Our Journey with Dyslexia: Finding Out, Finding Help, and Finding Hope with Erika Ferrari Lopez

Presentation: 

A parent’s perspectives on the emotional journey of a dyslexia diagnosis, the discovery process of finding support, community, and resources, all while trying to tend to the socio-emotional well-being of your child. Erika shares how she and her daughter found a special way to turn a diagnosis into a story of hope and connection.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Bio:

Erika is the author of the book, The Adventures of Amazing Grace, which she co-created with her dyslexic daughter. Erika was raised in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. by her mother, an immigrant from Guatemala and was inspired by those trips to begin writing her memoir five years ago. She attended the University of Virginia and majored in Economics and Psychology and began her career in Finance in Washington, D.C. at U.S. Trust Company. She spent the next decade in the non-profit sector with Global Impact and Charlotte Bilingual Preschool.

Disclosures:

Financial: Erika receives compensation from author visits, speaking engagements, and workshops. Non-financial: Erika does not have any non-financial disclosures to disclose.

Mathematics for All: Supporting Different Learning Profiles with Adrianne Meldrum

Presentation: 

Students with different learning profiles from dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and more have unique needs when it comes to mathematics. In this presentation, we'll explore at a high level what each type needs along with ideas to support these students to be successful in mathematics. 

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Explain how dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and autism require different things for mathematics instruction
• Describe up to 5 strategies for supporting a student with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and autism in mathematics

Bio:

Adrianne Meldrum is the founder and owner of Made for Math (MFM), an all-online math center focused on serving students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and math learning disabilities. She is a certified Multisensory Math Instructor through Marilyn Zecher. She has a Master’s Degree from Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity. Adrianne is married with three boys and lives in Mesa, AZ where she enjoys soaking up gorgeous sunsets!

Disclosures:

Financial: Adrianne Meldrum owns a private math therapy practice, Made for Math, receiving compensation as a consultant. Adrianne also develops materials and books for math interventions. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic. Non-Financial: The presenter does not have any non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Unlocking Potential: Nurturing Self-Esteem in Children with Dyslexia with April Coggins

Presentation: 

This presentation is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and address the emotional impact of dyslexia on a child's self-esteem. Through a combination of theoretical research and practical strategies, participants will explore the factors that positively and negatively influence children with dyslexia, discover effective ways to increase a child’s resilience and motivation for learning and understand the biggest factors that help them become happy, successful adults.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Describe the impact dyslexia has on a child’s self-esteem
• Explain the biggest factors that protect the self-esteem of a child with dyslexia
• List the techniques used to help children develop a growth mindset
• Describe how to increase a child’s resilience and motivation for learning

Bio:

April Coggins is the founder and owner of Bright Minds Tutoring, a tutoring center in Wilmington, NC that specializes in helping children with dyslexia. She is also the parent of a child with dyslexia and the author of 2 self-esteem journals for children with dyslexia. April has a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a specialization in Learning Disabilities and a B.A. in English.

Disclosures:

Financial: April Coggins owns a private tutoring and assessment practice, Bright Minds Tutoring, receiving compensation as a tutor and educational consultant. April also receives royalties from her two self-esteem books, “Dex Discovers His Superpower” and “I am Awesome!” She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic. Non-Financial: April is a member of the International Dyslexia Association.

Teaching Students with ADHD and Reading Difficulties with Carolyn Denton

Presentation: 

Students who have both ADHD and reading difficulties or disabilities (including dyslexia) are uniquely at risk for a variety of negative educational and life consequences. Dr. Denton led a large scientific study of interventions for children who have both ADHD and reading difficulties. In this presentation Dr. Denton will describe our current scientific understanding of ADHD, as well as the unique characteristics of students who have both ADHD and reading disabilities. She will discuss intervention for these students and describe components of the reading intervention provided in her study. She will conclude with practical advice to educators on adapting instruction to support the reading success of students with ADHD and reading difficulties. 

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Describe the most recent evidence-based understanding regarding the nature of ADHD.
• Describe the common characteristics of students with ADHD and reading difficulties.
• Discuss the roles of behavioral interventions and medications in interventions for students with ADHD.
• Implement a simple explicit instruction lesson for students with ADHD and reading difficulties. 
• Implement three instructional adaptations for students with ADHD and reading difficulties. 

Bio:

Dr. Carolyn Denton is an educational consultant and reading scientist specializing in reading interventions for students with reading difficulties and disabilities, including dyslexia, and students with ADHD. For over 20 years, Dr. Denton collaborated on scientific research in which she developed and evaluated reading interventions for these students. Before completing her Ph.D., Dr. Denton was a classroom teacher and reading interventionist, and she specializes in communicating with educators to help them understand and implement the science of reading in classrooms. Dr. Denton was a member of the expert panel assembled by the US Department of Education to develop the What Works Clearinghouse practice guide Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. She is also the author or co-author of four books and numerous book chapters and journal articles on reading intervention, multi-tiered systems of support, ADHD, and related topics. Dr. Denton has presented numerous keynotes, sessions, and workshops for educators, clinicians, and researchers across the US and in Europe and Asia. Prior to her retirement, Dr. Denton was a professor in the Children’s Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She now lives in Port Townsend, Washington.

Disclosures:

Financial: Carolyn receives compensation for consulting and professional development through her independent consulting company. She also receives royalties for her co-authored book Effective Instruction for Middle School Students with Reading Difficulties: The Reading Teacher’s Sourcebook. She is receiving an honorarium for this presentation. Non-Financial: Carolyn is the co-author of three books that are currently out of print, for which she does not receive royalty payments, and she is the author of an unpublished instructional program, Reading RULES, which is owned by the University of Texas. She does not receive compensation for this program. Carolyn is a member of the International Dyslexia Association and the Washington branch of the Reading League.

Setting Students Up for Success: A Toolkit for Families and Educators to Support Children with Emotional Regulation Challenges at Home and in the Classroom with Cathleen Killeen-Pittman

Presentation: 

This presentation is designed to equip participants with a behavior support toolkit to empower children with emotional regulation challenges at home or in the classroom. Participants will explore causes of dysregulated behavior and examine practical, easy-to-implement strategies designed to set students up for success in a supportive, neurodiverse-affirming learning environment.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Utilize visual supports and schedules 
• Implement the use of timers  and breaks in the daily schedule
• Incorporate student choice into daily activities
• Incorporate transitions into new activities
• Identify different forms of communication

Bio:

Dr. Cathleen Killeen-Pittman, founder of Our Learning Studio, is an academic support specialist and literacy coach working with parents, educators, and students within her private practice. Cathleen's career as an educator began almost 30 years ago, and she has been a teacher or administrator in public school, community college, and university settings. She spent over 15 years as a beginning teacher evaluator where she had the privilege to conduct over 2,000 classroom observations and mentor teachers during the first three years of their careers. She has also been a business owner and entrepreneur since 2004 when she founded her first tutoring center. Cathleen is committed to helping students blossom as readers and writers in a supportive, neurodiverse-affirming learning environment, and she is dedicated to working with parents and educators as they support children in their homes and classrooms.

Disclosures:

Financial: Cathleen Killeen-Pittman receives compensation for consulting, testing, reading intervention, and academic support services provided through her company, Our Learning Studio. She also receives compensation from her online courses and workshops. She is receiving an honorarium for presenting her topic. Non-financial: Cathleen Killeen-Pittman does not have any non-financial disclosures to disclose.

Building Fluent Readers: Strategies for High School Students with Deb Morris

Presentation: 

This workshop focuses on the key elements necessary to help high school students develop the efficient reading skills that are critical to their success in secondary school and beyond. Emphasis will be placed on using a multisensory, structured-language approach to teaching reading, spelling, writing, and fluency, while simultaneously building vocabulary and developing comprehension strategies when using decodable and non-decodable text.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• categorize words by syllable type 
• identify syllable division patterns in multisyllabic words
• evaluate the decodability of a text based on syllable types and division patterns taught
• design decodable text that develops fluency while simultaneously expanding vocabulary and comprehension skill

Bio:

Deb Morris, founder of Orton-Gillingham Nation, offers online training at the Classroom Educator, Associate, Certified, and Fellow levels. She is an Accredited Training Fellow of The Orton-Gillingham Academy and serves on its Standards Committee. She holds a Master’s degree in Literacy Education and is a licensed Secondary English teacher and Reading Specialist.

Disclosures:

Financial: Deb Morris is the owner of Orton-Gillingham Nation and receives compensation for online training and consulting, in addition to sales from digital materials.

Rinse and Repeat; Building Writing Confidence and Stamina via the Think, Plan, Write and Revise Process with Hope Rigby-Wills

Presentation: 

Writing can be hard! In this session we will discuss the importance of cultivating and fostering a positive writing community and ways to support students as they engage and re-engage in the writing process. After participating in this session, you will take away instructional strategies and resources you can use tomorrow! 

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Generate a draft of a writing beliefs anchor chart for use in their classroom  
• Select tools for students to use to facilitate the TPWR Process
• Create exemplars for use in teaching the TPWR Process
• Describe why using an explicit and systematic instructional approach builds writing confidence and stamina

Bio:

Dr. Hope is a native Texan and currently calls Houston home. She began teaching first grade in 1994 and made the switch to special education the following year. She has worked with students from kindergarten to twelfth grade, and her area of interest is adolescent literacy. Throughout her career, Hope has been a teacher, department chair, district-level administrator in New York City and Texas, and a state-level dyslexia specialist for KIPP Texas Public Schools. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate-level education courses at the University of Houston. Hope considers herself a lifelong learner. She has completed three Orton-Gillingham trainings, earned her Master of Education from Texas Tech University in 2001, obtained her Educational Administration Certification from The College of St. Rose in 2007, completed coursework for certification as an Educational Diagnostician at the University of Houston in 2020, and most recently, received her Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership from the University of Houston in May 2023. When she’s not studying, Hope enjoys working out, reading mysteries, sewing, and playing with her four dogs.

Disclosures:

Financial: Hope is a trainer for Keys to Literacy and received a stipend for this presentation. Nonfinancial: Hope is a certified special education teacher, educational diagnostician, and faculty at the University of Houston

Is it Wat, Wate, or Wait?: Making the Correct Vowel Spelling Stick with Janique Parrott-Gaffney

Presentation: 

Children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties often struggle to spell words with long vowel spellings, such as wait, night, and coach. This presentation will explore why children often misspell these words; provide a framework to help educators select words for spelling practice; and model instructional strategies and activities to help children spell accurately and expand their knowledge of words.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• List and explain the cognitive factors that affect spelling proficiency. 
• Select words for spelling practice using knowledge of word and long vowel spelling frequencies 
• Design targeted spelling practice activities.  

Bio:

Janique Parrott-Gaffney, the founder of Literacy Without Limits, LLC, is a certified structured literacy dyslexia specialist and coach. She provides structured literacy intervention to students in K-5th grade with dyslexia and other reading difficulties and consulting services to private and public schools in the Washington, DC area. She prides herself on providing efficient and effective instruction, staying abreast of current reading research, and supporting teachers in Title 1 schools to improve literacy outcomes.

Disclosures:

Financial: Janique Parrott-Gaffney is the founder of Literacy Without Limits, LLC where she receives compensation for providing structured literacy intervention to students and consulting services. In addition, she is a literacy coach for the Institute for Innovation in Education at American University. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic. Non-Financial: Janique serves as the Vice President of the DC Capital Area Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

Supporting Students' Comprehension through Writing Instruction with Jennifer Mauser

Presentation: 

Reading comprehension is a product of two processes: decoding and language comprehension. Thanks to the Science of Reading movement, the understanding of how to teach students to decode is becoming more widespread. However, that is just half of the equation. If a student doesn't comprehend the language even though he can decode it, he does have reading comprehension. In this presentation Jennifer Mauser will share ways you can help your students build their language comprehension skills through writing. This presentation will help teachers and tutors address both sides of the Simple View of Reading equation.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

TBD

Bio:

Jennifer has worked in the literacy field for two decades. She owns The Accomplished Student, a private tutoring practice where she works with students impacted by a variety of learning differences, primarily dyslexia and ADHD. In addition she teaches English composition and literature at the high school level. Jennifer also works for the Institute for Excellence in Writing as a Schools Educational Consultant and blog writer.

Disclosures:

Financial: Jennifer owns The Accomplished Student, a private tutoring practice. She also works for the Institute for Excellence in Writing as a private contractor. She received an honorarium for this presentation. Nonfinancial: Jennifer does not have any nonfinancial conflicts to disclose.

Building Student’s Executive Functioning Skills with Assistive Technology! With Katie Larew

Presentation: 

How is your student's Google Drive organized?  What does their planner look like? Did you know Assistive Technology can help to support your students and their executive functioning skills?  In this session,  we will focus on what is "Assistive Technology" and how it can help students with digital organization, planning, creating routines, and staying focused!  

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Define Assistive Technology
• Identify examples of low-tech to high-tech forms of Assistive Technology
• List examples of technology tools to support student’s executive functioning skills
• Describe how Assistive Technology can help to support student’s access to curriculum
• List possible roadblocks and challenges with implementing Assistive Technology in school and at home

Bio:

Katie Larew is the founder of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia, LLC and is passionate about spreading greater awareness of Assistive Technology to empower students with dyslexia! She is a wife & mom of two. Katie began her journey in the field of education in 2007 as a classroom Special Education Teacher in New Jersey. In 2014, she moved to San Diego, California and worked as an Assistive Technology Specialist for a K-12 School District for eight years. As a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional, Katie has worked with students from elementary school to college. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education as well as additional certifications as an IMSLEC certified Orton-Gillingham Teacher and CERI Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist. Katie also serves on the Board for The International Dyslexia Association, San Diego Branch. Katie’s approach focuses on the students unique strengths while finding tools to support specific areas of need. She believes in the importance of creating a positive, collaborative approach between home and school. Katie provides customized step-by-step virtual training, professional development and workshops for students, parents, and teachers throughout the world. Training topics focus on creating systems to effectively implement Assistive Technology in a way that works best for the student!

Disclosures:

Financial: Katie Larew is the founder of Assistive Technology for Dyslexia, LLC and provides trainings, resources, workshops, and professional development focused on Assistive Technology tools and accommodations to support student’s access to curriculum. She receives compensation for these services. Katie is receiving an honorarium to present her topic. Non-Financial: Katie is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional, IMSLEC Certified Orton-Gillingham Teacher, and CERI Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (nonprofit organization).

Multisensory Spelling with One-syllable, Multisyllabic, and Multiple Morpheme Words with Katie Takayanagi

Presentation: 

This workshop highlights the importance of spelling practice and details procedures for spelling one-syllable, multisyllabic, and multiple morpheme words in a structured, multisensory manner. Variations for learners at all levels of literacy development as well as students who struggle with motor skills, attention, and buy-in will be featured.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Identify words as one-syllable, multisyllabic, or multiple morpheme
• Teach students to use effective, multisensory procedures when spelling each type of word
• Identify students that may benefit from utilizing a modified procedure
• Instruct students to utilize manipulatives and templates for spelling success

Bio:

Katie Takayanagi is an Accredited Training Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy and is founder of Alphabet City Tutors, an Orton-Gillingham teacher training and tutoring practice based in Brooklyn, NY. She has over 20 years of experience as an educator and 13 years as an OG practitioner. She holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University in French Studies and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England with training in progressive science education for middle school students. In addition to her work as a teacher-trainer and tutor, Katie leads a team of tutors at Alphabet City Tutors.

Disclosures:

Financial: Katie Takayanagi is the owner of Alphabet City Tutors. She provides teacher trainings and workshops as well as providing tutoring and overseeing a team of Orton-Gillingham tutors. She is receiving an honorarium to present on her topic. Non-financial: The presenter does not have any non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Supporting MLLs, striving readers, and their families with Latoya Watts

Presentation: 

Have you noticed an increased number of MLL students in your classroom? Are you overwhelmed by how you can best support them in and out of the classroom? Well, this session will give you insights into ways you can tailor your instruction for MLLs, striving readers, and their families, while simultaneously increasing knowledge for all readers

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Implement a strong O-G lesson that supports vocabulary acquisition for MLLs and striving readers
• Create a vocabulary document that can be shared with families 
• Model for families ways to support MLLs and striving readers at home

Bio:

Latoya was a secondary educator for 13 years before she became the founder and Executive Director of WattsNatural Tutoring in 2020, a non-profit organization with the mission to provide affordable and quality access to literacy development with a focus on striving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), who are often at an educational disadvantage. She works with individuals and families who have school aged students with both undiagnosed and diagnosed learning differences, who are significantly behind in reading, as well as adults who have been stigmatized due to illiteracy. Latoya is also the author of the book Doing WattsNatural: Life in Words.

Disclosures:

Financial: Latoya Watts is the founder and Executive director of WattsNatural tutoring for which she receives a salary. She is receiving an honorarium to present on her topic. Non-financial: The presenter does not have any non-financial conflicts to disclose.

Reading Comprehension: What, Why, and How with Decodable Text with Leigh Buettler

Presentation: 

The Science of Reading does include comprehension! Explore what reading comprehension is, why it matters, and how to incorporate instructional practices based in the Science of Reading to support comprehension, especially when using decodable texts.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Describe the complex nature of comprehension
• Explain the critical processes and knowledge necessary for students to be able to make meaning both during and after reading a text
• Plan lessons to explicitly teach students how to develop skills and strategies for deeper understanding
• Intentionally incorporate evidence-based instructional methods for building language and reading comprehension in planning and teaching
• Articulate the importance of oral language and its role in reading comprehension
• Explain how to use a lesson-planning framework for their own instructional purposes
• Explain how to use a decodable text to practice decoding and language comprehension skills

Bio:

Leigh Buettler has been in the educational field for over fifteen years, beginning work as an adjunct lecturer at SUNY at Albany in the Women’s Studies department, where she also earned a B.A. and M.A. in the same field. In 2009, Leigh was accepted into the Teach for America NYC Corps, where Leigh taught middle school in Queens, New York and earned a Master of Science in Education at Fordham University. More recently, Leigh taught elementary school at Cortland Enlarged City School District, where she also served as an Instructional Coach focusing on Literacy Instruction. Leigh is also a National LETRS Professional Learning Facilitator, an independent contractor for the Cortland County Teacher Center, and a certified General Educator and Special Educator in grades 1-6. She is currently the Director of Professional Learning at the Stern Center for Language and Learning.

Disclosures:

Financial: Leigh Buettler is the Director of Professional Learning at the Stern Center for Language and Learning and receives compensation for her role. She is receiving an honorarium to present her topic.

Non-financial: Leigh Buettler is a former National LETRS facilitator.

Using Student Learning Profiles to Drive Instruction with Lisa Parnello

Presentation: 

In this session, we will analyze the reports of real children to discuss the ways to adjust instruction based on the specific needs of learning differences. This session will address the ways comorbid learning differences can affect students and their progress. Session participants will learn how to analyze data to inform their instructional planning.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Identify which key information in a student’s formal psychoeducational evaluation may impact the student’s learning goals
• Adjust instructional practices based on the specific needs of the student, utilizing information from educational reports
• Identify the challenges that may arise when instructing a student with comorbid learning differences and be able to design instruction to meet the complex needs of a student
• Construct a series of lessons that account for the learning profile of a student with specific learning challenges

Bio:

Lisa Parnello is a dyslexia expert with over 18 years of experience including public and private schools, focusing on students with learning differences such as dyslexia, and dysgraphia. She provides 1-on-1 dyslexia therapy and supports parents and educators through online courses and the Dyslexia Devoted podcast. She earned her M.Ed. in special education and has since dedicated her life to helping the most struggling learners. She is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Therapist and a Wilson Credentialed Trainer. Lisa served as the Lower School Director of a school for learning differences in Palo Alto, CA before expanding Parnello Education Services. Lisa also trains and guides educators as they develop into successful special education instructors through mentoring and instructional coaching.

Disclosures:

Financial: Lisa Parnello is the owner of Parnello Education Services and receives proceeds from sales of online courses sold through her website. Non-financial: Lisa Parnello is a Wilson Credentialed Trainer, but is not currently providing these services.

Climbing the Ladder of Reading and Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners with Nancy Young with Nancy Young

Presentation: 

The Ladder of Reading & Writing© (2023) is an infographic being used across North America and beyond, helping countless educators, supporting professionals, parents, and community members build their understanding of the wide range of literacy learning needs and instructional implications. In this presentation, as she describes the features and terminology on the most recent update of her infographic (2023), Dr. Nancy Young will connect these to the evolving “science of reading”. While doing so she will address topics currently receiving a great deal of attention (some hotly debated!) as well as important topics that are receiving minimal attention. Throughout the presentation, as she delivers the message of differentiation central to her infographic, Dr. Young will share examples of effective needs-based programming from her released book (co-edited with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck) and from her own journey teaching children with a wide range of learning needs.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Connect the wide range of ease in skill acquisition and general instructional needs to individual students based on where students are on the Ladder of Reading & Writing continuum  
• Identify appropriate tools used to obtain data across the Ladder of Reading & Writing continuum  
• Recognize the imperative of differentiated small-group instruction to ensure no students are delayed (whether challenged or advanced in skill mastery) 
• Compare the terms “explicit teaching” and “implicit learning” and connect these to systematically designed instruction
• Describe how the instructional needs of students the exceptionalities of dyslexia, ADHD, and intellectual giftedness align to Ladder of Reading & Writing continuum  

Bio:

Nancy Young Ed.D. is a Canadian educational consultant providing professional development in reading and writing instruction for an international audience. Dr. Young’s literacy focus is effective differentiation of instruction to meet the needs of the wide range of learners, from the provision of programming that effectively meets the needs of beginning readers to appropriate programming differentiated for students who are advanced in reading (AIR). Her expertise encompasses the educational needs of students who are intellectually gifted, including those who are advanced readers and those who have a co-occurring exceptionality (dyslexia and/or ADHD). Nancy is the creator of the Ladder of Reading & Writing© (2023) infographic and the co-editor (with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck) of the recently released book Climbing THE LADDER OF READING & WRITING: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners (2024). Nancy’s website is www.nancyyoung.ca

Disclosures:

Financial: Nancy receives compensation for consulting and professional development through her independent consulting company Nancy Young Educational Consulting. Nancy receives a royalty from sales of her co-edited book “Climbing THE LADDER OF READING & WRITING: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners”. She previously authored the book “Secret Code Actions”; although this book is currently being revised, at times interested parties still purchase the 2016/17 version and Nancy receives payment accordingly. Nancy is receiving an honorarium to present her topic. Non-Financial: Nancy is a certified teacher and a member of the International Dyslexia Association, Scientific Studies of Reading, the National Association for Gifted Children, the World Council for Gifted & Talented Children, and the Gifted Children’s Association of British Columbia. She has taken courses in, and received certification for, numerous literacy specialist trainings over the last two decades (including being trained in Rave-O as well as a trainer-of-teachers for RAVE-O).

Navigating the Path of Alphabet Learning Through Speech Sound Integration with Sydney Bassard

Presentation: 

This presentation illuminates the dynamic interplay between phonetics, phonology, and alphabet acquisition, highlighting key milestones and challenges along the way. Participants will explore evidence-based practices for integrating speech sound instruction into alphabet learning curricula, fostering holistic language development and paving the way for proficient reading and writing skills.

Time: TBD 

Prerequisites: None 

Learning Outcomes:

After the successful completion of this learning event, participants will be able to:

• Model correct speech sound production for students in their classroom
• Evaluate materials used when modeling speech sounds and letter association
• Explain to educators up-to-date best practices on teaching literacy 

Bio:

Sydney Bassard, 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 an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Innovator in 2023 for her work centered on equity of health information. Through her social media page, she engages with professionals and parents on the topics of hearing loss and literacy. Sydney is actively involved with research related to both clinical areas of interest.

Disclosures:

Financial: Sydney owns The Listening SLP. She received an honorarium for this presentation.

Non-financial: Sydney is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Owner of @thelisteningslp social media accounts