Speakers

Elizabeth Bassford, MSEd

Vice President, Content and Implementation

Curriculum Associates

Elizabeth Bassford serves as vice president of content and implementation at Curriculum Associates and has dedicated her 44-year career to the art and science of literacy. With degrees from NYU and Fordham and a national reputation for guiding transformative initiatives, Elizabeth speaks on conditions most favorable to building a highly literate, thriving populace.

Jan Hasbrouck, PhD

Consultant/Researcher

JH Educational Services

Jan Hasbrouck, Ph.D. is an award-winning researcher, educational consultant, and author who works with schools and agencies in the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Hasbrouck worked as a reading specialist and literacy coach for 15 years and later became a professor. Her research in reading fluency, academic assessment and interventions, and instructional coaching has been widely published. She is the author, coauthor, and co-editor of several books along with some assessment tools. She continues to collaborate with researchers and school colleagues on projects related to reading interventions, assessment, and instructional coaching. She enjoys volunteering at her grandson’s K-8 school in Seattle.

Elfrieda Hiebert, PhD

President/CEO

TextProject

Dr. Elfrieda “Freddy” Hiebert is President and CEO of TextProject, a nonprofit that provides open-access resources for beginning and struggling readers. She has served as a primary-grade teacher in California as well as a teacher educator and researcher at the University of Kentucky, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Michigan, and University of California, Berkeley. Her research on fostering fluency, vocabulary, and knowledge through appropriate texts has been widely published and recognized with honors including the Oscar Causey Award (Literacy Research Association) and the William S. Gray Citation of Merit Award (International Literacy Association).

Lindsay Kemeny, MS

Teacher & Author

Davis School District

Lindsay Kemeny is an elementary school teacher, speaker, and author with a passion for literacy and applying research to practice. After her son was diagnosed with dyslexia and depression, she began her deep dive into effective literacy instruction for all children. She enjoys presenting locally and nationally, and co-hosting the Literacy Talks podcast. She is the author of the books, 7 Mighty Moves, 7 Mighty Moves Reading Resources, and Rock Your Literacy Block. She loves being in the classroom every day, teaching kids to read and write.

Anthony Muhammad, PhD

CEO

New Frontier 21, LLC

Dr. Anthony Muhammad is an author and international thought leader. He currently serves as the CEO of New Frontier 21 Consulting, a company dedicated to providing cutting-edge professional development to schools all over the world. He served as a practitioner for nearly twenty years. He served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He was named the Michigan Middle School Principal of the Year in 2005 while serving as the principal at Levey Middle School in Southfield, Michigan. Dr. Muhammad has also been honored by the Global Gurus organization as one of the 30 Most Influential Educators in the world for six consecutive years (2021-2026).

Dr. Muhammad is recognized as one of the field’s leading experts in the areas of school culture and Professional Learning Communities at Work (PLC). He also serves as an Associate Professor of School Leadership and Culture at Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Dr. Muhammad is the author of 12 bestselling books. His most recent works include The Way Forward: PLC at Work and the Bright Future of Education (2024), Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work, 4th Edition (2024), Revisiting Professional Learning Communities at Work, 2nd Edition (2021), Time for Change: The Four Essential Skills of a Transformational School Leader (2019) and Transforming School Culture: How to Overcome Staff Division 2nd Edition (2018). He has published 26 peer reviewed articles in education journals and publications in seven different countries.

Timothy Shanahan, PhD

Distinguished Professor Emeritus

University of Illinois at Chicago

Timothy Shanahan is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools, and Visiting Research Professor at Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is author/editor of more than 300 publications including the book, Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives (Harvard Education Press, 2025). His research emphasizes the connections between learning to read and learning to write, literacy in the disciplines, and improvement of reading achievement. He was recently recognized as one of the top 2% of scientists in the world (Ioannidis, Boyack, & Baas, 2020). Professor Shanahan is past president of the International Literacy Association. He served on the Advisory Board of the National Institute for Literacy under Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama. Shanahan took a leadership role on the National Reading Panel (NRP), convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the request of Congress to evaluate research on methods for teaching reading. He was inducted to the Reading Hall of Fame in 2007 and is a former first-grade teacher. For more information, visit his website: www.shanahanonliteracy.com

Minard Abenojar, EdD

3rd Grade Teacher

Lower Yukon School District - Pilot Station School

Dr. Minard Abenojar is an award-winning educator and literacy advocate transforming early reading through innovative, technology-driven practices. Recognized as one of the Top 20 Alaska Educators of the Year 2024, he leads impactful efforts that elevate student learning outcomes. In 2026, his 3rd grade class achieved the highest percentage of students reading at or above grade level in the Lower Yukon School District during the MOY mClass DIBELS Reading Assessment. As the pioneer and implementer of Book Creator in the Lower Yukon School District, he champions cultural preservation while advancing digital literacy and has designed K–6 mClass reading digital tools using Book Creator to support literacy development and intervention. He also presented at the ASTE 2025 and 2026 Conferences on “E-Story Alaska: Keeping Tradition Alive Through Digital Narratives,” highlighting how digital storytelling can preserve Indigenous culture and amplify student voice through meaningful, technology-integrated learning experiences.

Kristin Alonzo-Taggart

Assistant Principal

FNSBSD

Kristen Alonzo-Taggart spent several years in the classroom before becoming an assistant principal. She has a strong focus on literacy development in elementary students. She is passionate about helping all students become confident readers and writers while supporting teachers in implementing effective, research-based literacy practices.

Gina Biancarosa, EdD

Associate Professor

University of Oregon

Gina Biancarosa is the Ann Swindells Chair in Education and a full professor in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. She conducts her research at the Center on Teaching and Learning, where she also serves as Director. Biancarosa’s research centers on questions related to more precise and informative measurement of reading, especially of reading comprehension, and modeling of growth in reading over time. Her most recent measurement development research has centered on developing early literacy screeners in Alaska Native languages.

Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning

Implementation and Literacy Consultant

Curriculum Associates

Brittany Blackwell supports educators in making literacy click with intentionality and joy. She’s passionate about strong instruction, meaningful learning, and cheering teachers on every step of the way.

Jodi Carty, Masters of Art in Teaching with endorsement in Reading and Writing, National Board Certified Teacher- Middle Childhood Generalist

General Education Teacher

Copper River School District

Jodi Carty has taught K-5 for 17 years. She is a National Board Certified Teacher- Middle Childhood Generalist and has a Master's Degree in Teaching with an endorsement in Reading and Writing. She was the point person in her district for the Reads Act during its inception.

Jeremy Clark, MS in Elementary Education

Professional Learning Specialist

Curriculum Associates

Jeremy Clark is a professional learning specialist and leadership coach at Curriculum Associates. He has partnered with schools and districts across the Western United States supporting educators and instructional leaders with professional learning and coaching partnerships that connect evidence-based, data-informed instructional practices to real classroom outcomes.

Kristie Clements, MA and C-SLCT

Head of Literacy Content

Greenfield Learning Inc.

Kristie Clements, M.A., C-SLCT was born and raised in Quesnel, British Columbia and attended Northwestern Polytechnic (Grande Prairie, Alberta), received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Augsburg University (Minneapolis, Minnesota), and earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University (Long Beach, California). Kristie began her career in education in the Long Beach Unified School District. This sparked her deep passion and commitment to urban education and literacy for all students. For the last 27 years, she has worked with children and adults as a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, literacy consultant, author, keynote speaker, and professor at a California State University. Kristie is the Head of Literacy Content at Greenfield Learning and the Director of National Literacy Strategy at Eos Learning, where she focuses on building and providing professional learning grounded in a comprehensive reading process rooted in the science and research of the reading brain. In addition, she supports districts and boards in designing and actualizing multi-year literacy visions that prepare educators to deliver Science of Reading-aligned structured literacy instruction. At CSUDH, Kristie teaches coursework in early literacy, the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, classroom management, effective instruction for struggling readers, and data-driven classroom instructional practices.

Kari Dendurent

Assistant Superintendent

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Kari Dendurent is the Assistant Superintendent for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) and a Presenter at the Alaska Science of Reading Symposium. Bringing over two decades of educational leadership experience across Alaska and Florida, she provides districtwide leadership focused on instruction, operations, strategic improvement, and equitable opportunities for all students.

Kari is deeply committed to advancing literacy and instructional excellence. She is a strong advocate for the Alaska Reads Act, leading grassroots implementation efforts and collaborating with other districts across the state to strengthen support systems for reading achievement. Her work also involves developing meaningful data partnerships with external entities to inform decision-making and enhance student outcomes.

Her background includes serving as principal of Homer Middle School, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. She has led schools and programs recognized for innovation, strong community partnerships, and student-centered success.

A certified Alaska superintendent, principal, and K–12 teacher with a reading endorsement, Kari holds a Superintendent Certificate from the University of Alaska Southeast and has completed doctoral work in Educational Leadership at the University of Central Florida.

As a 2024 Alaska Science of Reading Symposium District Reading Ambassador, Kari shares her passion for evidence-based reading instruction and her deep understanding of Alaska’s educational landscape to support schools statewide.

MaryKate DeSantis, EdM, CAS

Educator & Researcher

Left Side Strong LLC

MaryKate DeSantis is the founder of Left Side Strong LLC, an educational organization that supports districts, schools, and families by using evolving science to promote inclusive practices for all children. Her experiences working in a large urban school district as a special educator, reading specialist, and district-wide literacy coach have fueled her passion for translational research to ensure that all children receive evidence-based instruction. MaryKate believes that teachers are agents of change in literacy and are essential to transforming children's lives. Her background in teaching reading sparked an interest in researching language, literacy, and developmental trajectories. This curiosity led her to a full-time faculty position at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in the Speech-Language (SAiL) Literacy Lab under Dr. Tiffany Hogan, and to an ongoing research collaboration with Harvard University's BRIDGES lab, led by Dr. Phil Capin, focused on developing literacy interventions for at-risk students. MaryKate has also served as a clinician in the Neurology Department at Boston Children’s Hospital, is an adjunct professor at the Boston College Lynch School of Human Development, and is a Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology at UCONN under the mentorship of Michael Coyne.

Benjamin Dolgner

Principal Glennallen K-12 Schools

Copper River School District

For more than two decades, Benjamin has dedicated his career to education in Alaska, serving students, families, and communities with a deep commitment to learning, growth, and opportunity. Over the past 21 years, he has worked as an elementary and middle school teacher and as a K–12 principal, experiences that have shaped his understanding of how to support students in diverse and remote settings.

As a K–12 principal, he has worked with students across all grade levels while mentoring teachers and collaborating with families and community partners. Benjamin has prioritized building a positive school culture where every student feels safe, supported, and inspired to succeed, while navigating the unique challenges of rural education. For over two decades, he has dedicated his career to Alaska's education system, serving students, families, and communities with a deep commitment to fostering learning, growth, and opportunity. His 21 years of experience include roles as an elementary and middle school teacher, and as a K–12 principal, which have provided him with a comprehensive understanding of how to support students in diverse and remote settings.

As a K–12 principal, he has mentored teachers, collaborated with families and community partners, and worked with students across all grade levels. He has focused on building a positive school culture where every student feels safe, supported, and inspired to succeed, while effectively navigating the unique challenges inherent in rural education.

Emily Ferry

Family Engagement Coordinator

Association of Alaska School Boards/Alaska Family Engagement Center

As coordinator of the Alaska Family Engagement Center, Emily works with schools across the state to foster strong family-school partnerships.

Angie Gates, MEd

Manager, Literacy Curriculum & Instruction

Curriculum Associates

Angie Gates brings over 30 years of experience in education, including nearly two decades as a classroom teacher in both public and private schools. She has taught students from primary through intermediate grades and is deeply committed to responsive, student-centered instruction. Her background includes gifted education, multi-grade classrooms, and early childhood education from birth to age eight. Angie is known for designing instruction that meets the needs of diverse learners through differentiated strategies, integrated literacy practices, and purposeful use of assessment and data to support student growth.

Currently, Angie serves as Manager of Literacy Curriculum and Instruction, where she leads a team of Literacy Impact Specialists supporting districts in implementing high-quality core literacy programs. She brings expertise in evidence-based literacy instruction, curriculum design, and professional learning. Angie partners with district leaders and educators to strengthen instructional practices, build capacity, and ensure successful implementation. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership and strategic approach, helping schools translate curriculum into effective classroom practice and improved outcomes for students.

Alyson Geldersma

Kindergarten Teacher

Glennallen Elementary School, Copper River School District

Alyson Geldersma has dedicated 16 years to the Copper River School District. She began her career in special education before transitioning to elementary school instruction, where she has spent the last three years teaching kindergarten. Completing the LETRS course and gaining a deeper understanding of the science of reading has significantly boosted her confidence, enabling her to teach reading and build a strong foundational literacy for her kindergarten students.

Shawna Goodwin, M.Ed.

Lead Teacher

Copper River School District

Shawna Goodwin is the Lead Teacher at Kenny Lake School in the Copper River School District, where she currently teaches an enthusiastic group of kindergartners. With 37 years of experience in education, she is deeply committed to helping students reach their full potential—especially in developing strong reading skills.

Throughout her career, Shawna searched for “the thing” that would ensure all students build a solid foundation in literacy. She found that solution in the Science of Reading. After completing LETRS training, she has consistently implemented research-based strategies that have led to measurable growth in her students’ literacy skills. Classroom data continues to affirm the effectiveness of these practices.

Shawna also values collaboration with fellow educators and is passionate about strengthening schoolwide systems. She is energized by the progress taking place across all grade levels and remains dedicated to continuous improvement in literacy instruction.

Karin Halpin, Masters in Reading, Type B certificate

Training & Coaching Coordinator

Association of Alaska School Boards / Alaska Family Engagement Center

Karin has worked in rural-remote Alaskan schools and an urban district as a teacher, a literacy specialist, a principal, and a district administrator. She is now part of the Alaska Family Engagement Center's training and coaching team.

Heather Hennessey, EdD

Education Consultant

Teaching Strategies

Dr. Heather Hennesey, is a Leadership Coach and Early Childhood Education Consultant. She currently works as a Subject Matter Expert at Teaching Strategies, where she supports Districts and Programs with data driven solutions to support high quality implementation and positive student outcomes. She is the former Director of Early Learning in Fort Worth ISD and served as a campus administrator for a Title 1, Dual Language elementary school in Plano, Texas. Dr. Hennesey began her career as an early childhood special education teacher; later she served as an Instructional Coach and Teacher Leader. Dr. Hennesey earned her Masters in Education Leadership from Arizona State University and her Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership from Southern Methodist University. Dr. Hennesey is a past-president and serves on the board of the Texas Association of Administrators and Supervisors of Programs for Young Children (TAASPYC), as well as on the Education Committee for the Fort Worth Botanical Garden. She is a highly sought-after national speaker on topics such as developmentally appropriate practices, family engagement, and change management. She is a life-long learner who believes joy is an essential part of every classroom.

Jennifer Hodges, Teacher, Reading Specialist

Teacher-Grades 3-5

Copper River School District

Jennifer is a LETRS certified and a LETRS Local Certified Facilitator. She is endorsed as a Reading Specialist in the state of Alaska and was honored as an Alaska Reading Ambassador. She has been teaching elementary for 25 years; this is her 8th year teaching a multi-grade class in Kenny Lake School.

Cori Hughes, BA in ECE

Account Representative

Teaching Strategies

Cori Hughes is an Early Childhood Solutions Specialist serving the Northwest Region of the United States as a Direct Representative for Teaching Strategies. In this role, she partners with programs to deliver high-quality early childhood solutions that support positive outcomes for children. Cori is a former Early Learning educator with experience teaching Preschool, Kindergarten, and Early Literacy Intervention programs within Public School Districts in Lincoln, Nebraska and Houston, Texas. She was nominated for Teacher of the Year at Chancellor Elementary in Alief Independent School District in Houston, Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. Cori is deeply committed to creating equitable Early Learning environments where language development and social-emotional learning are foundational. She believes academic rigor is most effective when embedded within play-based curriculum, fostering joyful, meaningful learning experiences for both children and educators.

Janet Johnson, MA in Educational Leadership

Yup'ik Language and Culture Director

Lower Yukon School District

A lifelong educator, Assiingaq Janet Johnson developed a passion for reading as a young Yup’ik girl, inspired by watching her mother create books from everyday household items—using images from cereal boxes and catalogs—and then write short stories for her preschool students.

Assiingaq went on to become a teacher and administrator and now serves as the Yup’ik Language and Culture Director for the Lower Yukon School District. In this role, she encourages teachers to draw on traditional, oral storytelling and everyday experiences to create Yugtun stories that strengthen and sustain the Yup’ik language and culture.

Pam Kastner, EdD

Contributing Faculty Member

Mount Saint Joseph University

Pam Kastner, Ed.D., is a literacy consultant and the former state lead for literacy in Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) Harrisburg. Currently, Dr. Kastner is honored to serve as a contributing faculty member at Mount Saint Joseph University in the Reading Science Program where she teaches in the Masters’ and Doctoral Program and was honored as the Adjunct Professor of the Year in 2023.

Dr. Kastner has presented widely across the United States and Internationally. She partners with State Departments of Education and school districts throughout the nation to provide on-site technical assistance, consultation, and coaching.

Dr. Kastner serves on the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition and has the honor of serving as the President of The Reading League Pennsylvania, The Reading League Journal’s Practitioner Editorial Board, and is a member of The Science of Reading: A Defining Movement coalition.

Noman Khanani, PhD

Senior Researcher

WestEd

Noman Khanani is an applied quantitative methodologist experienced in designing and leading rigorous evaluations of education programs, interventions, and policies. He specializes in experimental and quasi-experimental research, along with applied psychometrics, with a focus on early literacy, math education, and educator labor markets

Leslie Laud, EdD

Director

Releasing Writers

Dr. Leslie Laud, director of Releasing Writers, supports districts and states nationally with strengthening writing instruction. She has taught in both general and special education, and worked as a principal. She now leads research studies. She holds a doctorate from Columbia University. She has served as co-PI and lead PI on federally-funded large research studies of writing instruction, publishes empirical studies in peer-reviewed journals, presents frequently at national conferences and is the author of Executive Skills and Writing Instruction.

Jon Lavelle

Migrant Ed Recruiter/Family Event Coordinator

Lower Kuskokwim School District

Jon LaValle has worked in the Lower Kuskokwim School District for 23 years, including 20 years as a junior high math teacher. In 2018, he was honored as the district’s Teacher of the Year. He also served as a high school Behavior Interventionist, which strengthened his work in student support and relationships. Currently, he is part of the Migrant Education Department, where he focuses on building strong connections between families and schools. He is especially passionate about increasing the involvement of dads and male role models in education and creating meaningful opportunities for them to engage in their children’s learning.

Kathleen McCaffery, EdD

Literacy Specialist & Researcher, New Hampshire Department of Education | EdTech Founder

My Path to Learning

Dr. Kathleen McCaffery is a literacy leader advancing research-aligned instruction across classrooms, systems, and policy. Her work centers on translating the Science of Reading into scalable practice, equipping educators with the tools, knowledge, and insight needed to elevate student achievement.

Jamey Peavler, EdD, OGA-FIT

Graduate Reading Science Program Director, Assistant Professor

Mount St. Joseph University

Jamey Peavler is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Graduate Reading Science Program at Mount St. Joseph University. Before joining The Mount, Jamey served as the Director of Training for the M.A. Rooney Foundation, providing Orton-Gillingham training for teachers across Indiana. She was an Instructional Coach and classroom teacher for Indianapolis Public Schools for 20 years. Jamey reviews higher education textbooks and teacher licensure exams for the National Council on Teacher Quality. She is a Certified Fellow-in-Training with the Orton-Gillingham Academy and an International Dyslexia Association Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist. Jamey serves on the Editorial Board for the International Dyslexia Association’s Perspectives in Language and Literacy journal and has over 18 combined years of service on the board of the Reading League’s Indiana and IDA Indiana Chapters.

Tiffany Peltier, PhD

Segment Director

NWEA & The Center for Model Schools

Dr. Tiffany Peltier is a researcher and expert in early literacy, reading difficulties, and dyslexia, with multiple peer-reviewed publications on reading and math assessment, intervention, and teacher training. As Segment Director at NWEA and the Center for Model Schools, she translates research into actionable products aligned with the science of learning for leaders and educators. She has developed and facilitated professional learning nationwide, is the president of the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), and serves on the National Advisory Board for Learning Ally. Dr. Peltier actively works to bridge research and practice, combat misconceptions through learning science, and support data-driven decisions at the state, district, school, and classroom levels.

Yurrliq Nita Rearden, MD in Cross Cultural Studies

MD in Cross Cultural Studies

Yup'ik Consultant/Arts

Yurrliq Nita is a life time educator, retired, grandmother, mother, auntie, sewer, and mentors. She is married to Mike Rearden and have 4 children and 7 grandchildren which she continues to do subsistence living and activities with them.

Ashley Rebiskie, MA

Director of Learning & Impact

Greenfield Learning Inc.

Ashley Rebiskie is a dedicated educator and leader committed to transforming student outcomes through meaningful professional learning. With over a decade of experience as a teacher and academic coach, along with 10 years as the Director of Learning & Impact, Ashley has a deep understanding of how strategic professional development empowers educators and drives student success.

Jason Roslansky

Assistant Superintendent

Copper River School District

Jason L. Roslansky is an experienced educational leader with nearly 25 years in education, serving in both private and public school settings throughout his career. A graduate of South Dakota State University and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he brings a hard-nosed, mission-focused approach to getting things done for kids. His career has spanned South Dakota, Minnesota, and Alaska, where he has served as a teacher, coach, principal, and Assistant Superintendent.

Darren Schlepp, MEd

Professional Learning Specialist

Keys to Literacy

Darren is a Professional Development Implementation Specialist and national consultant with Keys to Literacy. He partners with state departments of education, districts, and schools across the country to design and deliver evidence-based literacy professional learning and coaching that drives meaningful instructional change.

With extensive experience as both an educator and school leader, Darren brings deep expertise in implementing the Science of Reading, strengthening MTSS frameworks, and building coherent systems that support sustainable literacy improvement. As a building leader, he led efforts that resulted in measurable gains in student literacy outcomes and was recognized as a National Distinguished Principal for Montana. He is known for helping leaders translate research into daily practice through strong implementation structures, including PLCs, coaching, and continuous improvement processes.

Darren is a sought-after presenter who has shared his work at local, state, and national levels, and he brings that same clarity and practicality to every engagement. In addition to his client-facing work, he serves as a mentor to Keys to Literacy’s national consultant team and leads the Certified Facilitator model, supporting scalable, high-quality professional learning for educators and leaders nationwide.

Laura Scott, BA in Elementary Teacher

First Grade Teacher

Copper River School District

Laura has been an educator with the Copper River School District for five years. For the first three of those years, she served as the District's reading interventionist, and this year she returned to the classroom to teach first grade.

Her time at CRSD has been a valuable and positive experience, largely because of the supportive and encouraging staff. They share a collective commitment to providing the best possible education for their students and families.

Caitlin Scott, PhD

Director

Marzano Research

Dr. Caitlin Scott oversees a portfolio of literacy evaluations, technical assistance, and professional development at Marzano Research. She leads the evaluation of Alaska's 2024 Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant and Alaska's literacy partnership through the Regional Education Laboratory (REL) in the Northwest. Her experience in Alaska dates back to 2009, as an evaluation assistant for Alaska’s federal Reading First grant. She looks forward to supporting Alaska’s literacy work at the Alaska Science of Reading Symposium and beyond.

Sylvia Thompson, PhD

Professor

University of Oregon

Sylvia Linan-Thompson, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the University of Oregon in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences and is affiliated with the Center on Teaching and Learning. Her primary research interests are examining and developing appropriate literacy instructional and assessment practices for multilingual students Including co-directing the L-SAILL project in Alaska. She also works as a literacy specialist on international development projects in education in collaboration with the World Bank, UNESCO, and the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop reading curriculum and assessments worldwide, including extensive academic and field expertise in mother-tongue and second language literacy in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. She has authored articles, chapters, and books on these topics.

Rachel Tripathy, MA

Senior Research Associate

REL Northwest

Rachel Tripathy is a senior researcher with REL Northwest focused on early literacy. Her research centers on equity in education, early literacy development, and reading policy, with particular expertise in iterative program development research using approaches from human-centered design and implementation science to generate evidence for program and policy improvement.

Keynote Speakers

Elizabeth Bassford, MSEd

Jan Hasbrouck, PhD

Elfrieda Hiebert, PhD

Lindsay Kemeny, MS

Anthony Muhammad, PhD

Timothy Shanahan, PhD

Breakout Session Speakers

Minard Abenojar, EdD

Kristin Alonzo-Taggart

Gina Biancarosa, EdD

Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning

Jodi Carty, Masters of Art in Teaching with Endorsement in Reading and Writing, National Board Certified Teacher- Middle Childhood Generalist

Jeremy Clark, MS in Elementary Education

Kristie Clements, MA and C-SLCT

Kari Dendurent

MaryKate DeSantis, EdM, CAS

Benjamin Dolgner

Emily Ferry

Angie Gates, MEd

Alyson Geldersma

Shawna Goodwin, M.Ed.

Karin Halpin, Masters in Reading, Type B certificate

Heather Hennessey, EdD

Jennifer Hodges, Teacher, Reading Specialist

Cori Hughes, BA in ECE

Janet Johnson, MA in Educational Leadership

Pam Kastner, EdD

Noman Khanani, PhD

Leslie Laud, EdD

Jon Lavelle

Kathleen McCaffery, EdD

Jamey Peavler, EdD, OGA-FIT

Tiffany Peltier, PhD

Yurrliq Nita Rearden, MD in Cross Cultural Studies

Ashley Rebiskie, MA

Jason Roslansky

Darren Schlepp, MEd

Laura Scott, BA in Elementary Teacher

Caitlin Scott, PhD

Sylvia Thompson, PhD

Rachel Tripathy, MA

Elizabeth Bassford, MSEd

Jan Hasbrouck, PhD

Elfrieda Hiebert, PhD

Lindsay Kemeny, MS

Anthony Muhammad, PhD

Timothy Shanahan, PhD

Minard Abenojar, EdD

Kristin Alonzo-Taggart

Gina Biancarosa, EdD

Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning

Jodi Carty, Masters of Art in Teaching with endorsement in Reading and Writing, National Board Certified Teacher- Middle Childhood Generalist

Jeremy Clark, MS in Elementary Education

Kristie Clements, MA and C-SLCT

Kari Dendurent

MaryKate DeSantis, EdM, CAS

Benjamin Dolgner

Emily Ferry

Angie Gates, MEd

Alyson Geldersma

Shawna Goodwin, M.Ed.

Karin Halpin, Masters in Reading, Type B certificate

Heather Hennessey, EdD

Jennifer Hodges, Teacher, Reading Specialist

Cori Hughes, BA in ECE

Janet Johnson, MA in Educational Leadership

Pam Kastner, EdD

Noman Khanani, PhD

Leslie Laud, EdD

Jon Lavelle

Kathleen McCaffery, EdD

Jamey Peavler, EdD, OGA-FIT

Tiffany Peltier, PhD

Yurrliq Nita Rearden, MD in Cross Cultural Studies

Ashley Rebiskie, MA

Jason Roslansky

Darren Schlepp, MEd

Laura Scott, BA in Elementary Teacher