Alicia Smith is President Emerita of IDA Ontario. Under Alicia’s transformative leadership, IDA Ontario has grown to be a leading Canadian authority in best practices for literacy instruction, intervention, and assessment. Alicia is a tenacious advocate, tirelessly working to strengthen public education to ensure all children learn to read in Ontario and beyond. Alicia views literacy as a social justice issue, recognizing that structured literacy instruction and systems change are necessary for students in historically marginalized communities to gain access to all the benefits literacy affords them.

“Our public education system has a responsibility to improve equity outcomes and provide students with an equal opportunity to succeed in life. However, for many students, the system creates, deepens and exacerbates disadvantage.”

Ontario Human Rights Commission – Right to Read Inquiry Report

In recognition of Alicia’s tremendous commitment to effect changes in literacy, the scholarship recipient will receive a complimentary ticket to the 2025 Literacy & Learning Educator Conference, two nights hotel stay, and a travel stipend.

Applicant Eligibility:

We invite applications from educators who meet the following criteria:

1..Work full-time in a publicly funded school board or First Nation school that serves students who may be at risk for reading difficulties (e.g. low SES community, high proportion of newcomer or multilingual students, First Nation community, etc.)

2. Demonstrate a commitment to learning more about structured literacy instruction as an avenue to educational equity

Application and Selection Process: 

The application form is now open and will close on January 31, 2025. The successful candidate will be notified directly.