Webinar: Unlocking the Science of Reading with Evidence-Based Practices

Join Dordt University for a free professional development webinar.

How do we turn the science of reading into daily classroom practice that truly builds skilled readers? In this webinar, Dr. Sheila Mulder will guide participants through a practical exploration of the Science of Reading using the reflective framework, “I used to think… but now I know…” Together, we’ll examine common assumptions or misconceptions about reading instruction, discover updated research-based understandings, and see exactly how those shifts translate into classroom practice.

The session begins with a focused overview of how skilled reading develops, followed by a look at how each area of the Big 5 can be strengthened through evidence-based instruction. Participants will explore how to use data to inform targeted teaching decisions, incorporate high-impact instructional routines, and apply insights from the Science of Learning to boost retention and transfer.

By the end of the webinar, educators will leave with:

1. A clearer understanding of the research behind reading development.
2. Practical strategies to shift instruction for greater impact.
3. Tools for purposeful assessment to inform literacy instruction.

Whether you are new to the Science of Reading or ready to refine your practice, this session will help you identify the “big impact” shifts that can transform how students learn to read.

About Sheila Mulder, Ed.D.

Sheila Mulder, Ed.D., is an educator, researcher, and consultant specializing in literacy instruction and teacher preparation. She teaches undergraduate literacy courses and has led graduate coursework in curriculum development. Her professional experience includes serving as an instructional coach, curriculum and assessment coordinator, and classroom teacher, with a consistent focus on improving literacy outcomes for students.

Mulder partners with schools and districts to redesign literacy curricula, strengthen instructional practices, and embed research-based assessment strategies. She has co-authored South Dakota’s Literacy Blueprint courses, taught Foundational Reading Training Courses for grades 4–8 educators, and supported teachers and administrators in implementing effective reading instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. She also serves on the Board of the International Dyslexia Association – Upper Midwest Branch (IDA-UMB), contributing to regional efforts to promote evidence-based literacy practices and support for individuals with dyslexia. Her work centers on equipping educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools to deliver evidence-based instruction that meets the needs of all learners.

She earned her Ed.D. in K–12 Educational Leadership from the University of South Dakota, where she researched the impact of formative feedback on teacher practice and student learning. Mulder has presented regionally and statewide on literacy instruction and is currently developing literacy instructional coaching courses to strengthen teacher support systems across South Dakota.