69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

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

10:30am EST

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

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

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

1:00pm EST

The Path to Fluency for ALL Readers: The Essential Components for Developing Struggling Readers FULL

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

Grand Gallery D (DeVos Place)

"Do you want me to do real reading or just read fast?" was the question from a student that stopped me in my tracks. I will tell the story of our journey in searching for a way to help our students become fluent and confident readers that supported "real reading".

Speakers

Angi Hoyer

Partner Success & Professional Learning Lead, Foundations In Learning

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

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

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), Foundational Reading Skills, Literacy Educator Preparation

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

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

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

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