AGENDA
Here’s a preview of the developing agenda. Check back often for updates!
7:30 am - 11:30 am
Registration
8:15 am - 8:30 am
Announcements
General Session
Kristin Conradi Smith & Tamara Williams
8:30 am - 9:30 am
Break
9:30 am - 9:45 am
The Wonderful World of Words
Comprehension starts at the word level. Looking at the 2024 VA SOLs, an emphasis is placed on understanding the morphology and etymology of words to determine meaning. Since English is a morphophonemic language, we must have an understanding of how words work and why they are spelled the way they are. This session will focus on breaking words down and walking participants through how to make words more accessible for students in grades K-12.
Johanna Bender
Motivation + Engagement = Reading Success: Supporting Struggling Readers with Evidence-Based Instruction
With the work of the book Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers and the implementation of scoped and sequenced materials using best practices, teachers can meet the unique challenges that come with supporting middle school struggling readers.
Ragan Collins
Strengthening Literacy Across Content Areas Through Vocabulary Instruction
Participants will explore the critical role vocabulary plays in unlocking comprehension of complex material across all subject areas. The session will guide educators through a structured process for selecting impactful vocabulary, designing routines, and integrating vocabulary seamlessly into daily teaching practices.
Rebecca Scott
Understanding Research on the Role of Imagery in Comprehension, and How to Develop Concept Imagery
This presentation will provide a summary of the historical and current research on the role of imagery in language comprehension and critical thinking. Educators will examine how weaknesses in Concept Imagery impact learners in the classroom and globally, and review data to make determinations of instructional needs and impacts. They will also discover and utilize pedagogical practices to develop Concept Imagery that are applicable in classrooms and small group settings. Educators will leave with knowledge of how these process-based instructional practices can be applied to Virginia standards.
Dave Kiyvyra
Breakout Sessions
9:45 am - 10:45 am
Break
10:45 am - 11:00 am
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Reading Motivation in Action: Practical Tools for Inclusive Classrooms (Upper Elem-HS)
This session will share current research findings on the role of motivation and engagement in reading achievement, with emphasis on upper elementary and middle school students. In today's tech-saturated classrooms, motivating students to engage deeply with reading, especially in content areas like science, history, and math, can be a significant challenge. Studies show motivation and engagement as significant predictors of reading achievement (Guthrie et al., 2022; Toste et al., 2020; Wang & Guthrie, 2023).
This session will explore evidence-based strategies to help upper elementary, middle and high school educators foster meaningful reading experiences that build comprehension, curiosity, and content knowledge without relying on digital tools.
Susan Thacker-Gwaltney & Ottilie Austin
Intentional Classroom Libraries: Sparking Wonder, Curiosity, and Joyful Discovery
This session draws on a broad base of educational research, including findings from the Science of Reading, demonstrating how classroom libraries and other non-instructional literacy supports strengthen reading development and student engagement. Research shows that while systematic skills instruction is essential, students also need abundant opportunities to practice with a variety of texts. Intentional classroom libraries provide this critical bridge, helping students apply decoding skills, build fluency, and develop comprehension in authentic reading experiences.
Richard Hasenyager
Teaching Multilingual Learners: Evidence-Based Literacy Strategies and Collaborative Practices
This session will present findings from randomized controlled trials of BELLA, a K-2 professional learning program for teachers of multilingual learners. Content includes program design, three core components: evidence-based literacy strategies, asset-based instruction, and ESL's classroom teacher collaboration and illustrative classroom videos, parent interviews, and student interviews that demonstrate changes in teacher practice and multilingual learner outcomes.
Jennifer Mann & Leslie M. Babinski
From Theory to Practice: Leveraging Implementation Science to Strengthen Reading Outcomes
This session will introduce key principles of Implementation Science and demonstrate how they apply to literacy efforts. Participants will examine frameworks such as the Active Implementation Frameworks and learn how to use tools like fidelity checklists, progress monitoring systems, and feedback loops to support sustainable reading improvement. Case examples from school settings will illustrate how these strategies enhance instructional consistency and student outcomes.
Ann Marie Seely & Jennifer Perry
Breakout Sessions