So, What’s OG?
OG is a framework for creating pathways of learning for people with language learning challenges like dyslexia. The OG approach provides direct, explicit instruction that is crafted for the individual and their current abilities.
The OG approach to creating pathways for learning is drawn from the legacy of a scientist and several educators who were willing to boldly and persistently press into the wilderness of what they didn’t know.
Dr. Orton, a neuropsychiatrist and pathologist, worked with patients who were struggling to learn to read. He collaborated with the educator and psychologist, Anna Gillingham, on a research fellowship about educating students with dyslexia.
Then Anna Gillingham worked with Bessie Stillman to make their findings applicable for teachers as found in The Gillingham Manual. The Orton Gillingham Academy branched off from the Orton Society, now known as the International Dyslexia Association, to maintain the educational application of Dr. Orton and Anna Gillingham’s work.
The OG approach has organized its practice around nine principles of instruction that is:
Diagnostic and Prescriptive
Individualized
Language-Based and Alphabetic/Phonetic
Simultaneous Multisensory
Direct and Explicit
Structured, Sequential, and Cumulative, but Flexible
Synthetic and Analytic
Cognitive
Emotionally Sound
Today educators continue to use the OG approach with powerful results to educate students who are struggling to read and write..
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Ellen O’Brien received training from three Fellows in the Academy while residing in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Ellen began her journey in OG with Corey Zylstra, and then Heather Redenbach trained Ellen at the Associate level. Karen Leopold oversaw Ellen’s Certified and Fellow training. Karen was trained by Diana King, a Founding Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA) who received her training from Anna Gillingham.
At Education Mavericks we are grateful for the legacy of educators and the communities they fostered to pass such valuable expertise forward.
Reach out today if you would like to explore beginning or advancing your OG training.