The Hoboken Board of Education recently honored 54 teachers for completing one of the most respected reading training programs in the country. The recognition took place on October 14, 2025, during the district’s regular board meeting, where the teachers were celebrated for finishing professional learning through the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA).
The Orton-Gillingham program is known for helping teachers understand how to teach reading in clear, structured, and hands-on ways. The teachers completed a rigorous training course and a year-long practicum, where they applied what they learned in real classrooms. Their training was led by Dr. Pledger Fedora, a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, who guided them through every step of the process.
- Fifty-four teachers in Hoboken earned Orton-Gillingham certification after completing 30–60 hours of training and a year-long practicum.
- The program, led by Dr. Pledger Fedora, supports the Science of Reading and builds stronger reading skills in classrooms.
- The certified teachers will begin using what they learned during the 2025–26 school year to improve literacy across the district.
Certified Educators Strengthen Hoboken’s Reading Instruction
Each teacher finished between 30 and 60 hours of lessons before beginning a full year of guided practice. After completing the program, they earned certification at both the Classroom Educator and Associate levels, showing that they met high standards in teaching literacy through multisensory and structured methods.
During the meeting, every educator was given a Certificate of Achievement by the board. The event celebrated their hard work and the district’s strong commitment to helping every student become a confident reader.
District Leaders Praise Teachers’ Dedication to Literacy
Assistant Superintendent Sandra Rodriguez-Gomez praised the teachers for their dedication, saying their success will influence how students learn in Hoboken for years to come. She said their certification goes beyond a personal achievement and stands as a pledge to their students. Through this program, the teachers have embraced the Science of Reading, a research-backed understanding of how children learn to read effectively.
Rodriguez-Gomez said that by using the Science of Reading, Hoboken teachers now have powerful tools that will help them teach reading more effectively for generations to come.
Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson also praised the educators for their dedication and effort. She explained that the success of Hoboken Public Schools starts in its classrooms, with teachers who go the extra mile to improve their teaching. Dr. Johnson said the 54 teachers spent an extraordinary amount of time learning the Orton-Gillingham approach, and their efforts will make a long-term difference in literacy across the district.
District leaders said the newly certified teachers will begin applying their skills during the 2025–26 school year. The goal is to use their new knowledge to improve reading lessons in every classroom and ensure that all students build strong literacy foundations.
Understanding the Orton-Gillingham Approach
The Orton-Gillingham approach is a well-known method for teaching reading, writing, and spelling. It was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Samuel T. Orton, a neuropsychiatrist, and Anna Gillingham, an educator. The method is structured, step-by-step, and multisensory, meaning it uses sight, sound, and touch to help students connect letters and sounds.
This approach is especially effective for students with dyslexia, but it benefits all learners by helping them understand how words work. Teachers using this method give direct and clear lessons, repeat key ideas, and use hands-on activities to help students practice and remember what they learn.
