Supporting WitW Teaching Fellows
Fellows are educators who wish to cultivate deep(er) expertise in literacy. The WitW Foundation is critical to supporting access to this transformative teaching and learning experience.
What is a Teaching Fellowship?
The Words in the Wild Teaching Fellowship is a 1 or 2-year paid teaching and learning experience designed to immerse educators in the world of teaching reading as a science.
Fellows receive specialized training from our staff and well-respected early literacy researchers and educators outside of our organization.
With the support of the foundation, our teaching fellows receive continual professional development and weekly opportunities for goal-setting, reflection, guidance, and support within our tight-knit learning community.
Teaching Fellows work with elementary students, families, community members, and fellow professionals from a strengths-based perspective, even adopting this skill to use for self-reflection and evaluation.
Fellows deliver reading and writing instruction in several learning environments including school-based small group (WordLab), 1:1 tutoring and educational therapy, enrichment, and our unique Summer Camp program. Under the supervision of staff learning specialists, Fellows gain direct experience delivering 1:1 intensive reading and writing intervention for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, processing disorders, and other neurodiversity.
Fellows grow within our community of learners as they foster positive early literacy experiences for children and their families, forming a strong foundation for life-long learning for these young readers and writers.
“I felt totally welcomed into this practice, supported, and guided in my learning. It’s hard to overstate how grateful I have been to have a professional learning community I could collaborate with, talk with in-depth about instruction, and feel safe and supported to try something new – something I knew had been fiercely vetted, researched, and practiced with fidelity by trusted colleagues. I have valued this fellowship so much, and am so grateful for the opportunity!”
- Bethany Hilliard, Former Teaching Fellow
Support literacy learning with a tax-deductible donation. All donations directly support the WitW Fellowship program.
“Being a Teaching Fellow for Words in the Wild has given me the unique opportunity to practice educational therapy and learn valuable skills that I wouldn’t have the chance to learn elsewhere. I have gained so many skills, experiences, and knowledge about teaching and I love this organization with my whole heart!”
— Ella Holton-McCoy, Teaching Fellowship Graduate
Intensive, ongoing training on teaching reading as a science, especially to emerging readers
Fellow-led public programs (like Storytime) that bring free, fun, and meaningful literacy experiences and resources to families in our community.
Experience leading literacy enrichment programs for small groups of elementary students
Experience delivering 1:1 intensive intervention for students with special needs
Emphasis on teaching through a strengths-based and anti-racist approach
Access to resources, activities, and lessons which focus on both literacy and nature studies
Support and guidance within a friendly community of professionals
Competitive hourly wage
The Foundation Supports:
“I’ve been a teacher for 16 years, but working as a Teaching Fellow with Words in the Wild has forever changed the way I approach literacy instruction. This program challenged me to look at reading instruction through an entirely different lens, one that is truly strengths-based, inquiry-driven, and absolutely joyful for students and teachers alike.”
- Lindi Shepard, Teaching Fellowship Graduate