June 4th, 2021 Virtual Conference Schedule

9:00 - 9:30 A.M. (CT)

Conference Center and Expo Hall Open

9:30 - 9:55 A.M. (CT)

Coffee Talk (Morning Networking) and/or Expo Center

10:00 - 10:45 A.M. (CT)

Serving Students with Dyslexia

What Does Structured Literacy Look Like in Practice?

Dr. Susan Hall

Research informs educators about what good literacy instruction should include and why it's important. Join Dr. Hall as she discusses how to teach in alignment with the principles of Structured Literacy. In this practical session, participants will see examples of instructional routines for teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and word study that aligns with the Science of Reading research.

Learn More about this presentation

11:00 - 11:50 A.M. (CT)

Serving Students with Dyslexia

Phonemic Awareness and Orthographic Mapping: What You Need to Know!

Laura McGowan, co-presenter Joelle Nappi

Learn current best practices in phonemic awareness and orthographic mapping. Educators will learn what these skills are, the importance of these components of reading instruction, and practical strategies to improve their students' reading abilities.

Learn More about this presentation

Culture of Literacy

From failure to academic success: What you do not see?

Dr. Shawn Robinson

Hear a firsthand account of what it is like to have a late dyslexia diagnosis and what it takes to overcome it from the author of the popular Dr. Dyslexia Dude book series. You'll also get specific recommendations so you can encourage your students' mindsets of perseverance, patience, and practice, just like Dr. Dyslexia Dude himself.

Learn More about this presentation

Serving Students with Dyslexia

Leveraging Strengths for Student Growth: A How-to-Guide for Dynamic IEPs

Dr. Kara Loftin

Tackling the IEP process through a strengths-based model remains largely ignored despite many decades of research indicating its efficacy. This session will examine practical strategies and important questions to ask to shift the IEP focus from what a student cannot do, to what a student can do, ultimately providing a pathway to greater student engagement and learning.

Learn More about this presentation

Serving Students with Dyslexia

Strategies for Success: How to Study for a Test

Geraldine Pesacreta

Take the mystery out of studying so you can teach students how to process and learn information efficiently. You’ll receive proven study strategies that will have your students actively engaging with content, beginning in the classroom and continuing at home during short, frequent, and effective study sessions.

Learn More about this presentation

12:00 - 12:50 P.M. (CT)

Cognitive Neuroscience of Dyslexia

Embracing the Scientific Revolution in Reading:
And Dragging Your Colleagues Along With You

Dr. David Kilpatrick

Dr. David Kilpatrick will examine the scientific findings of reading acquisition and difficulties, including how they translate into practice, why some educators have been reluctant to adopt the findings and ways you can integrate the science in your own classroom instruction and intervention efforts.

Learn More about this presentation

1:00 - 1:25 P.M. (CT)

Snack Break and/or Expo Center (Mid-Day Networking)

1:30 - 2:20 P.M. (CT)

Serving Students with Dyslexia

The Critical Foundation for Effective Reading Instruction: Teacher Preparation

Dr. Emily Binks-Cantrell

We have decades of research explaining how students at-risk for reading difficulties and dyslexia learn best, yet, this is seldom the case. Get an overview of in-service and pre-service teachers' knowledge of concepts related to effective reading instruction, reasons for teachers’ poor preparation, and how this situation can be improved.

Learn More about this presentation

Culture of Literacy

Winning Them Over: Practical Tips for Helping Students and Families Embrace Dyslexia and Adopt a Self Empowerment Mindset

Joelle Nappi

Explore the social-emotional impact of reading difficulty, develop language to talk with families about dyslexia, and get ideas for classroom activities to help students embrace their dyslexia and promote self-advocacy.

Learn More about this presentation

Culture of Literacy

Parenting Partnership

Nicole Holcomb

Learn strategies to help build positive relationships with parents. Partnering with parents is the key to connecting learning between school and home.

Learn More about this presentation

2:30 - 3:20 P.M. (CT)

Serving Students with Dyslexia

From Mandate to Mission: Becoming a Dyslexia-Friendly District

Dr. Jodi Mahoney

Identify key aspects of your ability to support students with dyslexia and explore what it means to be dyslexia-friendly. Using a rubric designed to help assess readiness, you will ascertain where you are in this process and how you can improve.

Learn More about this presentation

Serving Students with Dyslexia

Moving Forward Not Backwards with Reversals

Cheryl Lundy Swift, M.Ed.

Learn hands-on strategies for working with children who have trouble with letter reversals. Leave with an understanding of WHY children reverse letters and practical strategies to intervene and support struggling students.

Learn More about this presentation

Serving Students with Dyslexia

Evaluating English Learners for Dyslexia: The What and the How

Dr. Brenda De La Garza, co-presenter Maria del Rosario Nava

Learn about factors to consider when evaluating English Learners for Dyslexia including potential assessment tools. A proposed framework for evaluation will be presented. Utilizing the Texas Dyslexia Handbook and research from the presenters, you will explore a framework for evaluation and be given access to practical resources to use when evaluating your own English Learners.

Learn More about this presentation

3:30 - 4:20 P.M. (CT)

Serving Students with Dyslexia

Perseverance, Passion and Purpose: Finding My Way

Andrew Lewis

Join two-time Olympian Andrew Lewis on an inspirational journey through his life with dyslexia. He will reflect on his early fears of being "swallowed up" by the disorder and how he, eventually, came to embrace it, becoming the loving face of dyslexia for his country.

Learn More about this presentation

4:30 - 5:00 P.M. (CT)

Happy Hour and Expo Hall

Wilson-Language-Training-logo

2020-alta-logo-certified