By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

A Worcester County Public Schools literacy coordinator was honored earlier this year for effectively implementing reading and language arts instruction.

Cassidy Hamborsky, a coordinator of instruction with WCPS, was named a recipient of the Wilson Language Training’s 2024 Mary Ann Bonneau Administrator Award at Wilson’s National Conference in Boston last July.

The Worcester County educator was recognized for utilizing the Wilson Reading System (WRS), created by Wilson Language Training, in the area’s schools. The method is a Tier 3 Structured Literacy program designed for second—to twelfth-grade students with language-based learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia.

“WRS is designed for students … and adults with word-level deficits who are not making sufficient progress through their current intervention, have been unable to learn with other teaching strategies, or who require more intensive Structured Literacy instruction due to a … learning disability,” the Wilson Language Training website reads.

The program uses intervention techniques based on phonological-coding research and Orton-Gillingham principles to help the kids who need extra help grasp the tools necessary to become effective readers.

The Orton-Gillingham approach was designed in the 1930s for dyslexic students, known at the time as “word-blindness,” by neuropsychiatrist and pathologist Dr. Samuel T. Orton and educator and psychologist Anna Gillingham.

The method’s official website describes it as breaking “reading and spelling down into smaller skills involving letters and sounds and then builds on these skills over time.”

Hamborsky said WRS helps struggling learners comprehend the code of phonics through reading, spelling, writing, and decoding and encoding.

“It is a gold standard for intervention,” she added.

Hamborsky said WCPS also utilizes Wilson Language Training’s Fundations program for daily instruction for pre-k to third graders.

The educator noted that the method “provides systematic and explicit instruction every day in areas of phonics.” The teaching technique also includes letter formation and handwriting practice. Hamborsky said that the county has noticed student growth since its implementation.

The WCPS educator was honored with Wilson Language Training’s 2024 Mary Ann Bonneau Administrator Award for effectively implementing the systems and ensuring that all teachers are properly trained in the program.

The award is named after Bonneau, an educator from Worcester, Massachusetts, who passed away in May 2004. Bonneau worked for over 30 years as a special education teacher and chaired the Learning Disabilities Department.

According to the WCPS website, “Bonneau was an active member of the Wilson community and was involved in several area literacy associations, including the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Her dedication to helping children with disabilities was an inspiration to many.”

The WCPS honoree was nominated for the language-learning award by a literacy specialist from Wilson, who provided professional development in Worcester County last year. Hamborsky said she believes she was recognized for her dedication to her role as coordinator of instruction, which she was appointed to in 2019, and for creating the ability to read for all students.

“In my time in this position, I have worked hard to make sure we are implementing the structured literacy aspect of our reading language arts block with integrity and making sure teachers have the support to do so,” she said. “I have worked hard to make sure we are building sustainability. I have worked hard so teachers understand the ‘why’ behind structured literacy and why it is impactful for all readers. The award reflects the hard work of teachers who provide daily instruction. I am at the central office, but they are in front of students daily, making it happen.”