69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

Add sessions to your personal schedule to register your attendance (Check-In).

10:30am EST

Read, Feel, Grow: Cultivating Vocabulary Development and SEL with Interactive Read-Alouds LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Gallery Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this session, elementary teachers will explore strategies to simultaneously support their students’ social-emotional learning (SEL) and vocabulary development during interactive read-alouds, using tools such as the feel wheel. The presenter will share resources to promote authentic and humanizing SEL and literacy practices for teachers to try in their own classrooms on Monday morning.

Speakers

Allison Phillippe

PhD Candidate, Michigan State University

Allison Phillippe is a PhD Candidate at Michigan State University in the Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education with a focus on Language and Literacy. Before coming to MSU, she taught third and fourth grade for nine years. Most recently, she taught fourth grade in Jenison... Read More →

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Gallery Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Appropriate for All Levels

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Foundational Reading Skills, Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness

10:30am EST

B is for Belonging LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Creating a sense of belonging starts with building strong, meaningful foundations through connection. When kids feel accepted as they form their identities, there are positive mental health effects. In this session, many ideas and literacy connections will be shared to create a classroom atmosphere where kids see themselves reflected and respected.

Speakers

Shannon Anderson

Author, Brain Coach, Professor, Motivational Speaker, www.shannonisteaching.com

Shannon Anderson has taught for 25 years, from first grade through college level. She also served as the gifted coordinator for her school district and on the board of directors for the Indiana State Literacy Association. A highlight of her teaching career was being named one of the... Read More →

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), Literacy Educator Preparation, Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness

10:30am EST

Reading, Writing, and Belonging: Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Grand Gallery F (DeVos Place)

Building a classroom culture that values every student’s voice is essential for creating a meaningful literacy experience.This session explores how educators can embrace identities as readers and writers, using literacy as a powerful tool for self-expression, community connection, and skill-building.

Speakers

Heather Palmer

Literacy Consultant, Wayne RESA

Carrie Fromm

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Grand Gallery F (DeVos Place)

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Disciplinary Literacy, Writing in the Content Areas

10:30am EST

Indigenous Authors, Improving Student Culture at the K-8 Level LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

This session will introduce educators to student-appropriate Native American books. It explores how Native American literature can be used in the classroom to introduce students to culture, heritage, and ways of life that may differ from their own. This session will celebrate diversity and inclusion of students and focus on building a safe learning environment.

Speakers

Wendy Gilliard

6th grade teacher, Sault Area Public Schools

Sydnie Dumas

7th Grade ELA Teacher

I was born and raised in the Sault and came back home to teach at one of the middle schools. I attended JKL Bahweting School from grades K-8, which is funded by the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. After high school I attended Central Michigan University where I received a B.S in... Read More →

Kendall Moser

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

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

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

10:30am EST

For Elementary and Secondary - Who’s at the Center? Cultivating a Critical Lens to Building and Integrating Culturally Relevant Text Sets LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

River Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this workshop-style session, we model how to critically and strategically build culturally relevant text sets that amplify diverse voices in literacy/ELA education. Attendees will articulate their criteria for selecting texts, explore sample text sets, and experiment with instructional activities that center students’ intersectional identities through intentional text selection and integration.

Our presentation can be accessed here.

Speakers

Dr. Christina M. Ponzio

Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University

Building from my previous experiences as a secondary ELA/ESL teacher, ESL program coordinator, and literacy coach in Metro Detroit and teacher educator at Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University, I am committed to advancing equity, inclusion and... Read More →

Brianna Albert

Kindergarten Teacher, Martin Public Schools

Hello everyone! I am so excited to be presenting at this conference! I am glad I get to expand my knowledge with all of you! I have been teaching for 4 years now with mostly lower elementary experience and some upper elementary. I am working on my masters at GVSU in educational... Read More →

Sara Weeks

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
River Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

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)

10:30am EST

Reading and Writing for Tier 2 and 3 Students, Students with Disabilities, and English Learners FILLING

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

River Overlook E (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

This session will explore strategies and best practices for teaching English Language Arts to create the most equitable experience possible for all students in a classroom setting regardless of race and ethnicity, disability status, language background, and socioeconomic status.

Speakers

Megan Kowalski

Special Education Teacher, Chicago Public Schools

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
River Overlook E (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

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

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Digital Literacy, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness, Written Expression

10:30am EST

Room to Wrestle: Teaching with Novels in Verse LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Grand Gallery A (DeVos Place)

Sharing our experiences as educators and authors, we will highlight the power of using novels-in-verse to create space for students to wrestle with identity and complex topics. Participants can expect to engage in examples of hands-on lessons that use excerpts from various verse novels as we experiment and discover together.

Speakers

Kelly J. Baptist

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 →

Dana VanderLugt

Secondary Literacy Consultant, Ottawa Area ISD

Dana VanderLugt is a writer and literacy consultant for the Ottawa Area ISD who has taught reading and writing in middle school, high school, and college classrooms.Her first book, Enemies in the Orchard: A World War 2 Novel in Verse was published by Zonderkidz in September 2023... Read More →

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Grand Gallery A (DeVos Place)

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

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Written Expression

1:00pm EST

Stories of Leadership & Liberation LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Grand Gallery C (DeVos Place)

This session will introduce participants to “Stories of Leadership & Liberation,” an innovative curriculum that uses select picture books to affirm, challenge, and deepen notions of leadership for children and adult learners. The liberatory texts center themes of communication, trust, and decision making. Participants will engage in dialogue, interactive read-aloud, and critical text analysis. Maren Oberman is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education in Ann Arbor, MI. She teaches in both undergraduate- and graduate- teacher- and leader-preparation programs. Her work uses both literature and history to support students' growth and development, advance justice-oriented education, interrogate white supremacy, and de-center whiteness, through the teaching of courses such as Stories of Leadership & Liberation, Exploring Whiteness, Introduction to Leadership Development, and Teaching to Transgress. Oberman also provides consultation and professional development to individuals, teams, schools, and organizations in the areas of racial identity development, intergroup dialogue, and justice aims.

Speakers

Dr. Maren Oberman

Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Grand Gallery C (DeVos Place)

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)

1:00pm EST

Transformative Literacy Teaching and Learning: A Community-Based Reading Initiative LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

River Overlook F (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Educators will learn the importance of utilizing powerful community connections as a resource to foster literacy and language growth in their classrooms, schools, and/or districts. Using both statistical and anecdotal data, the presenters will discuss the results of a summer reading intervention and discuss strengths and challenges of community-based in-school and out-of-school interventions.

Speakers

Gwendolyn Thompson McMillon

Professor of Literacy, Oakland University

Danielle Alexander

Doctoral Student and Graduate Assistant, Oakland University

A former high school English/journalism teacher and university composition instructor, I am interested in the teaching and assessing of secondary and postsecondary student writing.

Qingxian Wang

Yujie Mao

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
River Overlook F (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Foundational Reading Skills

1:00pm EST

We Are All Learners and We Are All Teachers: A Community of Practice for "Teaching for Black Lives" LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Gallery Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this interactive session we will explore together how literacy communities can be reimagined as more just and transformative spaces by: 1) building collective professional learning opportunities in liberatory education; and 2) centering community-based literacy educators as equal partners alongside school-based educators.

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 →

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Gallery Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)

1:00pm EST

Good Grammar: Creating Joyful and Affirming Language Lessons That Work for More Students FULL

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Grammar is often taught with a focus on error correction, rather than an invitation to craft, joy, and play—and so often the results are less than desired. This session will offer an alternative: practical, novel, joyful, and human solutions for teaching grammar in effective, equitable, enjoyable ways. Participants will walk away with research-based lessons that can be implemented tomorrow.

Speakers

Matthew Johnson

ELA Teacher, Ann Arbor Public Schools

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

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

1:00pm EST

Growing Teachers in their Support of Multilingual Learners LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

This session integrates the Literacy Essentials with research in English language development to deepen teachers' understanding and application of instruction while supporting multilingual learners and building capacity to interact with families and communities across diverse language and cultural backgrounds.

Speakers

Elizabeth Stolle

Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University's (GVSU) mission is to empower learners and enrich society through teaching, scholarship, equity, and public service. GVSU's vision is to prepare globally-minded citizens.

Dr. Christina M. Ponzio

Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University

Lindsay Stoetzel

Professor, Grand Valley State University

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

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

2:30pm EST

Building Bridges: Developing Community Partnerships that Improve Literacy Learning LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

River Overlook D (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Although schools and school districts list building community partnerships as a goal, many of them do not know how to establish and sustain community partnerships. The purpose of this presentation is to show attendees how to mobilize and sustain community partnerships by using statistical and anecdotal data from their literacy intervention project.

Speakers

Gwendolyn Thompson McMillon

Professor of Literacy, Oakland University

Joshua McMillon

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
River Overlook D (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Appropriate for All Levels

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Foundational Reading Skills

2:30pm EST

From the Author Toolbox - Using Mentor Texts for Reading It In and Writing It Out LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Gallery Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Help students enjoy ‘reading it in and writing it out’ by embracing their author mojo. Hear how a former classroom teacher and published picture book author uses mentor texts to mine ideas, format stories, and hone craft. Explore lessons, games, and activities that provide the space and opportunity for students to have their voices heard and to represent their own communities.

Speakers

Cindy Williams Schrauben

Author, Cindy Williams Schrauben Books

Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in west Michigan where she writes books for children that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. When not writing or sharing her books, this award-winning author might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading... Read More →

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Gallery Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

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

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Early Language and Literacy, Foundational Writing Skills

2:30pm EST

Growing Together: Writing into Social Emotional Learning LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

In this session, educators will explore approaches to integrating social emotional learning (SEL) within daily writing opportunities. The presenters will share research-based strategies to embed SEL within writing practices alongside real-world examples including connecting to students’ funds of knowledge, fostering positive environments, and promoting self-awareness and self-regulation.

Speakers

Lindsay Stoetzel

Professor, Grand Valley State University

Matilyn Mumm

Angela Gonzalez-Urbina

I am a third grade TWBI teacher for Holland Language Academy for the last 5 years. I love being able to teach in Spanish and to share the love for the culture and language. In my free time I teach ballet folklorico for Ballet Folklorico Sol Azteca. I also love to spend time with... Read More →

Lexi Marzolf

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

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

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness, Written Expression

2:30pm EST

Using Visuals and Poetry Writing to Illuminate Student Learning FILLING

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Come explore visual resources of an historical time, like photos from the Library of Congress. Next, participate in a poetry writing activity, starting with a group pantoum poem. Then create a pantoum, acrostic, or elegy, about a person, event, or place about that period. Leave knowing ways poetic forms help students express creatively their learning about the Five Ws and H of an historical era.

Speakers

Anna Roseboro

Mentor/Coach

Anna J. Small Roseboro is widely known for her work with groups like the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the Conference on English Leadership, the California Association of Teachers of English, the Michigan Council of Teachers of English, and the California Association of Independent Schools . With 40 years experience in public and private schools, she is a National Board Certified Teac... Read More →

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Writing in the Content Areas

2:30pm EST

Cultivating Culture: Making Our ELA Classroom Culturally Responsive and Engaging LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

River Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

How can we become more aware and attentive to our classroom culture? Based on research by Dr. Ernest Morrell, we explore instructional strategies that tap students’ experiences. From interacting with literature to infusing popular culture, educators will leave this session equipped with ways to create a more culturally-responsive and engaging classroom community.

Speakers

Elizabeth Gonzalez

Literacy Specialist, Savvas Learning Company

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
River Overlook B (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

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

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

10:30am EDT

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

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

Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

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

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

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

1:45pm EDT

Where I'm From: Centering Adolescent Engagement, Voice, and Literacy Identity through a University-Community Partnership LIMITED

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

Gallery Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Presenters will share a model co-created with a community partner for engaging middle grade students in finding their voices as readers and writers through multiple modalities. Students explore their identities in creative ways while exploring literacy in a variety of genres including building from their interests and identities to compose their own music.

Speakers

Maggie Hanna

Assistant Professor, Teacher Education, Eastern Michigan University

Jacqueline LaRose

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

Appropriate for All Levels

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), Written Expression

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