Beyond the NFL: How Literacy Transformed My Life and Opened Doors I Never Knew Existed

Presentation: 

Former NFL wide receiver Deon Butler shares the moment that truly changed his life—and it wasn’t the day he signed his contract or stepped onto an NFL field. It was the moment he learned to read with confidence for the first time. In this inspiring keynote, Deon opens up about growing up as a struggling reader, chasing one dream because he didn’t believe he had any others, and the breakthrough that expanded his entire future. His story is raw, honest, and full of hope. Attendees will walk away energized, reminded of the power of literacy, and inspired by what becomes possible when someone finally believes in their own potential.

Bio:

Deon L. Butler is a former NFL athlete, widely esteemed motivational speaker, and author of the book, “The Gift & Curse - One Man’s Journey with Dyslexia.”

At an early age, Butler struggled to read, spell and comprehend. In middle school, he felt isolated, frustrated and was bullied by his peers. Going into high school, Butler was determined to overcome obstacles and later graduated - all while reading at a fourth grade level and earned a full-ride scholarship to Central Michigan University.

In college, Butler faced continued setbacks both in the classroom and on the football field. He was told by a professor that he would not succeed and struggled to read playbooks. Nevertheless, Butler pushed through the barriers by graduating again on a fourth grade reading level, and received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for the Detroit Lions.

Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Butler learned to ask for help, go the extra mile, and used negative feedback to fuel success. Today, Butler spends time speaking with and motivating young future leaders across the country to thrive against all odds, redefining success in the midst of learning differences, and turning pain into great purpose.

Credentials:
Deon L. Butler-B.S. Education, Central Michigan University, Author of The Gift And Curse, One Man's Journey With Dyslexia, National Speaker, Dyslexia Activist

Disclosures:
Financial: Deon L. Butler is CEO and Owner of Stand Strong Services LLC

Cracking the Code: How Alphabet Knowledge Fuels Decoding

Presentation: 

Students often learn to name letters, but recognizing letter names is not the same as using them to read words. In this session, we’ll take a closer look at how alphabet knowledge actually functions within the word recognition domain, and why so many students can recite the alphabet but still struggle to decode. We’ll focus on the instructional moves that shift alphabet knowledge from simple identification to real application. You’ll leave with a clearer way to strengthen sound-symbol connections, reduce guessing, and support accurate decoding.

Time: # minutes

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Angela Griffith is a literacy specialist and national presenter with 18 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education. She currently serves as an ARI Interventionist and is a dyslexia therapist-in-training (CALT trainee). Angela holds a Master’s and Ed.S in Elementary Education and is trained in structured literacy through LETRS. Over the years, she has refined her literacy instruction through a research-based approach, empowering teachers across the country to create positive and effective literacy experiences for their students. 

Credentials:

TBD


Disclosures:

Financial: Angela is the owner of The Daily Alphabet, where she creates and sells literacy resources, as well as through the Teachers Pay Teachers website. She also provides professional development and receives compensation for training and workshops. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic.

Non-Financial: Angela has no non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Hands-On Literacy: Multi-Sensory Scaffolds for Executive Function Support

Presentation: 

When the cognitive load of a reading lesson exceeds a student's executive function capacity, learning grinds to a halt. In this session, Danielle Mimbs, M.Ed., LBS1, explores the critical connection between executive function and literacy to bridge the gap between the Science of Reading and the reality of the neurodiverse brain. Shifting the focus from what we teach to how a child’s system processes language, Danielle shares a collection of sensory-informed 'brain hacks' and practical tweaks to make instruction more accessible and successful. Participants will leave with immediate, low-prep scaffolds to meet students exactly where they are, as they explore how visual anchors and movement-based resets can bypass working memory bottlenecks, making structured literacy instruction truly 'stick' for every child.

Time: # minutes

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio: 

"Every child is capable…sometimes we just need to think like a kid and tweak the approach to meet them where they are." With over a decade of experience in elementary education and a K–9 teaching certification, Danielle Mimbs has dedicated her career to the belief that a strong educational foundation begins with connection and hands-on exploration. After earning her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and becoming a Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1), Danielle realized that Social-Emotional Learning and playful, STEAM-based learning are the essential cores that allow students to feel confident and resilient. As a mother to three young boys, each with their own unique sensory profile, Danielle lives the reality of neurodiversity every day. Danielle serves as a practical "teacher-friend" for parents in the early childhood space. Now, as a Preschool Curriculum Creator, she focuses on making learning fun and enjoyable, helping parents build 21st-century skills and a solid academic foundation so that every child can grow to truly love learning.

Disclosures:

Financial: Danielle Mimbs is the owner and creator of educational resources sold through Teachers Pay Teachers as well as her own platform. She receives compensation for the sale of preschool curricula, parenting guides, and STEAM resources. Additionally, Danielle receives compensation for her work as a Special Education Advocate helping families navigate the IEP process.

Non-Financial: Danielle Mimbs has no non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Finding Families: How morphological understanding strengthens vocabulary  

Presentation: 

fairly-fairy-unfair?  Are they all morphologically related? What about archery-monarchy or dictionary-dictator? The aim of this workshop is to increase your confidence in identifying words that are morphologically related. We’ll start with some seemingly simple words and look at clues you can give your young or inexperienced word inquirers. We’ll also examine some words that will have most of us wondering if they are related or not, and talk about ways to determine the relationship with greater confidence. Tools we will use include boxing the base, words sums, and lexical matrices. Finding related words bolsters students’ ability to read and spell, and is a powerful strategy for strengthening vocabulary. 

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Fiona Hamilton is the owner and director of Wordtorque. With 38 years of Australian and international educational experience, she provides educators with accurate information about English orthography and easy-to-implement teaching strategies. Words take fascinating journeys, twisting through history in meaning, pronunciation, spelling, and structure. Wordtorque brings that journey into classrooms, combining explicit teaching with inquiry so students truly understand words. They become word noticers who grow into word knowers - readers and thinkers with skills to explore connections, build vocabulary, and understand language deeply.

Credentials:
Bachelor of Education (K-6), Masters of Education (Literacy), Masters of Education (Administration), Literacy Coaching Certification  

Disclosures:

Financial: Fiona is the founder of Wordtorque, a subsidiary of Hamilton Sheridan Enterprises Limited. She presents and sells workshops, produces materials, runs an on-line conference, and provides professional learning with schools. She is the co-author of The High Frequency Word Project which includes both a book and study booklets. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic.

Non-Financial: The presenter does not have any non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Six Non-Academic Success Tricks for Kids with Learning Differences

Presentation: 

Kait will walk you through the Six Success Tricks Course the Redwood Literacy team has built out for parents and teachers based on Frostig’s six success attributes. You will get free access to a 6-week program that helps you build the six success skills that predict long-term growth for learners with learning differences—so you’re not just getting through school… you’re building what matters most.
Perfect for families at home, teachers in classrooms, or tutors in sessions—because every lesson is short, scripted, and easy to use right away.
 
What's Included:
✓ 6 weeks of guided content
✓ Short, scripted 15-minute daily lessons (easy to stick with)
✓ A video for every lesson (press play, then talk and apply it right away)
✓ Lifetime access (repeat anytime)
 
In 15 minutes a day, you'll help your student:
✓ Build confidence + follow-through
✓ Handle challenges without shutdowns
✓ Set goals and keep going when it’s hard
✓ Learn how to use support systems 
✓Strengthen routines and relationships that support learning
 

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes: 

TBD

Bio:

Kait Feriante is the Co-Founder & CEO of Redwood Literacy, Co-Founder of Redwood Schools, and Creator @ Writing Our World™. For more than 15 years, she has partnered with families, educators, and schools to design structured, high-dosage literacy intervention models grounded in the science of reading. Kait’s work focuses on closing the gap between identification and meaningful progress for students with dyslexia and related learning differences. She is passionate about helping parents understand what effective intervention truly looks like and supporting educators in building systems that deliver measurable growth with clarity, consistency, and confidence.

Credentials:
High School Dropout:) Learning Behavior Specialist & Dyslexia Expert 


Disclosures:
Financial: Kait Feriante is the CEO and Co-Founder of Redwood Literacy, which is a national company that provides best-in-class services and products for kids with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and their parents. She is also the creator of Writing Our World™, a written expression curriculum for students with dyslexia. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic. Non-

Non-Financial: The presenter is also Co-Founder @ Everstone Academy, a Chicago-based non-profit dedicated to supporting students with learning differences and their families. 

Strategies for Running Successful Orton-Gillingham Groups

Presentation: 

Kathleen's presentation will focus on the structure of her small group lessons and how she manages her time. She will share video examples of simple and engaging activities. Kathleen's lessons are structured, but she incorporates as much fun as possible so that her students are engaged. 

Time: # minutes

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Kathleen Germs is the CEO of Soaring Readers Literacy Consulting, a company she founded after 12 years as a classroom teacher to pursue her passion for literacy education. She specializes in supporting students with dyslexia and mentors teachers across North America. Drawing on her own experience with adhd, Kathleen brings a unique, multisensory approach to structured literacy instruction, incorporating hands-on learning and purposeful movement breaks. She is committed to not only developing strong literacy skills through the Orton-Gillingham method (in one-on-one or small group settings), but also to fostering confidence and self-esteem in her students. Dedicated to continuous growth, Kathleen regularly engages in professional learning to refine her practice, driven by her passion for helping every child learn to read and believe in themselves. Kathleen's next professional goal is to officially become a Certified Dyslexia Specialist and to create programs for parents to utilize at home that will truly help their children learn to read and spell.

Credentials:
B.ED, A/OGOA

Disclosures:

Financial: Kathleen Germs is the owner of Soaring Readers Literacy Consulting, a private literacy practice, receiving compensation as a consultant. She has an online store via TeachersPayTeachers where she sells resources literacy resources to parents and teachers. She has a YouTube, Tiktok and Instagram channel and occasionally makes money through partnerships via Instagram.

Non-Financial: Kathleen is a member of OGA.

What Struggling Spellers Are Missing: The Case for Explicit Short Vowel Instruction

Presentation: 

Struggling spellers are often missing two critical foundations: phonemic awareness and explicit knowledge of spelling generalizations. In this session, participants will explore the connection between sound-level skills and short vowel spelling patterns, and learn why hoping students "pick it up" isn't enough. Walk away with a framework for explicitly teaching short vowel generalizations in a way that finally makes spelling make sense.

Time: # minutes

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Lauren Kline, M.S., CCC-SLP, A/OGA, C-SLDI is a speech-language pathologist and literacy specialist with over 10 years of experience at the intersection of language, reading, and education. She specializes in working with students with dyslexia and children with speech sound disorders who struggle to read, bridging speech-language pathology and structured literacy to translate the science of reading into strategies educators can put to use right away.

Credentials:
M.S. CCC-SLP, A/OGA, C-SLDI

Disclosures:
Financial: Lauren earns a salary from Bjorem Publications and royalties from the sales of specific products. Additionally, she earns compensation from Lauren Kline Speech Therapy LLC and Lauren Kline Speech Therapy TPT Store.

Non-Financial: Lauren is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association and the Orton-Gillingham Academy.

Teaching Reading and Writing When Words Get in the Way

Presentation: 

The words we use to teach matter more than we often realize, especially because written language disabilities frequently co-occur with oral language difficulties (clinical or subclinical). This session examines how instructional language has potential to support or inhibit students' literacy learning. We’ll examine how to keep instructional language from becoming a barrier for our students - by keeping it clear, consistent, minimal, and anchored in spoken language. Routines and visual cues can reduce cognitive load, freeing up working memory for real learning. Participants will leave with concrete, immediately applicable strategies for making literacy instruction clearer, more accessible, and better matched to the needs of their most challenging learners.

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes: 

TBD

Bio:

Leanne Dall, MHSc., CCC-SLP, is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and founder of Dallhouse Speech and Language, a boutique private practice supporting students with language-based learning disabilities, including Developmental Language Disorder and dyslexia, and their families. She currently serves as Director of Student Services and Literacy Interventionist at a K–8 school in Cincinnati. Leanne is the author of the Bjorem Speech Story Cue Card Deck, Past Tense Verb Deck, Spelling with Homophones Deck, and the newly released CVC Links and Ladders Deck. She is deeply passionate about linking speech, language, and literacy for meaningful impact using a speech to print approach to reading and spelling instruction. Across her work in schools, private practice, and professional collaboration, Leanne is known as a strong advocate, curious learner, and resourceful problem-solver.

Credentials:

MHSc., CCC-SLP

Disclosures:

Financial: Leanne is the owner of Dallhouse Speech and Language, LLC, where she provides assessment, intervention and consultation services. She is receiving a honorarium to present this topic. She is the author of several Bjorem Publications products and receives royalties from the sales of specific products.

Non-Financial: Leanne is a Member of the American Speech and Hearing Association. 

Small Shifts, Big Gains: The Science of Reading in Real Classrooms

Presentation: 

This session is designed for teachers who want practical ways to strengthen literacy instruction without feeling like they have to change everything at once. Grounded in the Science of Reading, it will focus on simple, high impact routines that can be used right away to support decoding, spelling, and oral language in everyday classroom instruction. Together, we will look at small shifts that can make a big difference for students, especially those who are struggling. Participants will explore easy to use lesson routines, quick checks for understanding, and classroom examples that connect research to real practice. The goal is for teachers to leave feeling encouraged, supported, and equipped with ideas they can bring back to their classrooms right away.

Time: # minutes

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Melanie Brethour is an elementary resource teacher from Montreal, Quebec, and the founder of Soar With Dyslexia. Her passion for dyslexia awareness and structured literacy began when her own son was diagnosed with dyslexia, a moment that transformed both her personal and professional journey. Since then, she has been committed to helping parents and educators better understand dyslexia, early identification, and evidence based literacy instruction. Through presentations, social media, and her advocacy work, Melanie shares practical tools, encouragement, and research based information to help more students become successful readers.

Credentials:
Elementary Resource Teacher

Orton Gillingham trained

CERI Structured Literacy Teacher

Founder of Decoding Dyslexia Quebec and Soar With Dyslexia

2023 Dyslexia Teacher of the Year

2024 Dyslexia Canada Excellence Award recipient

Disclosures:

Melanie is a resource teacher, founder of Decoding Dyslexia Quebec, creator of Soar With Dyslexia, and a volunteer with Dyslexia Canada.

Non-Financial: The presenter does not have any non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Making Words Stick: The What, Why, and How of Orthographic Mapping

Presentation: 

The adult reader instantly recognizes 50,000 words. How did they get there? Through orthographic mapping - a process in which a word’s meaning, appearance, and sound structure become glued together for instant recognition. In advance of Dr. Ness’s 2025 Scholastic book on orthographic mapping, this session does the following: Explain why words must be mapped, not memorized; Showcase the theory and research behind orthographic mapping; Give instructional routines to build readers’ sight word identification.

Time: # minutes

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. Dr. Ness has extensive experience in reading clinics, consulting with school districts, leading professional development, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction. She provided literacy leadership for nationally recognized literacy non-profits, as well as major educational publishers. In 2024, Molly was invited to serve on the New York State Dyslexia Task Force. A frequent speaker and presenter, her happy place is translating the science of reading to schools and teachers. As a tireless literacy advocate, Molly created the End Book Deserts podcast, which brings awareness to the 32 million American children who lack access to books. She is currently writing a forthcoming Scholastic book, helping teachers understand orthographic mapping. In 2024, she founded Dirigo Literacy, a literacy consulting firm supporting schools, districts, and states align with and implement the science of reading. When she is not reading and writing about reading and writing, Dr. Ness is driving her ice-hockey obsessed teenage daughter to the rink, learning how to fly fish, or hiking with her poorly behaved goldendoodle.

Credentials:
Molly earned a doctorate in reading education at the University of Virginia, and spent 16 years as an associate professor at Fordham University in New York City. The author of five books, Molly served on the Board of Directors for the International Literacy Association and is a New York state chapter founder of the Reading League. 

Disclosures:

Financial Molly is the founder of Dirigo Literacy, an educational consulting firm acquired by Solution Tree. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic. She is the author of Making Words Stick and receives royalties upon publication.

Non-Financial: The presenter does not have any non-financial conflicts to disclose.

How to create confidence to be ready for adult life

Presentation: 

The confidence your child builds now will shape everything about their adult life — their career, their relationships, and how they see themselves. In this session, Natalie Brooks — founder of Dyslexia Unlocked and author of Dyslexia Unlocked — shares what actually works when raising a child with dyslexia who believes in themselves. Having navigated her own dyslexia and experienced first-hand the confusion of not knowing how to help herself, Natalie wrote Dyslexia Unlocked as the manual she wished she'd had. Leave with clear, practical guidance to help your child build the foundations for a confident, fulfilling adult life. Because when children with dyslexia are supported in the right way, they don't just cope — they flourish.

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Natalie Brooks is a leading specialist in dyslexia and founder of Dyslexia in Adults, built due to her own struggles with adult dyslexia. Since 2019 she has coached over 1,500 adults, accumulating 750+ hours of coaching experience and a qualification in executive function. She is the author of Dyslexia Unlocked and has worked with Virgin StartUp, Microsoft, and Boston Consulting Group. With over 150,000 social media followers, Natalie is one of the most recognised voices in the dyslexia space.

Credentials:
Executive Function Qualification
Author of Dyslexia Unlocked
Founder of Dyslexia in Adults
750+ Hours of Coaching Experience
1,500+ Adults Supported
150,000+ Social Media Followers
Worked with Virgin StartUp, Microsoft & Boston Consulting Group


Disclosures:

Financial Disclosure:
Natalie Brooks is the founder of Dyslexia in Adults. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic. She is the author of Dyslexia Unlocked and receives royalties upon publication.

Non-Financial Disclosure:
The presenter does not have any non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Rethinking Fidelity: When Following the Program Isn't Enough

Presentation: 

What does fidelity really mean in science of reading–aligned core instruction? While consistent implementation of a high-quality curriculum matters, student data sometimes reveals gaps that require thoughtful refinement.  This session examines how to balance program integrity with responsiveness to literacy data. Participants will explore how to use screening data to evaluate the effectiveness of Tier 1 instruction, identify patterns that signal a need for adjustment, and make targeted adjustments while maintaining alignment to evidence-based practices.  Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for distinguishing between fidelity to the program and fidelity to student learning, and practical guidance for strengthening core instruction when data indicates it’s needed.

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Rachel Beiswanger is a K-12 special education literacy coach. She works as an interventionist and leads literacy initiatives to implement evidence-based instruction at her school in Upstate NY. She holds a master of education in reading and has been an educator for 14 years. In addition to teaching, Rachel delivers professional learning for educators and schools across the U.S on how to use assessment data to plan intentional, evidence-based literacy instruction. Rachel is passionate about helping educators bridge research to practice. She believes that prevention is the key to ending the literacy crisis.

Credentials:
M.Ed. Education
K-12 Reading Specialist
BA Elementary Education

Disclosures:

Financial:
Rachel Beiswanger creates and sells educational resources for teachers through her Teachers Pay Teachers store and receives compensation for professional learning presentations.

Non-Financial: The presenter does not have any non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Spell It to Read It: Practical Spelling Routines That Build Stronger Readers

Presentation: 

Spelling instruction is one of the most powerful, and underused, tools for strengthening reading. In this practical session, literacy and dyslexia specialist Rebecca Bush shares simple routines that help teachers turn spelling into a daily engine for both decoding and encoding across K–5. Learn how to quickly analyze spelling errors, identify the next instructional step, and integrate phoneme–grapheme mapping, pattern generalization, morphology, and purposeful dictation into everyday lessons. You’ll leave with low-prep routines and classroom-ready strategies that strengthen reading and spelling in both intervention and general education settings.

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Rebecca Bush, MEd, CALT, LDT, is a nationally recognized dyslexia expert, literacy specialist, and author of Dyslexia & Your Newly Diagnosed Child. With nearly 20 years of experience across classrooms, school leadership, consulting, and private practice, she helps families and educators translate literacy research into practical, compassionate action. Rebecca specializes in evidence-based dyslexia intervention, structured literacy instruction, and helping parents and teachers understand assessment data so they can make confident decisions that support children’s reading development.

Credentials:
Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) — Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA); Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT), Texas; Author, Dyslexia & Your Newly Diagnosed Child (Zeitgeist/Penguin Random House); M.Ed., Advanced Literacy — Concordia University of Texas; M.A., Elementary Education — University of Alabama; Certified Reading Specialist, Texas; Certified Special Education Teacher, Texas

Disclosures:

Financial:
Rebecca Bush owns a private literacy and dyslexia therapy practice, Literacy Lead Changes LLC, where she provides consultation, parent coaching, and literacy services. She is the author of Dyslexia & Your Newly Diagnosed Child (Zeitgeist, an imprint of Penguin Random House). She will receive an honorarium to present this session.

Non-Financial:
Rebecca Bush is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) through the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist in Texas. She serves on the board of the Houston Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (HBIDA), a non-profit organization.

When Reading Struggle Looks Like Behavior: Finding Hidden Roadblocks and Re-Engaging Students

Presentation: 

Some students continue to guess, avoid, shut down, or appear off-task even when they are receiving reading support. In many cases, what looks like behavior is actually a sign of an unresolved skill breakdown, repeated frustration, or emotional overload during learning. In this session, Robin Carbajal, M.Ed., LDT, CALT, will help educators recognize the difference between willful noncompliance and protective responses to reading difficulty. Participants will learn how to identify common hidden roadblocks, make more precise instructional decisions, and respond to errors in ways that protect student dignity while keeping learning moving forward. Attendees will leave with practical ways to re-engage struggling readers and support stronger progress.

Time: # minutes

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

TBD

Bio:

Robin Carbajal, M.Ed., LDT, CALT, has over two decades of experience helping students with dyslexia and complex reading difficulties. She specializes in identifying the roadblocks that keep struggling readers stuck, even when they are receiving structured literacy support. Known for her practical, whole-child approach, Robin helps educators understand how reading difficulty, emotional overload, and off-task behavior often intersect, so they can re-engage students and remove barriers to progress.

Credentials:
-Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA)
-Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT), Texas
-Master of Education (M.Ed.), Special Education, Dyslexia Emphasis, Midwestern State University


Disclosures:

Financial: Robin Carbajal is the founder of The Dyslexia Roadmap, where she creates parent resources, courses, and educational materials related to dyslexia, reading support, self-esteem, and self-advocacy. She also receives compensation as a dyslexia therapist and educator through her private work with families. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic.

Non-Financial: Robin Carbajal, M.Ed., LDT, CALT, is a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist and Certified Academic Language Therapist with over 20 years of experience helping children with dyslexia build reading skills, confidence, and self-advocacy.

Language vs. Disability: Distinguishing Difference from Disorder

Presentation: 

This session provides a clear framework for distinguishing language difference from disability during the evaluation process. Through real-world examples and case data, participants will learn how to synthesize information across language proficiency, cognitive, and academic domains to make informed, legally sound eligibility decisions.

Time: # minutes

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes: 

TBD

Bio:

Roxana is a Spanish native speaker and a Bilingual Educational Diagnostician based in Texas. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Texas and a Master's degree in Special Education from Midwestern State University. Roxana's commitment and passion lie in ensuring accurate identification and assessment of emergent bilingual students. With over a decade of experience in educational evaluations, Roxana is deeply committed to mentoring and instructing others to excel as evaluators and case managers. Her approach emphasizes efficiency and resource-sharing to maximize outcomes in her field.

Roxana is the content creator and owner of The Bilingual Diag, LLC, and strives to use the platform to mentor, provide targeted professional development, and share resources with other professionals in the special education field. Specializing in best practices for emergent bilingual evaluations, her overarching goal is to empower fellow evaluators with the necessary skills and resources to effectively evaluate this demographic. Through her dedication, Roxana strives to uphold the highest standards in educational assessment and contribute to the success of emergent bilingual learners.

Credentials:
Bilingual Educational Diagnostician

Disclosures:

Financial Disclosure:
Roxana Stanley is the owner of The Bilingual Diag, LLC, which provides professional development and educational resources for educational diagnosticians. She may reference tools, frameworks, or materials related to her work during this presentation.

Non-Financial Disclosure:

Roxana Stanley serves as Lead Bilingual Educational Diagnostician for HEB ISD.

Beyond Definitions: Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Building Brilliant Lexicons

Presentation: 

Strong vocabulary knowledge is a critical driver of reading comprehension and academic success, yet many educators are left wondering: How do we actually teach words in ways that stick? In this session, participants will explore research-informed approaches to vocabulary instruction that move beyond memorizing definitions. Drawing on insights from the science of reading and language development, we will examine how vocabulary connects to phonology, orthography, and meaning in the brain. Participants will learn practical classroom routines for introducing, discussing, and reinforcing new words so students hear, read, say, and use them in meaningful ways. Through engaging examples and ready-to-use strategies, educators will leave with tools to help students build rich, connected lexicons that support reading, writing, and comprehension across content areas.

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Objectives:

TBD

Bio:

Sarah Paul has over 20 years of experience supporting students as a teacher, tutor, and reading interventionist. She currently works with her school district’s high-impact tutoring program, where she helps coach tutors, support instruction, and contribute to curriculum development. Through this work, she collaborates with educators to translate research-based practices into effective classroom and intervention instruction. Sarah has been blogging at Sarah’s Teaching Snippets since 2010, where she shares practical ideas and resources to help teachers make reading instruction clear and accessible. She is also the co-founder of Logos Literacy Academy, where she develops courses and resources to help educators bring morphology and meaningful word study into their classrooms.

Credentials:
M.Ed., Educational Leadership, University of Oregon

B.A., Educational Studies, University of Oregon

Reading Endorsement, Portland State University

LETRS Training

Structured Word Inquiry and Orton-Gillingham Training, Dyslexia Training Institute

Lead Teacher, High Impact Tutoring Program, Portland Public Schools

Disclosures:

Financial:

Sarah Paul and Michelle Sullivan are co-founders of Logos Literacy Academy, where they develop and sell professional learning courses and instructional materials related to reading and morphology.

Sarah Paul also creates and sells educational resources for teachers through her website and Teachers Pay Teachers store and receives compensation for professional learning presentations.

Non-Financial: None

Beyond Definitions: Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Building Brilliant Lexicons

Presentation: 

Strong vocabulary knowledge is a critical driver of reading comprehension and academic success, yet many educators are left wondering: How do we actually teach words in ways that stick? In this session, participants will explore research-informed approaches to vocabulary instruction that move beyond memorizing definitions. Drawing on insights from the science of reading and language development, we will examine how vocabulary connects to phonology, orthography, and meaning in the brain. Participants will learn practical classroom routines for introducing, discussing, and reinforcing new words so students hear, read, say, and use them in meaningful ways. Through engaging examples and ready-to-use strategies, educators will leave with tools to help students build rich, connected lexicons that support reading, writing, and comprehension across content areas.

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Objectives:

TBD

Bio:

Michelle Sullivan is the founder of The Colorful Classroom, co-founder of Logos Literacy Academy, host of the Literacy in Color podcast, and children’s book author. With 17 years in education, including over a decade in literacy-focused roles, Michelle has served as a small group reading interventionist, instructional literacy coach, and now literacy consultant. She is both Orton-Gillingham & LETRS trained, and has immersed herself in hundreds of hours of Science of Reading professional learning opportunities and self-study. With a mission to empower elementary teachers, Michelle shares Science of Reading-aligned tips, tools, and strategies to help educators deliver strong, evidence-based literacy instruction. She encourages teachers to bring color to their teaching, through intentional multisensory practices, and to show up as bold, vibrant advocates for their students, cultivating a love for learning and literacy. After all, the goal is to Captivate Our Learners On Reading Fluently & Understanding Language (yes, it spells COLORFUL, because who doesn’t love a good acronym?).

Credentials:
M.A.T., Teaching, Liberty University

B.A., Humanities, Classics, and Religious Studies, Montclair State University

State of New Jersey Teacher License (K–5; 6–8 Language Arts, Social Studies, and Mathematics)

LETRS Training (Units 1–4 completed; Units 5–8 in progress)

IMSE Orton-Gillingham Training

Elementary Literacy Coach, North Brunswick Township Schools

Founder, The Colorful Classroom

Podcast Host, Literacy in Color

Co-Founder, Logos Literacy Academy.

Disclosures:

Financial: Michelle Sullivan also develops instructional materials and provides professional learning related to literacy instruction, which she sells through her website and Teachers Pay Teachers store, receives compensation for professional learning presentations, and is an author of children’s books and forthcoming professional publications related to literacy instruction.

Non-Financial: None

Starting with the Sentence: Building Reading & Writing Skills

Presentation: 

Strong readers and writers are built one sentence at a time. In this session, you’ll discover how intentional, sentence-level instruction bridges the gap between decoding and deep reading comprehension. We will dive into evidence-based strategies for helping students construct, combine, and expand sentences to add sophistication and clarity to their work. Participants will walk away with planning resources, mini-lesson ideas, and activities that help students build their comprehension and composition skills. Whether you support emerging writers or older students needing foundational reinforcement, this session provides practical strategies to strengthen literacy, starting with the sentence.

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Objectives:

TBD

Bio:

Leigh Buettler has been in the educational field since 2004, beginning her career as an adjunct lecturer at SUNY Albany. A former Teach for America corps member with an M.S.Ed. from Fordham University, Leigh has served as a middle and elementary teacher, a dual-certified General and Special Educator, and an instructional coach. She currently serves as the Director of Professional Learning at the Stern Center for Language and Learning, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding the power of learning for students and adults.

Credentials:
M.S.Ed.

Disclosures:

Financial: Leigh Buettler is employed as the Director of Professional Learning at the Stern Center for Language and Learning. The Stern Center is receiving an honorarium for this session.

Non-Financial: None

Exploring the Journey Through Reading Comprehension with a Language Lens

Presentation: 

The ultimate goal of reading is to comprehend the written text. Before we can focus on reading comprehension, we need to ensure that students have strong language skills. When addressing reading comprehension, we need to address the underlying language skills required to unlock the full message. We will also discuss strategies and aspects to discuss different text types. 

Time: # minutes 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Objectives:

TBD

Bio:

Sydney Bassard, MSP, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing and literacy. She owns The Listening SLP, which is her private practice and social media brand. Sydney was noted as a Distinguished Early Career Professional in 2020 and an Innovator in 2023 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for her work centered on the equity of health information. Through her social media page, she engages with professionals and parents on the topics of hearing loss and literacy. In 2023, Sydney co-authored a children's book, A Day with Mom, with her mother. The book tells the story of a little girl who is excited to spend the day with her mom on a typical Saturday.

Sydney is actively involved with research related to both clinical areas of interest. Sydney was a co-primary investigator on a research study investigating writing outcomes for children who are Deaf and hard of hearing through a cultural and linguistic diversity lens. Her goal is for professionals and parents to listen, learn, and advocate together.

Credentials:
MSP, CCC-SLP

Disclosures:

Financial Disclosure: Sydney is the owner of The Listening SLP, PLLC. She receives compensation through her company and TPT products. Sydney received an honorarium for the presentation and conference registration.

Non-Financial Disclosure: Sydney is a member of ASHA.

Content Disclosure: Sydney use images from her book A Day with Mom and content from The Listening SLP in her presentations.