Sarah Walters

This October, in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month, we are spotlighting Sarah Walters, IMSE District Instructor and Literacy Instructional Support Specialist at Troy City Schools. Sarah is also the co-author of Kit’s Reading Adventure, a children’s book that celebrates diverse learners and inspires children to embrace their strengths. 

With more than 18 years in education and deep expertise in literacy instruction, Sarah has been instrumental in advancing literacy practices in her community. We sat down with her to learn more about her background, her new book, and the impact IMSE has had in Troy City Schools.


Q: Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to focus on literacy?

Sarah: My journey started as an elementary educator, where I quickly realized how many students’ social-emotional struggles were tied to difficulties with reading. That inspired me to pursue advanced degrees and endorsements in literacy and school counseling. Over time, I became passionate about multi-sensory teaching methods and supporting students with dyslexia. Today, in my role as a literacy instructional support specialist, I get to combine my counseling background with literacy instruction to empower both students and teachers.

Q: Troy City Schools began its IMSE journey in 2022. What has implementation looked like so far?

Sarah: We started with training teachers in IMSE’s Orton-Gillingham Plus program in the spring of 2022. Since then, we’ve made incredible progress: 102 teachers have been trained in OG+, 11 in Phonological Awareness, and 54 in Morphology Plus. This school year, I will also lead training for 18 paraprofessionals in the Educational Assistant Course and 21 in OG+. The commitment from our district has been inspiring, and we’re already seeing growth in our literacy data that reflects the dedication of our teachers. The district’s commitment has already produced visible results in our literacy data. At the start of the 2024 school year, one elementary school found that 63.5% of incoming kindergarten students were not on track, according to the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. Despite this significant challenge, the impact of systematic, explicit instruction rooted in the science of reading was evident by spring, with 83% of students scoring at or above grade level. This growth underscores the powerful effect of empowered teachers and consistent use of research-based instruction.


Q: You recently co-authored Kit’s Reading Adventure. What inspired this project?

Sarah: Kit’s Reading Adventure came from a desire to give students a character they could see themselves in. Kit is a brave young girl who learns in her own unique way, and through her journey, readers discover the importance of perseverance and self-belief. The book highlights the power of multi-sensory learning while also celebrating diversity in how children learn. My hope is that it provides encouragement not just to students, but also to parents and educators who want to build confidence in their children.


Q: October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Why is awareness so important to you as an educator?

Sarah: Awareness is the first step toward action. Dyslexia is often misunderstood, and without early identification and proper instruction, students can struggle unnecessarily. By increasing awareness, we help educators, parents, and communities recognize the signs of dyslexia early and understand the evidence-based strategies that work. For me, it is about ensuring every child has the opportunity to unlock their potential.


Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of literacy in Troy City Schools?

Sarah: I am most excited about the growing number of educators who feel empowered with the tools to teach reading effectively. We’ve built incredible momentum with IMSE training, and it is creating a ripple effect across classrooms. When teachers feel confident, students thrive. I am also encouraged by the way our community is rallying around literacy, from professional development to family engagement. The future is bright for our readers in Troy City Schools.

We are proud to partner with educators like Sarah Walters who are making a lasting impact in their schools and communities. Through her leadership, Troy City Schools continues to grow its capacity to support all learners, and her work reminds us of the power of literacy to change lives. 

Join Sarah Walters and teachers from Troy City Schools for a live webinar on Sept. 30 at 4:30pm ET! See a demonstration of the IMSE OG+ Fidelity Companion’s interactive read-aloud routine and learn best practices for bringing this high-impact, evidence-based strategy to your classroom. Sign up here.

 


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