Embracing Literacy 2025 Events: Full Schedule

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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9:30am MDT

Supporting Adolescent Content Knowledge and Comprehension through Quality Vocabulary Instruction

Thursday June 12, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am MDT

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Introduction:
Research in adolescent literacy clearly shows that understanding word meaning increases content knowledge and comprehension. In this session, we will introduce research-based instructional practices that teachers can use to select content-rich and critical words for focused instruction. Next, we will explore with teachers how to use teacher assessment and student self-assessment to inform instructional practices in vocabulary, including assessments at the beginning of instruction to gauge where students are, during instruction to understand how students are progressing in knowledge development, and after instruction to determine next steps for the future. Finally, and most importantly, we will provide engaging and meaningful vocabulary instructional tools for use across disciplines that are designed to develop sophisticated and flexible knowledge of key words. The format of the session will be interactive, applied, and engaging. Participants will be given resources that can easily be adapted to their own classroom settings.

Objectives:
1. Identify content-rich and critical words for focused instruction
2. Assess students’ knowledge of word meanings throughout the instructional process
3. Provide engaging and meaningful opportunities for students to learn word meanings.

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. Leslie Rush

Wyoming Excellence Chair in Literacy Education, University of Wyoming

Leslie S. Rush is Wyoming Excellence Chair in Literacy Education and professor in the College of Education at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Rush has received the University of Wyoming's John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award and the Promoting Intellectual Engagement... Read More →

Dr. Todd Reynolds

Associate Professor, University of Wyoming

Thursday June 12, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am MDT
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10:45am MDT

Building Capacity for Early Literacy Leadership

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

Timber

Feedback Survey

Introduction:
When it comes to early literacy, we focus a lot of our time, energy, and resources on professional learning and coaching teachers, and our teachers deserve it! However, we don't always consider the professional growth needs of our school leaders, who are key players in student literacy learning. In this session, participants will learn the key instructional leadership practices necessary for district leaders, principals/assistant principals, and coaches to effectively support teachers in delivering research-based early literacy instruction driven by high-quality instructional materials. Participants will hear video testimonials from school leaders who have participated in targeted early literacy leadership training, gain helpful tools & resources for literacy leadership (including free professional learning modules focused on the science of reading), and reflect on their literacy leadership practices. The session will be presented by SchoolKit, a national professional learning partner organization that has worked with 10+ states and over 80 districts to help them increase the quality of literacy instruction.

Objectives:
Understand and reflect on specific instructional leadership moves that leaders can make to strengthen early literacy instruction.

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

Ethan Mitnick

President and Founder, SchoolKit

Ethan is the President and founder of SchoolKit. He leads the 40-member SchoolKit team and provides strategic leadership and guidance for several of SchoolKit’s state and district partnerships. Ethan constantly works to ensure the close connection between SchoolKit's services and... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
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