2025 Speaker Presentations
Day 1
It's All Connected: Linking the Science of Literacy with the Science of Learning
Presentation Speaker: Natalie Wexler
How Writing Instruction Can Revolutionize Education
Presentation Speakers: Natalie Wexler
You Only Learn to Read Once: Strategies for Teaching Multilingual Students to Read
Presentation Speaker: Sylvia Linan Thompson, Ph.D., Janice George, Myles Creed, Ph.D., Naakil.aan Chester, Gina Biancarosa, Ed.D., Dodjivi Amekoudji, Katherine Wright, Ph.D.
How Ethical & Responsible Voice AI Supports Assessment-Driven Instruction
Presentation Speaker: Peter Swerdewski, Ph.D.
Leadership Priorities for Instructional Coherence in Learning Acceleration
Presentation Speaker: Amy Jefferis, Ed.D., Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed., Juliane Schultz, M.Ed., Gina Marchini, Christine Crump, Laura Muise, M.Ed., Ryan Gaegel, M.S.Ed.L.
How Do I Know if the Intervention Aligns with the SOR?
Presentation Speakers: Matthew Burns, Ph.D.
Fluency & Vocabulary as Bridges to Comprehension
Presentation Speakers: Melissa Loftus, Lori Sappington
Design of Explicit Instruction: High Leverage Practices that Promote Learning
Presentation Speakers: Anita Archer, Ph.D.
The Opportunity Makers
Presentation Speakers: Timothy Hise
Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night
Presentation Speakers: Melissa Loftus, Lori Sappington
Research Must Guide How We Teach English Learners to Read
Presentation Speaker: Claude Goldenberg, Ph.D.
Using Strive-for-Five Conversations to Enhance Students' Language Comprehension
Presentation Speaker: Sonia Cabell, Ph.D.
Spelling: Visible Language to Inform Instruction & Intervention
Presentation Speaker: Pam Kastner, Ed.D.
Making Your Thinking Visible Through Metacognitive Conversations
Presentation Speaker: Daryl Michel, Ph.D.
Using UFLI Foundations as a Tier 2 or Tier 3 Intervention
Presentation Speaker: Matthew Burns, Ph.D.
AK Best Practice Showcase: Game Changers: Fluency Routines to Power Up Your Reading Intervention
Presentation Speaker: Sarah Miller, M.A.T.
AK Best Practice Showcase: Visibly Intentional Reading Intervention
Presentation Speaker: Lee Ann Jenkins, M.Ed.
Leading Trajectory-Changing Schools: Driving Exceptional Literacy Growth
Presentation Speaker: Nancy Frey, Ph.D.
TNTP: Building Consistency Through a Classroom & Systems Approach
Presentation Speaker: Sarah Ledon, M.Ed.
AK Best Practice Showcase: Reading RTI: How to Transform Theory to Actionable Practice
Presentation Speaker: Emily Snyder
AK Best Practice Showcase: Close Reading in the Literacy Classroom
Presentation Speaker: Angie Hietala
From Awareness to Action: Leveraging Family Engagement for Literacy Growth
Presentation Speaker: Michael Andrews, Ed.D.
What Works? Visible Learning & the Science(s) of Reading
Presentation Speaker: Nancy Frey, Ph.D.
Writing into Literacy: Supporting Early Writing in Preschool & Kindergarten
Presentation Speaker: Sonia Cabell, Ph.D.
Decodable Text: Text Tools for Building Skilled Readers
Presentation Speaker: Pam Kastner, Ed.D.
Leading Change: Focus is a Prerequisite for Improvement
Presentation Speaker: Daryl Michel, Ph.D.
Oral & Written Language: Understanding the Differences & Implications for Teaching (especially for ELs)
Presentation Speaker: Claude Goldenberg, Ph.D.
AK Best Practice Showcase: Stronger Together: The Scrum Approach to Building School-Family Connections
Presentation Speaker: Ginger Crockett, M.Ed., Raymond Cornelio, M.A.
AK Best Practice Showcase: Implementing CKLA with Integrity: Lessons Learned by KPBSD
Presentation Speaker: Melissa Linton, M.Ed.
Delivery of Explicit Instruction: High-Leverage Practices that Promote Engagement & Learning
Presentation Speaker: Anita Archer, Ph.D.
Making the Science of Reading a Reality: The Power of Literacy Leadership Teams
Presentation Speaker: Caitlin Scott, Ph.D.
Day 3
Empowering Multilingual Learners: Scientific & Literacy Potential in Diverse Classrooms
Presentation Speaker: Alestra Menendez, M.Ed.
The Promise & Future Impact of Data-based Instructional Planning
Presentation Speaker: Beth Praska, Ed.D.
The Heroics of Fluency Instruction
Presentation Speaker: Elizabeth Bassford, M.S.Ed.
Using Data for Writing Instruction in the Primary Grades
Presentation Speaker: Becky Lewis, M.A., Sarah White, M.Ed.
Using Data for Writing Instruction in the Intermediate Grades
Presentation Speaker: Becky Lewis, M.A., Sarah White, M.Ed.
Building Literacy & Language Coherence Across Content Areas
Presentation Speaker: Deborah Helms, M.S.T., M.S.Ed.L.
Tips & Toolkits for Partnering with Families to Support Student Success
Presentation Speaker: Karin Halpin, Emily Ferry
The Blueprint – Building Bridges Between Families, Schools, & Communities
Presentation Speaker: Mike Andrews, Ed.D.