69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

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10:30am EDT

Decolonizing the Bookshelf: STEM Books That Celebrate Black and Brown Brilliance LIMITED

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

We'll dig into engaging, gorgeous STEM picture books and informational books that center Black and Brown experiences. We'll explore how these books can support elementary-age learners in growing STEM identities and aspirations, as well as content area learning and literacy skills. Participants will share resources for decolonizing the bookshelf and teaching for literacy and STEM equity.

Speakers

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 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

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

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Disciplinary Literacy, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults

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

Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

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

Leading Change that Increases Literacy Achievement FULL

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

Gallery Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this session literacy leaders will discover effective reading and writing strategies to boost literacy achievement for all students. The presenter will draw on her experience as a district leader, where literacy scores rose by 20% in four years including one year of virtual instruction. Participants will learn how they can drive improvements that enhance student outcomes in reading and writing.

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

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Foundational Reading Skills, Foundational Writing Skills, Literacy Coaching and Leadership

10:30am EDT

Professional Book Clubs for Teachers Writers LIMITED

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

Grand Gallery E (DeVos Place)

Participants will learn how the Chippewa River Writing Project book club was founded and what core values could guide adult professional book clubs; this includes supporting and encouraging each other to consider best practices and implement new strategies into our diverse classrooms. We will also brainstorm strategies and provide resources for building your own beloved learning communities.

Speakers

Becky Schwartz

High School Teacher, Springport Public Schools

Becky Schwartz is an English/Social Studies teacher at Springport High School in Jackson county Michigan. In her over 10 years of teaching, she has taught 7th - 12 grade in English, social studies, and computer science. She has been a teacher consultant with the Chippewa River Writing... Read More →

Megan Kowalski

Special Education Teacher, Chicago Public Schools

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

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Literacy Coaching and Leadership, Literacy Educator Preparation

10:30am EDT

Empathy & Digital Literacy: A Sample Unit Plan for Adolescent Developing Readers LIMITED

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

River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this session, middle school and high school teachers will be guided through a unit plan that engages developing adolescent readers in viewing and analyzing digital texts, and understanding and synthesizing multiple perspectives through writing. Participants will leave with a ready-to-implement unit plan, and will be equipped to apply these strategies to their own teaching contexts.

Speakers

Julee Boland

Reading Specialist and Director of Professional Development and School Improvement, Washtenaw Technical Middle College

Hello! I’m a high school reading specialist and the Director of Professional Development and School Improvement for Washtenaw Technical Middle College in Ann Arbor. I have more than 20 years of teaching experience working with adolescent readers. At WTMC, I've conducted action research... Read More →

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

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

Strand(s) Digital Literacy, Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness

10:30am EDT

Empowering Literacy with Scaffolded Writing and AI Tools Across Disciplines FULL

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

Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Join us for an engaging and transformative session that delves into the profound impact of scaffolded writing and AI tools on literacy across all content areas. This session is designed to equip educators with practical strategies to enhance literacy instruction, support all learners, and integrate innovative AI tools into their teaching practices.

Speakers

Jenelle Williams

Literacy Consultant, Oakland Schools

Jenelle Williams joined the Leadership and School Improvement unit at Oakland Schools in 2017 following 18 years of experience in public schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She has served as a classroom teacher, IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator, teacher... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

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

Strand(s) Digital Literacy, Disciplinary Literacy, Writing in the Content Areas

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

12:30pm EDT

Enhancing English Literacy through Content-Based Instruction and L1 Support: Strategies for Engaging Multilingual Learners LIMITED

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

Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

In a world of increasing linguistic diversity, effectively nurturing English literacy among multilingual learners, is crucial. This session will focus on two powerful strategies: employing content-based instruction (CBI) to engage students and leveraging first language (L1) literacy skills and background knowledge to support English literacy development.

Speakers

Austyn Sabin

Newcomer ESL Teacher, Kalamazoo Public Schools

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

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Multilingual and Multidialectal Literacy

12:30pm EDT

Enhancing Student Outcomes Through Student-Centered Coaching FILLING

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

Grand Gallery C (DeVos Place)

This session explores student-centered coaching as a strategy for improving student outcomes. Key principles include setting measurable goals, using data to guide instruction, and fostering reflective, collaborative dialogue. Through ongoing data analysis, coaches and teachers monitor progress and adjust instruction to support evolving needs, focusing on continuous growth and student success.

Speakers

Jill Erfourth

Elementary Literacy Consultant/Coach, Utica Community Schools

Kristie Marks

Elementary Literacy Coach, Utica Community Schools

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

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Literacy Coaching and Leadership

12:30pm EDT

Teacher Book Studies: Fostering Collaborative Professional Learning LIMITED

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

Grand Gallery E (DeVos Place)

Discover the power of teacher book studies as collaborative professional learning. This session explores the importance of educators learning together through organized book studies, drawing from years of experience, including pandemic adaptations. Learn to set up effective book studies, nurture teacher literacy, and translate insights into classroom practice.

Speakers

Kate Rossetter

Engagement and Literacy Educational Consultant, EduKateR- LLC

Melissa Brooks-Yip

Education Consultant, Doctoral Candidate, Teacher Education for Action, TEA LLC

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

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Literacy Coaching and Leadership, Literacy Educator Preparation

12:30pm EDT

Unbound: Books Not Boundaries LIMITED

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

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Our session is for teachers, school administrators, school librarians, and public librarians. This presentation will detail a plan for how to establish a program where school students access their community library catalog in class, order books online, and the public library processes the requests and delivers the books to the schools.

Speakers

Patti Skinner

Director of Library Services, West Shore Community College

Ingrid Fournier

Branch Manager - Scottville, Mason County District Library

After a 30 year career as public school teacher (grades 3-8), I stepped into the role of Branch Manager at the Scottville Library which is part of the Mason County District Library (Ludington and Scottville). Collaborating with our local schools, Westshore Community College, the Scottville... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)

12:30pm EDT

Silent Sustained Reading in High School: Fostering a Love of Reading in the Classroom and Building a Culture of Literacy within the School LIMITED

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

Gallery Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this inspiring session, teachers will learn how we are creating a culture of literacy within our department and school by utilizing a strategic system of SSR, which embraces goal setting, metacognitive thinking, sharing progress, celebrating personal reading, and collective growth. As classroom teachers in the field, our resources will be embedded in the presentation for you to copy and adapt for your context. Just add books!

Speakers

Mrs. Becky Gerhart

High School English Teacher, Mason County Central

Teaching English full-time since 2008. Mother of 7-year-old boy/girl twins. I fly kites on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Katarina Moore

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Gallery Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

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

Strand(s) Advocacy, Foundational Reading Skills, Literacy Educator Preparation

1:45pm EDT

25 Culturally Relevant Read-Alouds that Motivate Students into Independent Reading and Writing FILLING

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

River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

This session will highlight the most recent culturally relevant children's and adolescent literature. Participants will be engaged in interactive read-aloud, how to do them and featuring books that prepare students to write and become activists for change in their community. This will be an interactive session with audience participation and resources to bring back to the classroom and use.

Speakers

Margaret Policastro

Department Chair, Professor and Director of Language and Literacy, Roosevelt University

Dr. Policastro is a professor of language and literacy at Roosevelt University where she is the director of the Literacy leadership MA program and the founding director of the Summer Reading Clinic. She teachers graduate and undergraduate courses in Language and Literacy. Dr. Policastro... Read More →

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

Early Childhood (Birth-K) Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), Early Language and Literacy, Literacy Educator Preparation, Literacy Policy for Equity and Justice, Writing for Equity a

1:45pm EDT

Curating Dynamic & Diverse Classroom Libraries that Engage Students and Encourage Reading LIMITED

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

Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

This session provides elementary school teachers with the tools and resources needed to build a classroom library that packs a powerful punch and gets kids to spend more time reading. The presenter will share evidence-based practices, tips & tricks for library management, book acquisition suggestions, and titles that interest and inspire young readers. Attendees will have the chance to win a Birdie's Book Box filled with 35 books to take home and add to their K-5 elementary classroom libraries.

Speakers

Alyce Hartman

Founder & Executive Director, Birdie's Bookmobile

Alyce Hartman is a dedicated urban educator and curriculum developer with over ten years of experience in teaching and the non-profit sector. She specializes in early language, literacy, and diverse and culturally relevant literature for children and young adults. She teaches STEAM... Read More →

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

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Early Language and Literacy

1:45pm EDT

Get Off to the “Write” Start! How to Support Early Career Teachers’ Writing Instruction LIMITED

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

Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

This session will provide a brief overview of one Community of Practice (CoP) focused on early career teachers and effective elementary writing instruction. The bulk of the session will outline the planning approach for this CoP as well as provide work time to plan for a CoP that could be adopted by building administrators, mentor teachers, coaches, or other teacher education professionals.

Speakers

JoAnne West

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Saginaw Valley State University

Julie Brehmer

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

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Foundational Writing Skills, Literacy Coaching and Leadership, Literacy Educator Preparation, Written Expression

1:45pm EDT

Our Journey to the Science of Reading: How One School Went from Sporadic Literacy to Systematic Literacy LIMITED

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

Grand Gallery A (DeVos Place)

Through three different lenses - Literacy Coach & Interventionist, 2nd grade teacher, and 6th grade teacher - participants will get an in-depth look at how the CKLA curriculum + LETRS training + daily dedicated intervention/enrichment time has equipped our teachers to implement the Science of Reading (SoR) in PreK-8th grade classrooms.

Speakers

Stephanie Howay

Literacy Specialist and Coach, St. Mary Mt. Clemens

Jennifer Smart

Andrea Korotko

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

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Foundational Reading Skills, Foundational Writing Skills

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

Getting to the Heart of Disciplinary Literacy in the Secondary Classroom LIMITED

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

Gallery Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this two-part series, we’ll dive into the why and the how for integrating reading, writing and discussion in the classroom. Teachers will walk away with an understanding of literacy research and practical strategies for the classroom that link strong purposes for reading to focused writing tasks & discussions. Plus, participants will gain access to a toolkit of ready-to-use resources.

Speakers

Emily Toy

6-12 ELA and Social Studies Curriculum and Instructional Technology Specialist, Warren Consolidated Schools

Kevin Bullis

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

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

Strand(s) Disciplinary Literacy, Writing in the Content Areas, Written Expression

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