69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

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10:30am EDT

Data Data Everywhere: Understanding Reading Assessments to Plan Small-Group Instruction in the Upper Grades FILLING

Sunday March 9, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

The Essential Practices tell us that we should plan targeted small group instruction based on “children’s observed and assessed needs in specific aspects of literacy development.” Two literacy coaches will share how to efficiently gather and analyze Oral Reading Fluency data to plan effective small group instruction for students in grades 3-5.

Speakers

Jessica Crawford

District Literacy Coach, Fitzgerald Public Schools

Kristie Marks

Elementary Literacy Coach, Utica Community Schools

Sunday March 9, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation

10:30am EDT

Building Reading Identity through Reading Community in the Middle Grades LIMITED

Sunday March 9, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

River Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this session, upper elementary and middle school teachers will learn tips and tricks for creating a vibrant, engaging independent reading community in their classroom. The presenter will share classroom ready strategies and activities with links and resources embedded into the presentation.

Speakers

Jenny Sanford

Teacher, Springport Public Schools

Sunday March 9, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
River Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults

12:30pm EDT

Empowering Student Voices: Composing and Communicating in a Digital Age LIMITED

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT

Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

In today’s educational landscape, digital technologies are vital for student expression and engagement. This session will explore how students can compose and communicate using digital tools while developing essential digital literacy skills. We will discuss various platforms—like blogs, video software, and social media. that foster creativity and collaboration.

Speakers

Elaina Heard

Chief Executive Officer, Watson's Way ABA

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

Early Childhood (Birth-K) Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation, Digital Literacy, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Written Expression

1:45pm EDT

Braided Pathways: Funding Literacy Innovations LIMITED

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

River Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Unlock the secrets to successful grant writing in this engaging session! Discover five essential principles for securing funding to fuel projects aligned with the literacy essentials. "Read it in" as you uncover key insights into the grant-writing process, and "Write it out" with powerful strategies to craft winning proposals. Plus, gain access to a Padlet packed with tools to support your journey. Best of all, you’ll learn about any grants that are open and ready for submission right now! Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your ideas into funded realities—let’s make grant writing fun and rewarding!

Speakers

Carol Ann Paul

Manager of State and Federal Programs and Special Populations, Wayne RESA

Carol Ann Paul is the Manager of State and Federal Programs and Special Populations at Wayne RESA, bringing over 20 years of experience in education. With a career spanning elementary through collegiate levels, she has held key roles including Reading Specialist, Executive Director... Read More →

Dr. Leah van Belle

Senior Consultant, Learning and Impact, Detroit Parent Network

Leah serves as Senior Consultant for Learning & Impact with Detroit Parent Network and is Part-Time Faculty at Eastern Michigan University. A proud Detroiter and first-generation high school graduate, her professional and community work have focused on literacy access and equity... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
River Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Appropriate for All Levels

Strand(s) Advocacy, Assessment and Evaluation, Literacy Coaching and Leadership

1:45pm EDT

Write It Out: Telling Your Coaching Story with Data and Digital Tools LIMITED

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Grand Gallery E (DeVos Place)

Data stories can be challenging, especially for literacy coaches. Deciding on data points to highlight as well as how to communicate that data to stakeholders can be daunting. This hands-on session will show literacy coaches an array of digital tools to help analyze and effectively present audience-friendly data stories for a variety of purposes. Participants are encouraged to bring a device.

Speakers

Heather Rottermond

Assessment & Instruction Consultant, Wayne RESA

Laura Gabrion

Literacy Consultant, Wayne RESA

Laura Gabrion is an English Language Arts Consultant for Wayne RESA. In 2017, Laura defended her dissertation in Reading Education with an emphasis on improving student writing. Her current projects and interests involve disciplinary literacy, literacy coaching, family/community engagement... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Grand Gallery E (DeVos Place)

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation, Digital Literacy, Literacy Coaching and Leadership

1:45pm EDT

Helping Students Connect to Text-Based Assessments and Facilitating Creative Essay Writing LIMITED

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this session, teachers will learn ways to help middle and high school students connect to informational texts. Teachers will then learn how to use those student connections to inspire students to write creative text-based assessment essays.

Speakers

Liz Ropp

Literacy Coach, KEYS Grace Academy

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation, Writing in the Content Areas, Written Expression