The Evolution of a Training Program on Mental Health and Dyslexia

Abstract

Our region faces many challenges, including how to support students with mental health and reading barriers, who are at risk for not thriving in school and beyond. Recently, Texas mandated that teachers become more proficient at identifying these challenges. Improved awareness leads to better identification and support. As a result, teacher preparation programs were tasked with improving their curriculums without adding time to degree-completion. Well-designed micro-lessons within modules are a solution. They can be diversified to address educators' needs at different professional stages and roles. They also can support adults in gaining traction in problem-solving together. Attaining this collective state of awareness-to-action remains a challenge for those who train and develop the workforce. Yet urgent problems of practice remain—threatening progress in achieving a more equitable educational system. This chapter explains how the authors managed this improvement work.