Science of Reading Center partners with Yonkers Public Schools to provide free microcredential for educators

June 5, 2025 Andrew Bruso

Leaders from Yonkers Public Schools, the Science of Reading Center and the School of Education at SUNY New Paltz gather to launch a new partnership to enhance literacy instruction across the District on June 2, 2025. Photo courtesy of Yonkers Public Schools.

The Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz has partnered with Yonkers Public Schools and the Yonkers Federation of Teachers to provide the Science of Reading Fundamentals Microcredential to Yonkers educators, as part of an effort to enhance literacy instruction across the District.

The initiative provides Yonkers teachers the opportunity to earn a microcredential, 3 in-service credits to be provided, and one graduate credit – all at no cost.

The launch was celebrated at a press conference held at the Yonkers Public Library, where leaders from the Science of Reading Center and the School of Education convened with the inaugural cohort of 30 Yonkers Public Schools educators, who will work through the self-paced online course with in-person professional development sessions scheduled throughout the summer. Additional Yonkers cohorts are expected to follow.

*Rene Parmar, Dean of the School of Education at SUNY New Paltz, addresses Yonkers Public Schools educators on June 2, 2025. Photo courtesy of Yonkers Public Schools.*

“This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to high-quality, research-based instruction in every classroom,” said Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr. “We are proud to invest in our teachers’ professional growth, knowing that it directly benefits the literacy success of our students.”

“The Science of Reading Center is thrilled to launch this new partnership with Yonkers Public Schools and the Yonkers Federation of Teachers,” said Rose Else-Mitchell, Executive Director of the Science of Reading Center. “We look forward to supporting teachers in their continued professional learning to directly impact student literacy outcomes.”

“This is a moment of progress and pride for our District,” said Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio, President of the Yonkers Board of Education. “Our teachers deserve access to the best tools and training available, and this collaboration makes that a reality.”

“Yonkers teachers are eager for meaningful professional learning opportunities,” said Samantha Rosado-Ciriello, President of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers. “This Science of Reading credential is a valuable resource that strengthens both classroom instruction and our community of educators. It also highlights the power of a strong labor-management partnership; when we work collaboratively, we create real solutions that support teacher growth and student success.”

*Rose Else-Mitchell, Executive Director of the Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz, addresses Yonkers Public Schools educators on June 2, 2025. Photo courtesy of Yonkers Public Schools.*

About the Science of Reading Center

Founded in 2023, the Science of Reading Center at SUNY New Paltz is a leader in evidence-based literacy instruction that draws on the latest research in cognitive science, linguistics and classroom practice. The Center is a source for continuing education, live events and webinars, professional networking and district/education department partnerships.

The Science of Reading Fundamentals Microcredential offers a curriculum-agnostic overview of the key building blocks of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, oral language, vocabulary and comprehension. The course is fully online with opportunities for in-person collaboration and is designed to complement existing literacy programs across all grade levels.

For more information, please visit www.newpaltz.edu/science-of-reading-center/.