce the need to write copious notes. It was great that there was time was allowed for questions at the end.

Deputy Principal

Furthered my understanding of how to plan, prepare and run tier 2&3 sessions. Practical, fun but applicable activities. Great presenter, clear speech, easy to follow and good explanations of each area covered.

Intervention Teacher

I love all the practical ideas and user-friendly ideas I can put into practice straight away. I also appreciated the 'a ha' moments when I could see why things happen the way they do when kids are learning.