This course has been developed to introduce structured literacy for early childhood educators. Early childhood is a critical learning period for success in developing future reading and writing skills. Understanding the Science of Reading, or how we learn to read, sets the stage to provide in-depth knowledge and tools that preschool teachers can use with any well-designed early literacy program.
Norma Bender is an Early Childhood Instructional Coach with the Central Region Education Cooperative (CREC). She earned her Associates in Early Childhood Education and Family Support in 2000, Bachelors in Academic Studies in 2004, and her Masters in Elementary Education in 2009 from Western New Mexico University. Norma has over 24 years in Early Childhood Education. She is currently an ECIC for the districts of Cobre, Silver, Reserve, Deming, and Quemado.
Jennifer Marez has over 20 years of experience as an educator in Pre-school, Kindergarten, and 1st grade. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University and a New Mexico and Texas license in Early Childhood Education and a K-8 Elementary License. She also has a TESOL and ESL license with a great deal of experience working with ELL students. She is currently the Early Childhood Instructional Coach for 5 districts where she has found the opportunity to share her love and passion of teaching and learning with her teachers.
