This course is designed for Utah state educators who are seeking a professional educator license through an Alternative Pathway to Professional Educator Licensing (APPEL). This course provides a comprehensive exploration of effective reading instruction strategies tailored for elementary education. Emphasizing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), educators will learn to differentiate reading instruction and assessments to meet diverse learner needs. Participants will delve into the science of reading, understanding the critical role literacy acquisition plays in student success, and its alignment with federal, state, and local educational policies. Key components of the course include creating a positive, literacy-rich learning environment that integrates both digital and print literacies, while addressing cultural and linguistic diversity as well as social inequities. Participants will design a unit of reading instruction that incorporates explicit teaching methods and constructive feedback, focusing on essential elements such as oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.