The Reading League Illinois

The Reading League Illinois is a state chapter of the national not-for-profit The Reading League.

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Save the date for TRL-IL In-Person Conference:
November 9, 2026, in O’Fallon, IL

This year’s theme is “The Complexities of Comprehension,” featuring Brookins, Shanahan, Truckenmiller, and Wijekumar.

Registration details coming soon!
#TRLIL #ScienceOfReading

[Elana Gordon @mommagordon2]

What I learned about the value of implementing a Direct Instruction program like Reading Mastery this year & what continues to hold true about speech to print (EBLI)
🧵link below @D99Cicero @sstollar6 @ReadingLeagueIL @MrZachG @NIFDI

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

TRL-Illinois Exclusive Coffee Chat!

We’ll discuss “Implementing the Text Structure Strategy in Your Classroom,” by Dr. Kay Wijekumar, and discuss about how to translate the research and ideas into classroom practice.

📅 May 23rd
⏰ 9–10 AM
🔗 https://t.co/S0WSEfJlLB

[Elana Gordon @mommagordon2]

End of the year reflection on I story tion that had a strong impact on student learning this school year . Link in 🧵
@D99Cicero @ReadingLeagueIL @Doug_Lemov @SoRclassroom @freddyreads @AnjanetteMcNee2

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

TRL-Illinois Exclusive Coffee Chat!

We’ll discuss “Implementing the Text Structure Strategy in Your Classroom,” by Dr. Kay Wijekumar, and discuss about how to translate the research and ideas into classroom practice.

📅 May 23rd
⏰ 9–10 AM
🔗 https://t.co/S0WSEfJlLB

[etomita @emytomita]

Students don’t just “find” the main idea as if it’s waiting in a packet in the text. In reality, they "generate it" by gathering key details, connecting ideas, and putting the pieces together into a clear understanding #mainidea @KayWije 🔥💡authentic vs. manufactured texts

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Free TRL IL webinar w/ Dr. @KayWije

Dr. Wijekumar will share insights about the KAT framework and its implications for improving reading comprehension through attention to text structures.

May 14, 26, 7–8 PM CT

🔗 Register: https://t.co/447njPVhIh

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Free TRL IL webinar w/ Dr. @KayWije

Dr. Wijekumar will share insights about the KAT framework and its implications for improving reading comprehension through attention to text structures.

May 14, 26, 7–8 PM CT

🔗 Register: https://t.co/447njPVhIh

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Free TRL IL webinar w/ Dr. Wijekumar

Dr. Wijekumar will share insights about the KAT framework and its implications for improving reading comprehension through attention to text structures.

May 14, 26, 7–8 PM CT

🔗 Register: https://t.co/447njPVhIh

[Elana Gordon @mommagordon2]

Thrilled to close out season 4 w/ Precision Teaching & Daniel Caroll
S4E22: link in 🧵⬇️
Thank U to the amazing educators & experts that joined this season 2 share their knowledge & practice
@MrZachG @D99Cicero @ReadingLeagueIL

[Elana Gordon @mommagordon2]

So proud to be introducing a Cicero educator. Meet Erin Jensen & read her story here⬇️link in 🧵
@D99Cicero @ReadingLeagueIL @donata_heppner

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Free TRL IL webinar w/ Dr. Wijekumar

Dr. Wijekumar will share insights about the KAT framework and its implications for improving reading comprehension through attention to text structures.

May 14, 26, 7–8 PM CT

🔗 Register: https://t.co/447njPVhIh

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Free TRL IL webinar w/ Dr. @KayWije

Dr. Wijekumar will share insights about the KAT framework and its implications for improving reading comprehension through attention to text structures.

May 14, 26, 7–8 PM CT

🔗 Register: https://t.co/447njPVhIh

[Cicero District 99 @D99Cicero]

Dr. Benjamin Zulauf named named next Director of Teaching and Learning for Cicero District 99
D99 administrator no stranger to advocacy for cutting-edge academic best practices

@D99Cicero is pleased to announce Dr. Benjamin Zulauf (@benzulauf2) as the new incoming director of teaching and learning (grades K-5) for the District, effective July 1.

For the past few years, Zulauf has proudly served as a District leader in curriculum — most recently, in his current role as director of reading and language arts.

An avid supporter of literacy in youth academia, Zulauf is a frequent and trusted educational contributor on social media platforms, including X and Substack, where he shares messaging on the newest studies relating to children's literacy, research into best practices in the classroom and personal insight into what he has found has worked best when implemented in schools across District 99.

As passionate as he is for staying on top of the latest "EDU-world" news, Zulauf has been a valued member of the District 99 team, and is eager to bring his plethora of experiences — both as a classroom teacher and researcher — into his new role at the District level.

Zulauf's credentials include a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a master's degree in literacy from Judson University, a master's degree in educational leadership from National Louis University, and a doctoral degree in literacy from Judson University.

[Elana Gordon @mommagordon2]

Really enjoyed speaking w/ @GTavernetti
I’m always in awe of the teachers on his podcast! Grateful for the opportunity to chat about intervention work!

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Join us for this month’s TRL Illinois Coffee Chat.

We’ll discuss “Reading Comprehension Is Not a Skill” recommended by Sean Morrisey, and think together about how to translate the ideas into classroom practice.

April 18 | 9–10 AM
https://t.co/S0WSEfJlLB

[Elana Gordon @mommagordon2]

https://t.co/ozRqo7zW5v

[Elana Gordon @mommagordon2]

This year, I’ve gotten 2 try out new programs & continue 2 reflect on the nuance of teaching. Intentionality has been a recurring theme. Today’s Substack reflects those thoughts
Link in 🧵below @D99Cicero @ReadingLeagueIL

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Join us for this month’s TRL Illinois Coffee Chat.

We’ll discuss “Reading Comprehension Is Not a Skill” recommended by Sean Morrisey, and think together about how to translate the ideas into classroom practice.

April 18 | 9–10 AM
https://t.co/S0WSEfJlLB

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

Now available: Sean Morrisey’s webinar, Cracking the Code of Academic Vocabulary: Linking Sound, Spelling, and Meaning for Word Mastery.

🔗 https://t.co/zNEcv12VqZ

Thank you to our members!

🔗 Membership: https://t.co/H8EnlUwLO2

[The Reading League Illinois @ReadingLeagueIL]

The Science of Reading & Vocabulary – Sean Morrisey https://t.co/E2X6ChXWSW