The Bermuda College will host a virtual conference on Saturday aimed at helping educators to better teach reading, especially to primary school students.

The conference, entitled “Reading Success for Every Child: Teaching Reading is Rocket Science”, is free and will focus on best practices for teaching reading in the classroom. It is based on scientific research on how the brain learns to read, but specifically how children learn to read.

The conference will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will feature Dr. Tamu Lucero, superintendent of Stamford public schools in Connecticut and Dr Margie Gillis, author of Teaching Reading is Rocket Science, an academic language therapist. They will join local panellists representing the Ministry of Education, and a PTA parent.

Dr Phyllis Curtis-Tweed, Bermuda College vice president of academic and student affairs, who is the conference moderator, said: “I strongly encourage educators and administrators, but specifically primary school teachers, to register for this free event and to take advantage of the evidence-based data that will be presented on best practices in developing reading literacy. Parents and grandparents who are concerned about developing reading skills in young children will also benefit from this event”.

Teachers who participate can earn professional development units from Bermuda College which can then be credited toward professional development targets.

Visit the College website for furher details.