Day 2 Conference Schedule 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Gather in Community: Welcome & Intro Start your day by coming together for a warm welcome and exciting announcements! We’ll celebrate the 30 Under 30 Award recipients, share the results of the election, and reveal the 2026 theme. 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Keynote General Session: Kelly J. Baptist Join us as we kick off Day 2 with a keynote session from Kelly J. Baptist. In her presentation, "The Art of Taking A Breath," Kelly will guide us to pause, reflect, and embrace the power of being present. As literacy educators, we often keep moving forward, but what happens when we intentionally take a breath? Kelly will help us explore the importance of balance, renewal, and purpose in our work every day. Let’s gather in community, take a collective breath, and set the tone for a meaningful and enriching Day 2 of the conference!
Kelly J. Baptist is the award-winning author of eight books for kids, including Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero, The Electric Slide and Kai, and the NAACP Image Award-nominated Eb & Flow. Kelly was the 2023 Gwen Frostic Award recipient. She lives and writes in Southwest Michigan, where her... Read More →
