Literacy

Brian Wise is an English Department chair at Deerfield High School in the suburbs of Chicago. Previously, he spent 16 years as a teacher and literacy coach at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

What if we could unlock the potential for every child to become a strong, confident reader? Decades of research show us how—yet many classrooms still rely on outdated practices that leave too many students behind. In this powerful session, George Georgiou and Greg Kushnir, authors of Better Together: Blending the Science of Reading and Professional Learning Communities at Work®, will unpack the science of reading—what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform instruction. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how students actually learn to read and practical steps schools can take to bring this research to life. Together, we can turn the promise of literacy for all into a reality.

This intensive 2-day workshop (12 hours total) will guide school leaders, instructional coaches, and educators through the essential components of implementing a research-aligned, system-level Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to drive substantial reading improvement in their elementary and middle schools. Grounded in the science of reading and system-level change, participants will learn how to make data-driven decisions and build collaborative teams that sustain improvement over time.

Attendees will learn practical ways to involve multiple stakeholders in developing a productive and celebratory reading culture in schools and classrooms.

Sam Futrell is a middle school social studies teacher at St. Michael’s Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, she advocates for diversity, equity, and professional development in education.

This session explores the Big 5 components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Educators will gain practical, evidence-based strategies, examine how neuroscience informs instruction, and learn how to apply these practices within a response to intervention (RTI) framework to support all learners.

Daniel M. Argentar is a literacy coach and communication arts teacher at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. He works with instructors from all divisions to increase disciplinary literacy for students.

Renee Tristan is an English language arts content specialist for Tomball Independent School District in Northwest Houston, TX. As an instructional leader and literacy coach, her work focuses on the implementation of standards-aligned teaching and higher levels of literacy for all students.

Dr. Melisha Y. Plummer is assistant principal at an urban high school in the Atlanta Public School District. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Plummer brings a wealth of knowledge about practical ways schools can infuse and ensure that literacy is embedded in the fabric of urban education.

Lisa Cebelak is a national leader in education who is passionate about literacy as the heart of student learning. Lisa specializes in the areas of literacy, instructional coaching, and curriculum design.