Wilson Conference 2025
Our PCS team had an incredible time at #WilsonConference25! Four of our Wilson Practitioners attended this powerful event and had the opportunity to meet Ameer Baraka, actor, activist, and literacy champion, who signed copies of his inspiring book, Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia. They also had the opportunity to meet Barbara Wilson herself, co-founder of Wilson Language Training and a true leader in structured literacy!
Ms. Jill Lohner and Ms. Betta Risa, were officially pinned as Wilson Reading System® trainers during the conference! We are so proud of their hard work and dedication to our students and the science of reading.
Meet the Trainers
Betta -
“I joined Provident Charter School in 2017 as a Wilson Reading Teacher, and I have remained since then. In the intervening years, I have taught over 30 Wilson groups at Provident and 6 students independently as a tutor. I know that the program works if done with fidelity, and I have seen it have a powerful effect not only on a student’s decoding ability, but on their self-esteem and self worth. My goal in becoming a Wilson Credentialed Trainer is to coach teachers to use the Wilson Reading System® with fidelity, in order to maximize the effect that this program has for students.”
Jill -
‘I wanted to become a Wilson Credentialed Trainer because I have a passion for teaching structured literacy because it has truly allowed my students with dyslexia to access their full potential with phenomenal success in learning how to read and spell. I want to spread the wealth of knowledge to my fellow colleagues in a welcoming and attainable way, as reading intervention can be very daunting to those with little to no background knowledge. The Wilson Reading System® is an effective intervention that equips the teacher with the tools and knowledge to teach reading effectively!”
WRS Trainer Prerequisites:
3-day WRS Introductory Course
1-1 Practicum for Steps 1-6
+ 90 hours Online Course
1-1 Practicum for Upper Steps 7-12
+ 60 hours Online Course
Group Mastery Practicum with 4 Students on Steps 1-4
+3-day Training
1-year Internship to become a WRS Certified Trainer
Courses Offered
Wilson Reading System® (WRS) Introductory Course
This 3-day workshop provides participants with an overview of the WRS curriculum and serves as the prerequisite for enrollment in WRS Level I Certification. This course, delivered over three consecutive days, examines reading research and the five areas of reading in relation to children in grade two through adult with persistent phonological coding deficits. Learn more.
(16.5 Act 48 Hours)
Upcoming Training Dates
November 10-12
Training Location: VIRTUAL
If you are registering multiple registrants please contact us at wilson@providenteducation.org
Wilson Reading System® (WRS)
Level I Certification
w/ Web Practicum
The Wilson Reading System (WRS) Level I Certification with Web Practicum is designed to prepare teachers to effectively implement WRS Steps 1-6 with students who are reading and spelling below grade level as well as those diagnosed with a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia. All coursework is completed online. There are five online observations with a Wilson® Credentialed Trainer in addition to the coursework. Learn more.
Prerequisite: WRS Introductory Course within the past five years and Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field.
(90 Act 48 Hours)
Wilson Reading System® (WRS) Advanced Strategies for
MSL Group Course
This WRS Advanced Strategies for MSL Group Instruction Course allows participants to delve into the essential techniques and strategies to improve all aspects of the WRS small-group instruction through hands-on practice and discussion. This course prepares participants for enrollment in the WRS Group Mastery Practicum. Prerequisite: Completion of WRS Level I Certification
(15 Act 48 Hours)
Upcoming Training Dates
December 2-4
Training Location: Provident Charter School
1400 Troy Hill Rd - Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Please email for more information or to host a training.
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
Pre-registration with Provident Education Foundation is required for all training.
Payment is refundable up to 7 days prior to the event date, less a $25 processing fee.
Cancellations less than 1 week prior to the session will be refunded at 50% of tuition rate.
Cancellations less than 24 hours before the session will not be refunded.
While the Provident Education Foundation makes every effort to provide the training sessions on the dates as advertised, they are subject to change without notice. The Provident Education Foundation reserves the right to cancel or change a training session due to low enrollment or reasons beyond our control. We will attempt to notify affected registrants to reduce any inconvenience - the Provident Education Foundation is not liable for any expenses incurred due to cancellation.