FAQ
Whether you are a classroom teacher ready to deepen your literacy practice or a school or district leader exploring professional development options, you will find answers to the most common questions below.
For Classroom Teachers and Literacy Coaches
Questions about online courses, membership, and what to expect from EA’s professional development.
What is structured literacy, and why does it matter for my classroom?
Structured literacy is an approach to reading instruction grounded in the science of reading — the body of research that tells us how the brain learns to decode, recognize, and comprehend written language. It is explicit, systematic, and sequential, meaning skills are taught directly, in a logical order, with nothing left to chance or assumed.
For classroom teachers, structured literacy matters because it works, especially for students who struggle with reading, including those with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences. It also works for students who are on grade level but would benefit from stronger phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension instruction built on a solid foundation.
What online professional development courses does EA Literacy and Learning offer?
EA Literacy and Learning offers online professional development courses designed specifically for classroom teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists. Courses are grounded in the science of reading and structured literacy principles, and are built to be immediately applicable — the strategies you learn on Tuesday, you can use on Wednesday.
Current and upcoming course offerings are listed on the Professional Development page. If courses are not yet open for enrollment, you can join the waitlist to be notified when registration opens.
What is included in an EA Literacy and Learning membership?
Membership gives educators ongoing access to a growing collection of practical, research-based resources designed to strengthen literacy instruction throughout the school year. Members can explore an extensive children's book library with instructional supports, downloadable classroom resources, videos for just-in-time professional learning, assessment tools and resources, and a carefully curated collection of research summaries that connect evidence to everyday classroom practice.
More than a one-time professional development experience, membership is an ongoing resource for educators who want reliable, evidence-based support. Whether you're planning instruction, looking for classroom-ready materials, exploring current research, or searching for practical solutions, you'll have trusted resources available whenever you need them, along with a professional community committed to improving literacy outcomes for all students.
Are EA Literacy and Learning’s courses self-paced?
Yes. EA’s online professional development courses are designed to be completed at your own pace, on your own schedule. You are not locked into a cohort timeline or a live session requirement. This makes EA’s courses particularly useful for teachers who need flexibility — whether you are squeezing in professional learning during a planning period, after school, or over the summer.
Will I earn continuing education credits or CEUs for completing a course?
Information about continuing education credit availability is included in individual course descriptions on the Professional Development page. If you have questions about whether a specific course qualifies for CEU credit in your state or district, please reach out before enrolling and we will do our best to provide clear information.
I am a literacy coach, not a classroom teacher. Is EA’s professional development relevant to my role?
Yes. EA Literacy and Learning’s courses and consulting services are well-suited for literacy coaches and reading specialists, not just classroom teachers. Coaches often benefit from deepening their own structured literacy knowledge so they can model lessons, lead book studies, observe with precision, and give targeted feedback. Several of EA’s resources and course offerings are designed with the coaching role in mind.
For School and District Leaders
Questions about consulting engagements, credentials, service area, and how to get started.
What does EA Literacy and Learning do?
EA Literacy and Learning is a structured literacy professional development and consulting organization serving K–12 schools and districts nationwide. Founded by Francine Swickheimer, Ed.D., EA provides onsite coaching and consulting for buildings and districts, as well as online professional development courses for classroom teachers and literacy coaches. All services are grounded in the science of reading and designed to translate research directly into classroom practice.
What credentials does Francine Swickheimer hold?
Francine Swickheimer, Ed.D. holds a Doctorate in Reading and Literacy and is a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist (SLDI).Since beginning her career in education in 1997 including roles as Director of Literacy and Coordinator of MTSS and RtI. She is also a Florida Regional Reading Teacher of the Year and Golden Apple Award recipient. These credentials reflect both deep academic preparation and extensive on-the-ground leadership in literacy at the school and district level.
What does a consulting engagement with EA Literacy and Learning look like?
Consulting engagements are customized to the needs of your building or district. A typical engagement begins with a needs assessment — an honest look at where your teachers are in their structured literacy knowledge and what instructional systems are currently in place. From there, Francine works with your team through a combination of onsite professional development sessions, coaching cycles, and follow-up support designed to build sustainable practice, not just one-time training.
Engagements range from single-day onsite workshops to multi-visit implementation partnerships. The format, duration, and focus are determined collaboratively based on your school’s goals, grade levels, and existing curriculum.
How is EA Literacy and Learning different from large platforms like LETRS or IMSE?
EA Literacy and Learning is a boutique consulting and professional development organization — not a district-wide licensing platform. That distinction matters in practice.
Large platforms like LETRS offer standardized professional development at scale, which works well for districts seeking a consistent, widely adopted program. What they cannot offer is the kind of personalized, relationship-centered support that comes from working directly with a highly credentialed consultant who knows your school, your teachers, and your students over time.
EA’s approach is built for schools and districts that want professional learning to actually change what happens in classrooms — not just check a compliance box. Francine works with a limited number of partner schools to ensure that depth of engagement is possible.
Can EA Literacy and Learning work with Title I schools or schools with limited professional development budgets?
Yes. EA Literacy and Learning has experience working with Title I schools and understands the budget and scheduling constraints that come with that context. We are committed to making high-quality, research-grounded professional development accessible to schools that need it most.
If you are a Title I coordinator or principal with questions about pricing, flexible engagement formats, or how to structure a proposal for your district, we encourage you to reach out. We are happy to have a conversation before any commitment is made.
How do I get started or request a proposal?
The best first step is a conversation. Reach out through the contact form on this site or email Francine directly at francine@ealiteracyandlearning.com. In your message, it helps to share a brief description of your school or district, the grade levels you serve, and what you are hoping to address through professional development or consulting.
From there, Francine will follow up to schedule a call, learn more about your context, and discuss whether EA’s services are the right fit for your needs.
Let's Connect!
Whether you're a classroom teacher, literacy coach, school leader, district administrator, or educational organization, I would be honored to partner with you in strengthening literacy instruction and supporting meaningful student growth. Together, we can bridge the gap between research and classroom practice.