Hive Summer Cohort Returns for a Third Year

Building on Two Years of Impact 

Are you ready to strengthen how you support tactile literacy development while connecting with educators across the country? Now in its third year, the APH Hive Summer Cohort continues to bring together professionals committed to improving outcomes for students who are blind or low vison. 

Over the past two summers, cohort participants have engaged in meaningful learning, explored research-based strategies, and built lasting professional connections. What began as a new initiative has quickly grown into a valued professional learning experience, providing the time, structure, and community educators need to turn learning into practice. 

What Can You Expect? 

This year’s cohort offers a focused, flexible learning experience centered on tactile literacy. Running June 15 through July 17, the fully asynchronous model allows participants to engage at their own pace while still connecting with peers through shared discussions. Participants will earn 10 ACVREP credit hours in a format designed for busy schedules. 

What Will We Study? 

This year’s cohort focuses on the essential building blocks of tactile literacy through a three-course sequence: 

• Understanding Concept Development – Learn how early concept formation supports emergent literacy, especially for learners who rely on hands-on, sensory experiences. 
• Building Tactile Literacy Skills – Develop strategies to teach touch as a pathway to literacy, including exploration, discrimination, and braille readiness. 
• Teaching Graphicacy Skills – Learn how to guide students in interpreting tactile graphics by strengthening their ability to access and understand information presented through touch. 

Together, these courses create a cohesive pathway that supports learners as they move from foundational concepts to more complex ways of accessing information tactually. 

Why Join Us? 

The Hive Summer Cohort is more than a series of courses; it’s a shared learning experience. Participants engage with a community of educators who are equally committed to strengthening their practice and supporting student success. 

Through collaboration and reflection, educators leave the cohort not only with new knowledge, but also with strategies they can confidently implement in their everyday work. 

What Are the Benefits? 

• Connect with educators nationwide in a collaborative environment 
• Engage with structured, research-based learning experiences 
• Gain practical strategies to support tactile literacy development 
• Participate in discussions that bring learning into real-world application 

What’s Next?

Spots for the third annual Hive Summer Cohort are limited. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this growing community of educators dedicated to making a meaningful impact. 

Register today to reserve your spot and join us June 15 through July 17.