Embracing Literacy 2025 Events

Embracing Literacy 2025 Events

We’re excited you’ll be joining us for these upcoming professional learning opportunities! June 9th sessions are available exclusively to registered participants of the Language and Literacy Symposium. From June 10th –12th, all registrants of the Embracing Literacy: Soaring with Language and Literacy Conference are welcome to attend a wide range of engaging sessions designed to elevate language and literacy practices across our communities.

We look forward to learning and growing together!

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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8:00am MDT

☀️ Good Morning and Welcome!📚Language and Literacy Leaders Symposium Registrationis open! 🎟️ Ballroom seating begins at 8:20 AM—come early to grab your spot and get ready for an inspiring day!

Monday June 9, 2025 8:00am - 8:25am MDT

Monday June 9, 2025 8:00am - 8:25am MDT
Lobby

8:30am MDT

🧭Charting the Course: State Superintendent's Address to Systems Leaders

Monday June 9, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am MDT

Speakers

State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, Wyoming Department of Education

Monday June 9, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am MDT
Main Ballroom

8:45am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Every Scalable Literacy Breakthrough Begins with Leaders That Aligned the System

Monday June 9, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction
Literacy isn’t just an instructional issue—it’s a systems issue. And that means it's your issue. As school and district leaders, your ability to align priorities, people, and processes directly determines the success of every student. In this provocative session, we’ll confront a hard truth: if literacy outcomes are stagnant, the system is misaligned—and leadership is the lever. Discover how to own your role as a literacy leader by designing coherent systems that empower educators, support sustainable practices, and drive measurable impact. Leading literacy means leading through the system—not around it. The future of student success depends on what you do next.

Session Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Examine how system misalignment contributes to stagnant literacy outcomes and identify key leadership actions that can drive change.
Analyze the roles and responsibilities of school and district leaders in aligning priorities, people, and processes to build coherent, literacy-focused systems.
Develop actionable strategies to strengthen systemwide coherence, support sustainable instructional practices, and drive measurable literacy improvement across all levels of the organization.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Danielle ‘Nell’ Thompson

President and Founder, The Transformative Reading Teacher Group

Danielle ‘Nell’ Thompson, PhD CCC-SLP, is a coach, influencer, literacy leader, teacher of teachers and, insatiably curious about all things that make people’s lives better. She is an agent of positive change working to help leaders and educators re-think, unlearn, and up-level... Read More →

Dr. Terrie Noland

The Transformative Reading Teacher Group

For 25 years, Dr. Terrie Noland has put her energy into education and literacy; first as a teacher and administrator, and now as V.P. of Educator Initiatives for Learning Ally, a nonprofit dedicated to "Literacy for All." Terrie's mission is to spark a flame of enthusiasm in others... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Main Ballroom

10:00am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of Learning

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction:

Systems Leaders, the term “science of reading” is often used only to highlight problems with phonics instruction. But that overlooks the abundant scientific evidence indicating that standard reading comprehension instruction, which focuses on isolated skills, is also problematic. Science also tells us we need to break down the artificial walls separating reading and writing instruction since the two are closely connected. And fundamentally, we need to see both reading and writing as aspects of learning, to take advantage of practices backed by cognitive science that can make teachers more effective and boost student achievement.

Objectives:

Experience the challenges that students with dyslexia face through immersive, simulation-based activities that reflect real classroom tasks in reading, writing, and language processing.
Examine how misconceptions about the science of reading—especially the overemphasis on phonics alone—can limit comprehensive instructional approaches for students with dyslexia.
Explore the cognitive science behind effective reading and writing instruction, including the importance of integrating comprehension, decoding, vocabulary, and written expression.
Reflect on current classroom practices and identify areas where reading and writing instruction can be more deeply connected to improve outcomes for all students, particularly those with dyslexia.
Apply research-informed strategies from the science of reading and writing to create more inclusive, effective learning environments that support language and literacy development for diverse learners.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Natalie Wexler

Author/speaker, Self-employed

Natalie Wexler is the author of Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of Learning and The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System—and How to Fix It (Avery 2019) and the co-author, with Judith C. Hochman, of... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Salon 5

10:00am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Navigating Rough Waters: How Leaders Can Effectively Steer the Ship Towards Improved Student Literacy Outcomes

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction:
This session empowers leaders to drive sustainable, equitable literacy outcomes through the Science of Reading and Learning. Participants will gain actionable strategies and a framework for systemic change, addressing professional learning, coaching, materials, cultural responsiveness, data analysis, and MTSS implementation at both school and district levels.

Objectives:
Describe a systems-level framework for implementing the Science of Reading and Learning to drive sustainable literacy outcomes.

Identify strategies for planning for and integrating decisions around high-quality professional learning, coaching, materials, data analysis, and MTSS into a cohesive literacy improvement plan.
Explore how to build and utilize literacy implementation teams to drive implementation work forward.
Apply data-driven decision-making to inform instruction, monitor implementation progress, respond to barriers, and guide school and district-level literacy goals.
Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice
What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Rebecca Loera

Deanna Donald

National Navigator, Rollins Center of Language and Literacy

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Salon 2

10:00am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. The Power of How: Maximizing Practice through Instructional Routines to Increase Student Learning and Mastery

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Feedback Survey

Session Description
This session presents research that highlights the power of instructional routines to maximize student learning. By using explicit instructional routines, teachers can deliver lessons with a seamless and consistent structure. These routines incorporate opportunities for students to respond, engage in guided practice with feedback, and receive immediate error correction. As a result, students are better able to focus on the content being taught rather than the structure of the task, which leads to improved learning outcomes.
The session specifically models and provides practice with instructional routines related to word recognition. Participants engage in hands-on opportunities to internalize and apply these strategies. The design and delivery of the session emphasize a research-to-practice approach, ensuring that practitioners are equipped to immediately implement what they learn. Participants will leave with a ready-to-use toolkit of instructional resources that support effective and efficient instruction.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the research that underpins instructional routines
Describe the most effective types of practice
Rehearse instructional routines with guided feedback
Match an instructional routine to a learning objective

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Pam Kastner

State Lead, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Salon 3 & 4

10:00am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. The Reading Brain and the Framework for Effective Literacy Instruction: Aligning with the Wyoming Language and Literacy Plan

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Feedback Survey

Session Description:
Although human beings are born with the natural ability to learn to speak and communicate, they are not born with the natural ability to read. This session will explore the regions of the brain’s left hemisphere that are critical for reading development and why reading must be explicitly taught. Since decoding—mapping the sounds of the English language onto letters and letter combinations—is not an innate skill, high-quality, evidence-aligned instruction is essential. Participants will examine instructional strategies that support reading development and learn how these strategies align with the Wyoming Language and Literacy Plan (WLLP). The session will also provide guidance for integrating these practices into a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to ensure that the diverse needs of learners are met across both elementary and secondary settings.
Outcomes:

Describe the regions of the brain’s left hemisphere that are critical for reading development.
Outline the evidence-based MTSS framework as described in the Wyoming Language and Literacy Plan (WLLP) to provide effective literacy instruction.
Identify instructional strategies that align with the science of reading and support implementation within an MTSS structure.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Kim St. Martin

Director, Director MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center

Dr. Kim St. Martin is currently the director of the MiMTSS TA Center. She was a panel member for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Practice Guide, Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4–9. Dr. St. Martin was previously the co-director of a federally funded... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Salon 1

10:00am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. What System Leaders Need to Know about Research That Must Guide How We Teach English Learners to Read

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction:

What’s “reading science” got to do with English Learners?
The short answer to this question is, “A lot.” A more informative answer requires answers to these questions, which this presentation targeted to educators in schools and classrooms will address: What’s the "science of reading”? How is it relevant for English Learners? What about bilingual education? When teaching reading to students simultaneously learning to speak and understand the language as they learn to read and write it, what’s the same and what’s different compared to teaching students to read who already know the language? What are some things that do and don’t work for teaching English reading to ELs? What about beginning and early literacy? Do foundational skills still matter?

Objectives:

Define the “science of reading” and explain its relevance to English Learners (ELs).
Differentiate between effective practices for teaching reading to native English speakers and ELs, identifying what remains consistent and what must be adapted.
Explain the role of foundational skills in early literacy instruction for English Learners, including phonemic awareness, phonics, and oral language development.
Describe key considerations in bilingual education and how reading science intersects with dual-language or multilingual approaches.
Evaluate common misconceptions and ineffective practices in reading instruction for ELs and identify evidence-based strategies that support language and literacy development.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Claude Goldenberg

My Substack. https://claudegoldenberg.substack.com

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Salon 6

11:15am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Building Brighter Futures: System Innovations for Strengthening Literacy Foundations

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction
In today's educational landscape, the ability to read and write proficiently continues to be a struggle for many. This session will explore ways to elevate and transformative systems with innovations designed to enhance building language and literacy, early.
Session Objectives

Identify system-level barriers and opportunities that impact early language and literacy development, particularly in underserved or struggling student populations.
Examine innovative strategies and models that strengthen foundational literacy through coordinated efforts across early learning settings, schools, and communities.
Develop actionable ideas for implementing or enhancing system-wide approaches to improve early literacy outcomes, grounded in evidence-based practices and cross-sector collaboration.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Danielle ‘Nell’ Thompson

President and Founder, The Transformative Reading Teacher Group

Danielle ‘Nell’ Thompson, PhD CCC-SLP, is a coach, influencer, literacy leader, teacher of teachers and, insatiably curious about all things that make people’s lives better. She is an agent of positive change working to help leaders and educators re-think, unlearn, and up-level... Read More →

Dr. Terrie Noland

The Transformative Reading Teacher Group

For 25 years, Dr. Terrie Noland has put her energy into education and literacy; first as a teacher and administrator, and now as V.P. of Educator Initiatives for Learning Ally, a nonprofit dedicated to "Literacy for All." Terrie's mission is to spark a flame of enthusiasm in others... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Salon 3 & 4

11:15am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Dyslexia & the Brain: Facts, Experiences, and Impact to Strengthen Instructional Decision-Making

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction
Understanding dyslexia is essential for designing equitable and effective instruction. This session explores the intersection of science, lived experience, and practical classroom application. Participants will explore how the brain processes language and examine current research findings on dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Through challenging vignettes and real-world examples, we will illuminate the unique experiences of individuals with dyslexia. By connecting neuroscience to instructional strategies, participants will be equipped to make informed decisions that support all learners, especially those with language and literacy differences.

Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will gain insights into the following:

Describe the neurological foundations of reading and how the brain functions differently in individuals with dyslexia.
Identify key signs and symptoms of dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
Analyze real-life vignettes to deepen understanding of the lived experiences of students with dyslexia.
Apply evidence-based interventions and accommodations to strengthen instruction and support students with dyslexia.
Make informed instructional decisions based on current research and a deeper understanding of how dyslexia impacts learning.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Kari Roden, MA, WDT, C-SLDS

Owner, Bloom Literacy Solutions

Kari worked for 12 years as an Elementary school teacher and has her Master's in Literacy. Her career took a new trajectory when her daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2016. Kari currently owns Bloom Literacy Solutions, which focuses on Dyslexia Evaluations, Consulting... Read More →

Lynn Kuhn, M.A.-LD/BD

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Salon 2

11:15am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Invitational Leader Symposium: System Leaders: Making Structured Literacy Work for Language-Diverse Classrooms

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction
Some believe Structured Literacy doesn’t work in language-diverse classrooms, but Maya Goodall and Dr. Dale Webster of CORE Learning will show you why that’s a misconception. Literacy and language are deeply connected for every learner. For students from language-diverse backgrounds, effective reading instruction requires more explicit attention to oral language, but all students benefit from approaches that integrate both language and literacy development.

This session will demonstrate how Structured Literacy principles can be adapted to support students from language-diverse backgrounds by leveraging their linguistic diversity as a strength. You’ll gain practical insights into how understanding the relationship between oral language and literacy leads to instruction that is equitable, effective, and accessible for Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia.

Learning Objectives

1. Connect Structured Literacy principles with second language acquisition and oral language development,
2. Adapt Structured Literacy instruction to build on students' existing linguistic knowledge and strengths,
3. Implement specific strategies that support Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia,
4. Bridge the gap between students' oral language skills and literacy development using Structured Literacy approaches.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Dale Webster

Maya Goodall

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Salon 5

11:15am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Leading with Literacy: Empowering Secondary Success Through Purposeful Leadership

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction:

Strong literacy leadership is essential for secondary academic success. This workshop equips school leaders, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders with the tools to drive meaningful literacy improvements. Participants will explore strategies to create a literacy-focused culture, set clear goals, and foster collaboration among educators.

Key focus areas include developing influence by prioritizing literacy across all content areas, leading intentionally through goal-setting and accountability, and aligning literacy goals with school improvement plans. Additionally, attendees will learn how to build teacher capacity through professional learning, coaching, and data-driven practices. Leaders will also be encouraged to model continuous growth, fostering a mindset of lifelong learning among educators.

This session will provide a roadmap for elevating instructional practices and empowering students to achieve their highest potential through practical strategies and actionable insights. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to implement and sustain school-wide literacy initiatives effectively.

Objectives:

Articulate the role of strong literacy leadership in supporting secondary academic achievement across content areas.
Develop strategies to establish a school-wide culture that prioritizes literacy and aligns with overall school improvement goals.
Apply goal-setting and accountability practices to lead intentional, literacy-focused instructional improvements.
Design systems of professional learning and coaching to build teacher capacity in evidence-based literacy practices.
Use data-driven approaches to monitor progress, inform instruction, and guide continuous school-wide improvement.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Jeanne Schopf

Independent Consultant, Pathways Towards Literacy

For over 30 years, Jeanne Schopf, M.Ed., NBCT, C-SLDI, has been a passionate advocate for literacy and education. As a K-12 teacher, Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist, and Certified Dyslexia Interventionist, she has transformed learning experiences for students and educators. Jeanne... Read More →

MTSS Self Assessment Form (2) pdf

Empowering Secondary Success Through Purposeful Leadership (1) pdf

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Salon 6

11:15am MDT

Systems Leader Symposium: The Courage to Lead: Transforming Literacy Outcomes Through Bold Leadership

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction:

In the world of education, bold leaders can be found at all levels, from district and building administrators to instructional coaches to classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. They are leaders who understand deeply what children need to thrive in our complex, interconnected world. They understand that literacy is the gateway, not only to students’ academic success, but to their ability to thrive and flourish in school and beyond. They understand that literacy is a human right that can—and should-- be guaranteed to ALL our students. They lead with a relentless focus on literacy for all, and know that if we don’t get literacy right, we don’t get anything right.

These are transformational literacy leaders who are courageously blazing the path to help others understand how to bring the research into action, and to share a bold and common vision for the future: to ensure that all children have the opportunities to reach their full potential.

Objectives:
• What it means to be a transformational literacy leader by cultivating a vision and setting a culture for collective problem-solving;
• What the Implementation Science teaches us about key factors in an effective implementation;
• The phases of implementation from exploration through sustainability and the bold leader moves throughout those phases;
• The courageous conversations that leaders must have in order to lead through a literacy transformation.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Laura Stewart

Chief Academic Officer, 95 Percent Group

I am an educator and organizational leader. I have proudly served as a classroom teacher, building and district administrator, adjunct professor, and director of numerous professional development initiatives around the country. Before joining 95% Group, I was the Chief Innovation... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Salon 1

12:15pm MDT

Cultivating Literacy Leaders: An Information Session on the Reading League National

Monday June 9, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Cultivating Literacy Leaders: An Information Session on the Reading League National

Speakers

Andrea Setmeyer

National Chapter Director, The Reading League

Monday June 9, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm MDT
Salon 1

12:15pm MDT

Transformation Network-Invitational Only Event

Monday June 9, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Monday June 9, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm MDT
Salon 2

12:15pm MDT

🍽️ LEXIA Sponsored Lunch From Knowledge to Impact: The LETRS Journey in Wyoming Classrooms Join us in the ballroom for lunch—held here daily throughout the conference, with today’s lunch proudly sponsored by Lexia Wyoming!

Monday June 9, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Monday June 9, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm MDT
Main Ballroom

1:15pm MDT

Invitational Leader Symposium: Navigating Rough Waters: How Leaders Can Effectively Steer the Ship Towards Improved Student Literacy Outcomes

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction:

This session empowers leaders to drive sustainable, equitable literacy outcomes through the Science of Reading and Learning. Participants will gain actionable strategies and a framework for systemic change, addressing professional learning, coaching, materials, cultural responsiveness, data analysis, and MTSS implementation at both school and district levels.

Objectives:

Describe a systems-level framework for implementing the Science of Reading and Learning to drive sustainable literacy outcomes.
Identify strategies for integrating high-quality professional learning, coaching, and materials into a cohesive literacy improvement plan.
Analyze the role of cultural responsiveness in achieving equitable literacy instruction and outcomes for all learners.
Apply data-driven decision-making to inform instruction, monitor progress, and guide school and district-level literacy goals.
Evaluate how to implement and strengthen Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to address the full range of student needs.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Rebecca Loera

Deanna Donald

National Navigator, Rollins Center of Language and Literacy

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT
Salon 2

1:15pm MDT

Invitational Leader Symposium: What System Leaders Need to Know about Research That Must Guide How We Teach English Learners to Read

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Invitational Leader Symposium Exclusive:

What System Leaders Need to Know about Research That Must Guide How We Teach English Learners to Read

Introduction:

What’s “reading science” got to do with English Learners?
The short answer to this question is, “A lot.” A more informative answer requires answers to these questions, which this presentation targeted to educators in schools and classrooms will address: What’s the "science of reading”? How is it relevant for English Learners? What about bilingual education? When teaching reading to students simultaneously learning to speak and understand the language as they learn to read and write it, what’s the same and what’s different compared to teaching students to read who already know the language? What are some things that do and don’t work for teaching English reading to ELs? What about beginning and early literacy? Do foundational skills still matter?

Objectives:

Define the “science of reading” and explain its relevance to English Learners (ELs).
Differentiate between effective practices for teaching reading to native English speakers and ELs, identifying what remains consistent and what must be adapted.
Explain the role of foundational skills in early literacy instruction for English Learners, including phonemic awareness, phonics, and oral language development.
Describe key considerations in bilingual education and how reading science intersects with dual-language or multilingual approaches.
Evaluate common misconceptions and ineffective practices in reading instruction for ELs and identify evidence-based strategies that support language and literacy development.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Claude Goldenberg

My Substack. https://claudegoldenberg.substack.com

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT
Salon 6

1:15pm MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. MTSS: An Effective Evidence-Based Framework for Literacy Instruction Do This-Not That

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction
A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework is a way to provide a continuum of evidence-based practices to effectively meet the needs of all learners. MTSS is not without its implementation challenges. This session will discuss two implementation do’s to prioritize to avoid implementation challenges and limited impact on student outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

Identify two MTSS implementation do’s and don’ts necessary for accelerating literacy outcomes.
Provide one effective and one ineffective reading instructional strategy.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Kim St. Martin

Director, Director MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center

Dr. Kim St. Martin is currently the director of the MiMTSS TA Center. She was a panel member for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Practice Guide, Providing Reading Interventions for Students in Grades 4–9. Dr. St. Martin was previously the co-director of a federally funded... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT
Salon 1

1:15pm MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. The Power of How: Maximizing Practice through Instructional Routines to Increase Student Learning and Mastery

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Session Description
This session presents research that highlights the power of instructional routines to maximize student learning. By using explicit instructional routines, teachers can deliver lessons with a seamless and consistent structure. These routines incorporate opportunities for students to respond, engage in guided practice with feedback, and receive immediate error correction. As a result, students are better able to focus on the content being taught rather than the structure of the task, which leads to improved learning outcomes.
The session specifically models and provides practice with instructional routines related to word recognition. Participants engage in hands-on opportunities to internalize and apply these strategies. The design and delivery of the session emphasize a research-to-practice approach, ensuring that practitioners are equipped to immediately implement what they learn. Participants will leave with a ready-to-use toolkit of instructional resources that support effective and efficient instruction.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the research that underpins instructional routines
Describe the most effective types of practice
Rehearse instructional routines with guided feedback
Match an instructional routine to a learning objective

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Pam Kastner

State Lead, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT
Salon 3 & 4

1:15pm MDT

Systems Leader Symposium: How Writing Instruction Can Revolutionize Education

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Natalie Wexler

Author/speaker, Self-employed

Natalie Wexler is the author of Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of Learning and The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System—and How to Fix It (Avery 2019) and the co-author, with Judith C. Hochman, of... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm MDT
Salon 5

about Language and Literacy Symposium-Systems Leaders

2:30pm MDT

Invitational Leader Symposium: Leading with Literacy: Empowering Secondary Success Through Purposeful Leadership

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction:

Strong literacy leadership is essential for secondary academic success. This workshop equips school leaders, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders with the tools to drive meaningful literacy improvements. Participants will explore strategies to create a literacy-focused culture, set clear goals, and foster collaboration among educators.

Key focus areas include developing influence by prioritizing literacy across all content areas, leading intentionally through goal-setting and accountability, and aligning literacy goals with school improvement plans. Additionally, attendees will learn how to build teacher capacity through professional learning, coaching, and data-driven practices. Leaders will also be encouraged to model continuous growth, fostering a mindset of lifelong learning among educators.

This session will provide a roadmap for elevating instructional practices and empowering students to achieve their highest potential through practical strategies and actionable insights. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to implement and sustain school-wide literacy initiatives effectively.

Objectives:

Articulate the role of strong literacy leadership in supporting secondary academic achievement across content areas.
Develop strategies to establish a school-wide culture that prioritizes literacy and aligns with overall school improvement goals.
Apply goal-setting and accountability practices to lead intentional, literacy-focused instructional improvements.
Design systems of professional learning and coaching to build teacher capacity in evidence-based literacy practices.
Use data-driven approaches to monitor progress, inform instruction, and guide continuous school-wide improvement.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Jeanne Schopf

Independent Consultant, Pathways Towards Literacy

For over 30 years, Jeanne Schopf, M.Ed., NBCT, C-SLDI, has been a passionate advocate for literacy and education. As a K-12 teacher, Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist, and Certified Dyslexia Interventionist, she has transformed learning experiences for students and educators. Jeanne... Read More →

MTSS Self Assessment Form (2) pdf

Empowering Secondary Success Through Purposeful Leadership (1) pdf

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
Salon 6

2:30pm MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Building Brighter Futures: System Innovations for Strengthening Literacy Foundations

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction
In today's educational landscape, the ability to read and write proficiently continues to be a struggle for many. This session will explore ways to elevate and transformative systems with innovations designed to enhance building language and literacy, early.
Session Objectives

Identify system-level barriers and opportunities that impact early language and literacy development, particularly in underserved or struggling student populations.
Examine innovative strategies and models that strengthen foundational literacy through coordinated efforts across early learning settings, schools, and communities.
Develop actionable ideas for implementing or enhancing system-wide approaches to improve early literacy outcomes, grounded in evidence-based practices and cross-sector collaboration.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Danielle ‘Nell’ Thompson

President and Founder, The Transformative Reading Teacher Group

Danielle ‘Nell’ Thompson, PhD CCC-SLP, is a coach, influencer, literacy leader, teacher of teachers and, insatiably curious about all things that make people’s lives better. She is an agent of positive change working to help leaders and educators re-think, unlearn, and up-level... Read More →

Dr. Terrie Noland

The Transformative Reading Teacher Group

For 25 years, Dr. Terrie Noland has put her energy into education and literacy; first as a teacher and administrator, and now as V.P. of Educator Initiatives for Learning Ally, a nonprofit dedicated to "Literacy for All." Terrie's mission is to spark a flame of enthusiasm in others... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
Salon 1

2:30pm MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. The Courage to Lead: Transforming Literacy Outcomes Through Bold Leadership

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction:

In the world of education, bold leaders can be found at all levels, from district and building administrators to instructional coaches to classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. They are leaders who understand deeply what children need to thrive in our complex, interconnected world. They understand that literacy is the gateway, not only to students’ academic success, but to their ability to thrive and flourish in school and beyond. They understand that literacy is a human right that can—and should-- be guaranteed to ALL our students. They lead with a relentless focus on literacy for all, and know that if we don’t get literacy right, we don’t get anything right.

These are transformational literacy leaders who are courageously blazing the path to help others understand how to bring the research into action, and to share a bold and common vision for the future: to ensure that all children have the opportunities to reach their full potential.

Objectives:
• What it means to be a transformational literacy leader by cultivating a vision and setting a culture for collective problem-solving;
• What the Implementation Science teaches us about key factors in an effective implementation;
• The phases of implementation from exploration through sustainability and the bold leader moves throughout those phases;
• The courageous conversations that leaders must have in order to lead through a literacy transformation.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Laura Stewart

Chief Academic Officer, 95 Percent Group

I am an educator and organizational leader. I have proudly served as a classroom teacher, building and district administrator, adjunct professor, and director of numerous professional development initiatives around the country. Before joining 95% Group, I was the Chief Innovation... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
Salon 3 & 4

2:30pm MDT

Systems Leader Symposium: System Leaders: Making Structured Literacy Work for Language-Diverse Classrooms

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Making Structured Literacy Work for Language-Diverse Classrooms

Introduction
Some believe Structured Literacy doesn’t work in language-diverse classrooms, but Maya Goodall and Dr. Dale Webster of CORE Learning will show you why that’s a misconception. Literacy and language are deeply connected for every learner. For students from language-diverse backgrounds, effective reading instruction requires more explicit attention to oral language, but all students benefit from approaches that integrate both language and literacy development.

This session will demonstrate how Structured Literacy principles can be adapted to support students from language-diverse backgrounds by leveraging their linguistic diversity as a strength. You’ll gain practical insights into how understanding the relationship between oral language and literacy leads to instruction that is equitable, effective, and accessible for Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia.

Learning Objectives

1. Connect Structured Literacy principles with second language acquisition and oral language development,
2. Adapt Structured Literacy instruction to build on students' existing linguistic knowledge and strengths,
3. Implement specific strategies that support Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia,
4. Bridge the gap between students' oral language skills and literacy development using Structured Literacy approaches.

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Dale Webster

Maya Goodall

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
Salon 5

2:30pm MDT

Systems Leaders: Ensuring Academic Rigor for Language Learners

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Introduction

Objectives

Credit Reflection Questions: Applying Learning to Practice

What new insights did you gain from the presentation, and how did they connect to your existing knowledge or experience?
In what ways did the presentation deepen or enhance your understanding of the topic?
How do you plan to apply what you learned in your work? Who will benefit from it, and what changes or improvements do you expect to see?

Speakers

Dr. Antonio Fierró

Vice President Professional Learning, 95% Group

Antonio A. Fierro is a former Texas State Teacher of the Year and is currently the Vice President of Professional Learning and Academics with the 95 Percent Group. For almost 20 years, he was a member of the national Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS... Read More →

Dr. Gabi Bell Jimenez

Monday June 9, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
Salon 2

3:45pm MDT

Systems Leader Symposium. Leading Forward: A Language and Literacy Panel

Monday June 9, 2025 3:45pm - 5:00pm MDT

Feedback Survey

Monday June 9, 2025 3:45pm - 5:00pm MDT
Main Ballroom

5:00pm MDT

🎉 That’s a wrap on an incredible day! Thank you for clearing the ballroom so the event team can begin preparations for another great day tomorrow. Enjoy your evening! 💙📖

Monday June 9, 2025 5:00pm - 5:15pm MDT

Monday June 9, 2025 5:00pm - 5:15pm MDT