2026 Professional Development Workshop Offerings

IRW’s team offers a menu of professional development workshops for educators, held at your school, library, or local meeting place. These workshops are intended for up to 30 participants. Find details below, and contact us to learn more!

1. Roots of Reading: Building Emergent Literacy Skills in Children

Explore evidence-based language and early literacy strategies for use with young children. The four workshops below focus on the foundational literacy skills that support children in learning to read. 

These workshops were developed from the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program, part of the Institute for Education Sciences:

  1. Print Knowledge
    Explore what print knowledge is, why it is essential for early literacy development, and strategies for teaching print concepts through small-group instruction.
  2. Phonological Awareness
    Discover how phonological awareness develops, why it matters, and examples of effective sound awareness instruction. 
  3. Vocabulary
    Learn how young children develop vocabulary and explore ways to help children learn, understand, and use new words.
  4. Oral Language
    Examine the role of oral language in literacy development and learn ways to strengthen children’s language skills through conversations and peer-to-peer interactions.

Audience: For preschool and kindergarten teachers and preservice teachers.

Time commitment: Each workshop is designed as a 2-hour session and can also be expanded into a two-part series. Workshops may be offered individually or as a complete series, and they can be taught in any order through discussion, hands-on learning, related readings, and extension activities. 

Workshop Facilitator: Celine Martin, IRW Literacy Coordinator

Workshop Flyer

2. The Fun and Fundamentals of Storytime

Learn how to create and present engaging, developmentally appropriate storytimes for children ages 3-5. This workshop introduces the fundamentals of storytime, including fun and interactive ways to share books, support early literacy practices, and make connections to the Maine Early Learning and Development Standards.

Audience: For preschool and kindergarten teachers, preservice teachers, and high school students in an ECE track.

Time Commitment: By the end of this 2-hour workshop, participants will be able to describe the importance of reading aloud to young children and demonstrate effective read aloud techniques that incorporate movement, songs, and play to support early learning. 

Workshop Facilitator: Celine Martin, IRW Literacy Coordinator

Workshop Flyer

3. Building Visual Literacy Through Picture Books

Picture books are powerful tools for helping students think critically, make inferences, and construct meaning beyond the written word. In this interactive 2-hour workshop, educators will explore ways to teach visual literacy, helping students  “read” illustrations as thoughtfully as they read text.

Participants will discover ways to guide students in noticing visual details, interpreting artistic choices, and using illustrationsto deepen comprehension and spark discussion. In today’s image-rich world, visual literacy is an essential skillsfor developing thoughtful, engaged readers.  Join us as we explore the stories that pictures tell and discover how picture books can enrich literacy learning.

Audience: For Pre-K–5 teachers and librarians, preservice teachers, and high school students in an ECE track.

Time commitment: 2 hours.

Workshop Facilitator: Courtney Waring, IRW Executive Director

Workshop Flyer

4. Graphic Novels: Reading Beyond Words

Graphic novels are a great way to engage students in storytelling and visual literacy. In this hands-on workshop, educators will explore the art of sequential narrative and how words and images work together to tell a story. Participants will practice “reading” pictures, examining how illustrators use composition, perspective, pacing, and visual details to convey meaning, and exploring a diverse selection of graphic novels for young readers.

Teachers will leave with new strategies for helping students analyze visual stories, strengthen comprehension, and create their own sequential narratives in the classroom.

Audience: For grades 3–8 teachers and librarians, preservice teachers.

Time Commitment: 2 hours.

Workshop Facilitator: Courtney Waring, IRW Executive Director

Workshop Flyer

Schedule a Workshop

IRW’s professional development workshops typically carry a presenter and travel fee of $750 or $500 for Zoom workshops. For in-person workshops with more than 30 participants or which require more than 2 hours of travel, additional fees may apply. Please see details below.

Virtual Workshops

  • Virtual workshops are offered via Zoom and are approximately 2 hours in length. Sessions may be presented as one 2-hour workshop or divided into two shorter sessions to accommodate participants’ schedules.
  • Zoom meetings can be hosted by either IRW or the organizing institution. There is no limit on the number of participants.
  • Fee: $500 per workshop

In-person Workshops 

  • Workshops are approximately 2 hours long and designed for groups of up to 30 people.  
  • Workshops are available throughout Hancock and Washington Counties, Maine. Requests outside our service area may be accommodated and may incur additional travel expenses, including mileage and lodging.
  • Fee: $750 per workshop

Contact Celine Martin, IRW Literacy Coordinator, to receive a custom quote for your workshop and to discuss our team’s availability.

300+
Teachers Served (& Counting!)
50
Workshops Offered to Date

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