69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

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

10:30am EST

Author Visits: Beyond the Basics, Beyond the Books LIMITED

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

River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Teachers use goal setting to direct many elements of the curriculum. Why not author visits?
Authors Alice B. McGinty and Sarah Aronson share a new approach to planning and implementing school visits. This includes a checklist of social-emotional and curriculum goals which will provide the tools to give students empowering, meaningful interactions with authors, bringing reading and writing to life.

Speakers

Alice McGinty

Author, SCBWI Michigan

As the author of over 50 books for children, both fiction and nonfiction, I love to visit schools and libraries and to feel the magic that happens when connecting with young readers! With award-winning books like Bathe the Cat, Pancakes to Parathas: Breakfast Around the World, and... Read More →

Sarah Aronson

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

Appropriate for All Levels

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Literacy Educator Preparation

10:30am EST

Virtual Great Lakes Great Books Award Presentation 2024-25 LIMITED

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

Virtual Event

The virtual presentation will unveil the winners of the 2024-25 Great Lakes Great Books Award, as voted on by Michigan students! We will also reveal the nominees for grades K-12 for the 2025-26 list for the first time and provide resources for sharing the nominees with a class, voting instructions, and information on submitting a title for nomination for the next year. Streamed on Facebook LIVE.

Speakers

Jesse Shirtz

co-chair, Great Lakes Great Books Award

Heather Lander

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

Appropriate for All Levels

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults

10:30am EST

Personal Narrative Quick Writes through Literature: How to Develop Student Voice and Community

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

Grand Gallery C (DeVos Place)

Participants will explore how to develop student voice through quick writes that align with a theme from a text. Through thoughtful book choice, conversation, and writing prompts, participants will explore ways to use text to garner opportunities for students to write about their own lives. Sample structures and collaboration with others around text and through quick writes will also be explored.

Speakers

Leah Porter

3rd grade teacher, Holt Public Schools

Leah Porter is a 3rd grade teacher and the 2022 Michigan State Teacher of the Year. She teaches at Wilcox Elementary in Holt, Michigan. Previously, she has been a Kindergarten, Reading Recovery, and Intervention teacher. Porter holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and... Read More →

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

Elementary (K-5)

Strand(s) Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness, Written Expression

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

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

Museum Visits as Literacy-Learning Opportunities: A Look at The Henry Ford’s Literacy-Focused Programming LIMITED

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

River Overlook E (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Museum visits can provide an abundance of learning opportunities, but how can we support early literacy during these visits? Learn how The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, MI is centering literacy in its programming and creating opportunities for young learners to expand and strengthen their reading skills during their time spent within the exhibit halls.

Speakers

Lori Petrelius

Museum Programs Manager, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Hi there, I'm Lori! I'm a relocated Yooper living in the Metro Detroit area. I am the museum programs manager at The Henry Ford and an advocate for children's literacy programs. I can't wait to connect with you!

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

Appropriate for All Levels

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

1:00pm EST

Books to Builds: STEM Activities to Compliment Your Favorite Read-Alouds LIMITED

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

Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

Integrate STEM seamlessly into read-alouds to boost comprehension and engagement without extra time. Learn to pair beloved stories with simple engineering challenges that bring texts to life while also building STEM skills. Discover new favorite picture books and walk away ready to enrich your read-alouds with interactive, story-based STEM activities.

Speakers

Terra Tarango

Director, Van Andel Institute for Education

Terra Tarango serves as Director of the Van Andel Institute for Education, overseeing innovative student programs, game-changing teacher professional development, and the implementation of Blue Apple projects where teachers inspire students to make the world a better place. She is... Read More →

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

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Foundational Reading Skills, Language Comprehension

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

Independent Reading in High School That Honors Choice and Creativity and Doesn’t Kill the Love of Reading LIMITED

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

River Overlook D (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

How do you assess independent reading when you can’t read every book? How do you know if students are fake reading? How can you improve reading skills and practice important writing skills? How do you repair students’ relationships with reading? This session will tackle all this and provide adaptable solutions/ideas that can be taken from this session and used in classrooms.

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 →

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

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

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

1:00pm EST

Using Multicultural Poems to Get Students to Write LIMITED

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

Gallery Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Diverse works inspire empathy and good student writing. We will analyze poems by women, Hispanic, Native-American, Black, Arab-American, and Asian-American poets: Alberto Ríos, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Mong-Lan, Joy Harjo, Naomi Shihab Nye, Robert Hayden, etc. We will discuss what makes a poem outstanding. Participants will get handouts with poems, lesson plans, and a bibliography.

Speakers

Janet Ruth Heller

Past President, Michigan College English Association

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

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

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

2:30pm EST

Together We Can Do Great Things: The Journey of One Small County Doing Big Things in Literacy LIMITED

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

Grand Gallery E (DeVos Place)

One small rural county came together to make big things happen in literacy! Learn how the Lapeer County Literacy Team intentionally planned and implemented initiatives such as professional learning cohorts, model classroom libraries, and instructional rounds. Participants will walk away with ideas on how to optimally support teachers during initiatives and strive for high levels of participation.

Speakers

Kristal White

Literacy Consultant and Coach Coordinator, Lapeer County Intermediate School District

Literacy consultant and coach coordinator for LCISD since 2016. Former learning coach, k-5 literacy interventionist, and kindergarten teacher. Wife, mom of 3, and lifetime learner.

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

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Foundational Reading Skills, Literacy Coaching and Leadership

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

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

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

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

Come to Camp! Creating an Inclusive, Positive Literacy Summer Camp Experience for Middle School Students LIMITED

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

River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

How can middle-grades students reconnect to their love of reading and writing? Invite them to a Summer Camp to rebuild their literate identities! Presenters share how an ISD-created middle school literacy program has helped students read and write more while optimizing choice, collaboration and creativity. Learn about the basic summer camp structure, low-cost resources, and how to collect data.

Speakers

Liz Lietz, MRA President

ELA Consultant, Macomb Intermediate School District

Liz Lietz is an ELA Consultant for the Macomb Intermediate School District. She is currently serving as the President of the Michigan Reading Association, and is a Member-At-Large for NCTE's Conference on English Leadership (CEL) executive board. Liz taught high school English and... Read More →

Sara Belvedere

Secondary English & Continuous Improvement Consultant, Macomb ISD

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

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

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

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