2025 Literacy Convening: Full Schedule

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7:15am MDT

Registration/Sign-In/Breakfast

Thursday June 12, 2025 7:15am - 8:15am MDT

Foyer

Breakfast in Foyer
Tables set in Tewa Ballroom

Thursday June 12, 2025 7:15am - 8:15am MDT
Foyer 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

8:30am MDT

Opening and Welcome

Thursday June 12, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am MDT

Tewa Ballroom

Welcome by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Secretary of Education Mariana Padilla, Senator Mimi Stewart - President Pro Tempore

Keynote Speakers

Governer Michelle Lujan Grisham

Governor, State of New Mexico

Michelle Lujan Grisham is the thirty-second governor of the state of New Mexico and the first Democratic Hispanic woman to be elected governor in U.S. history. Her second term began in 2023.Whether it’s fighting climate change or fighting crime, increasing opportunities in education... Read More →

Mariana Padilla

Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Public Education Department

Padilla has served as the Director of the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet since the start of the administration, leading the Governor’s child and family well-being agenda. She also serves as the Governor’s senior education policy advisor, overseeing early childhood, K-12, and... Read More →

Mimi Stewart

Senator - (D) - President Pro Tempore, New Mexico State Senate, representing District 17

Mimi Stewart is member of the New Mexico State Senate, representing District 17 since 2015. Stewart worked as a special education teacher in the Albuquerque Public Schools where she taught for several years before entering politics. Stewart was elected President Pro Tempore of the... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am MDT
Tewa Ballroom 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

9:15am MDT

"I" to "We" to "You": Meaningful Connections Through Love and Literacy

Thursday June 12, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Tewa Ballroom

This keynote empowers educators to bridge the gap between individual purpose and collective impact, equipping them with actionable strategies to build strong student partnerships, deepen rapport, and create a culture of belonging within their classrooms and school communities. By exploring the essential qualities of a confident and connected teacher, we’ll uncover a framework for engaging, literacy-rich instruction that transcends subjects and fosters collaboration. School leaders and educators will gain valuable insights for personalizing learning, refining instructional walk-throughs, and differentiating with intention, ensuring every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to thrive.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Jorge Valenzuela

Education Coach, Lifelong Learning Defined

Jorge Valenzuela is a respected performance and education coach, author, and speaker at Lifelong Learning Defined. His mission is to empower educators to lead confidently and teach with greater effectiveness. Specializing in instructional innovation and action research, Jorge provides... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Tewa Ballroom 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

10:30am MDT

Climbing THE LADDER OF READING & WRITING: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Room 2 - Caldera

In this session, Dr. Nancy Young will provide an overview of the continuum of ease in learning to read and write and the instructional implications. As she explains the features and terms within her widely recognized translational framework, The Ladder of Reading & Writing© (2023), Nancy will emphasize the importance of differentiation to serve the broad range of needs in today’s classrooms, from students who are experiencing challenges learning to read to students who are advanced in reading for their age. Nancy will focus especially on the terms “explicit,” “implicit,” “systematically designed,” “comprehensive analytical,” and “extended learning/acceleration.” While drawing attention to WHO, WHAT, WHY, and HOW, Nancy will encourage attendees to think about the evolving science of reading movement, current swings happening in the field, and gaps in the existing research.

Note: In this session, Nancy will be referencing chapters from her co-edited professional development book, Climbing THE LADDER OF READING & WRITING: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners (2024).

Presenters

Dr. Nancy Young

Instruction Based on Need, Independent Canadian Educational Consultant

Dr. Nancy Young is an independent Canadian educational consultant providing professional development for an international audience.Nancy’s current focus is the WHO, WHAT and WHY of literacy instruction in the early primary grades. Nancy’s emphasis is instruction based on need... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Room 2 - Caldera 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

10:30am MDT

Elevate NM: Empowering Educators to Drive Growth and Success LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Room 6 - Mesa B

This session will provide an in-depth look at New Mexico's Elevate NM teacher evaluation program, which is key in supporting literacy development across the state. Attendees will explore how the evaluation system aligns with best practices in literacy instruction and fosters continuous improvement for educators. We'll discuss how Elevate NM provides valuable feedback, guides professional growth, and empowers teachers with the tools to enhance literacy outcomes for all students. Participants will walk away with strategies for using Elevate NM to strengthen literacy instruction and drive student achievement.

Presenters

Monica Nunez

Elevate NM liaison, NMPED Educator Growth and Development Bureau

Monica Nuñez is the Elevate NM liaison at the New Mexico Public Education Department's Educator Growth and Development Bureau. The Educator Quality Division created her position intentionally created for the teacher evaluation program support needed at the school district and campus... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Room 6 - Mesa B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

10:30am MDT

Implementing SOR-Aligned Writing Instruction in Content-Area Classrooms LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Room 3 - Vista A

You know writing is a crucial aspect of a SOR-aligned classroom. You know it's best taught within the context of the content areas. But how do you make it happen? Our campus is using Joan Sedita's Writing Rope to lead the way to more effective writing instruction that is embedded within our content area classes. This session will discuss how to use explicit instruction, beginning at the sentence level, to instruct students in grammar, syntax, text structure, and writing craft—all while meeting the content area standards for science, social studies, mathematics, and literacy.

Presenters

Amanda Herman

Interim Assistant Principal, Bernalillo Public Schools

Amanda Herman has been an educator for grades Pre-K through 8th grade for 18 years. She started her career in south Florida teaching in a diverse, Title 1 charter school. Once moving to New Mexico, she taught for eight years at a private Montessori school before moving to Bernalillo... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Room 3 - Vista A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

10:30am MDT

New Mexico Social Studies Standards: Resources and Strategies LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Room 8 - Barranca B

Are you looking for instructional strategies and resources for teaching social studies? NMPED has developed and curated a wealth of materials. Come learn about what is available for teaching the New Mexico Social Studies Standards at all grade levels.

Presenters

Erica Wheeler

Humanities Program Specialist, NMPED Humanities

Erica Wheeler has worked as an educator in New Mexico for two decades. Currently, she is the Humanities Program Specialist with the New Mexico Public Education Department where she supports social studies instruction and fine arts programming. Ms. Wheeler helped write the recently... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Room 8 - Barranca B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

10:30am MDT

Oral Language Development through Interactive Processing Structures for Elementary Teachers LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Room 4 - Vista B

Oral language is the foundation of literacy, and purposeful interaction is key to its development. In this session, participants will explore interactive processing structures that actively engage students in meaningful discussions, enhancing their speaking and listening skills. Educators will experience and practice research-based strategies that promote academic conversations, build vocabulary, and support comprehension. Walk away with practical, ready-to-use techniques that foster a language-rich classroom environment!

Presenters

Esther Peterson

Leading LETRS Trainer, Las Cruces Public Schools

Esther Peterson has dedicated 25 years to education, beginning her career as an English immersion teacher for 3- and 4-year-olds learning English as a second language. She has taught Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade in both regular and bilingual settings, including multi-age K-2 classrooms.Her... Read More →

Mindy Tapia

Elementary ELA Content Specialist, Las Cruces Public Schools

Mindy Tapia has been an educator since 1999, with over 20 years of experience in elementary education and instructional leadership. She has taught 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades and currently serves as an Elementary ELA Content Specialist. Holding degrees in sociology (B.A.), Curriculum... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Room 4 - Vista B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

10:30am MDT

Rooted in Learning: Place-Based and Community-Based Education Strategies LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Room 7 - Barranca A

In this session, we will discuss the importance of place-based/community-based education and provide strategies for educators as a starting point for teaching concepts in various subjects. Teachers will walk away with tools for student-centered inquiry, which allow students to investigate local issues or questions that interest them. Other strategies discussed include community storytelling, problem-solving, story mapping, and nature walks.

Presenters

Kristy Reale

Outdoor Learning Specialist, NMPED

Kristy Reale is an Outdoor Learning Specialist with over 11 years of experience in education. Born and raised in New Mexico, they are dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for students in the state. With a strong background in experiential learning, Kristy aims to help... Read More →

Patricia Gharrity

Assistant Director of Math and Science Outdoor Learning Initiative Program Manager, NMPED

Patricia (Trish) Gharrity is the Assistant Director of Math and Science/ Outdoor Learning Initiative Program Manager. Her experience in education spans 19 years including teaching birth – 6th grade, Assistant Principal and Principal. Patricia obtained her undergraduate degree in... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Room 7 - Barranca A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

10:30am MDT

Two Keys to Unlock Language and Literacy for Multilingual Learners LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Room 5 - Mesa A

Structural inequities emerge when systems fail to adapt to the needs of their evolving communities. While structured literacy is effective for all, the National Literacy Panel identified two key adjustments—oral language proficiency and cross-language transfers—necessary to accelerate learning among multilingual learners. Carrying out these adjustments requires specialized knowledge, and this session aims to make this work manageable and digestible for educators and leaders alike. Attendees will learn practical strategies for immediate implementation to advance second language and literacy acquisition among MLLs.

Presenters

Megan Gierka

Head of Implementation, AIM Institute for Learning & Research

Megan Gierka, Ed.D. is the Head of Implementation Strategy at AIM Institute for Learning and Research. In this role, Megan translates implementation science research into actionable tools and frameworks to facilitate systems change at the federal, state, and district levels. Prior... Read More →

Nichole Ormandy

Head of Research and Product Development, AIM Institute for Learning & Research

Nicole Ormandy, M.S. Ed. is the Head of Research and Product Development at AIM Institute for Learning and Research, where she is responsible for designing professional learning solutions centered around reading, writing, and inclusive practices for culturally and linguistically diverse... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Room 5 - Mesa A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

10:30am MDT

When Big Kids Struggle to Read LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Room 1 - Pueblo

This session will build an understanding that the implementation of HQIM occurs over multiple years, in distinct phases, and across different roles within the system. Participants will be introduced to the Instructional Materials Implementation Tools and will determine where their district and school are in the implementation journey and plan for the next steps.

Presenters

Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry

Leader for Evidence-Aligned Literacy Transformation, Independent Consultant

Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry is a thought and implementation leader for evidence-aligned literacy transformation, with a special interest in RTI/MTSS. Prior to returning to independent consultancy, she was employed for 6 years at a national nonprofit organization where she built and oversaw... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Room 1 - Pueblo 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

11:45am MDT

Assessing Secondary Writing LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT

Room 3 - Vista A

According to the Institute for Education Sciences, the most effective evidence-based best practice for teaching writing to secondary students is through the model-practice-reflect cycle and using assessments of student writing to inform instruction and feedback. Formative assessment of writing and increasing writing across content areas will support secondary students’ writing development and increase reading comprehension.

In this webinar, educators will: examine and break down the 6th-12th grade writing standards for the production and distribution of writing, explore evidence-based best practices for assessing student writing, and collaborate with other secondary educators to reflect on current teaching practices and how to incorporate their learning into their classrooms.

This session is intended for all 6th-12th literacy educators to strengthen their current practices in teaching and assessing the Arizona writing standards. All participants will walk away with strategies and resources to implement in their classrooms right away, including a guide full of evidence-based best practices for teaching secondary writing effectively.

Participants will:

Examine and break down the 6th-12th grade writing standards for the production and distribution of writing

Explore evidence-based best practices for assessing student writing and AZ assessment resources

Collaborate with other secondary educators to reflect on current teaching practices and how to incorporate their learning into their classrooms

Participants will gain access to a digital repository of related resources and will participate in collegial discussions and reflections about their own current system.

Presenters

Lauren Spenceley

Secondary English Language Arts Specialist, Arizona Department of Education

Lauren Spenceley M.Ed. is the Secondary English Language Arts Specialist with the Arizona Department of Education. Lauren provides support to districts, schools, and educators with implementation of Arizona's English Language Arts Standards, with particular focus on grades 6-12, including... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT
Room 3 - Vista A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

11:45am MDT

Creating the Conditions for Student Success: Implementing the SAILS Instructional Model for Transformative Leadership LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT

Room 6 - Mesa B

Join Dawn Brookhart in this interactive session to discover the transformative power of the SAILS Instructional Model, a comprehensive framework designed to enhance student learning through shared leadership. Built on the research of Hasbrouck & Denton (2005), Hasbrouck & Michel (2022), and Michel & Brookhart (in press - 2025), the SAILS Instructional Model empowers educators to take collective responsibility for student success by fostering a culture of collaboration, alignment, and clear, shared expectations.

Effective leadership starts with a deep understanding of expectations, and in this session, you’ll explore how school and district leaders can create the conditions for success. We’ll discuss how to develop a unified vision and align all stakeholders around common, actionable goals. Drawing on Marzano and Waters’ (2009) five core responsibilities for high achievement, we’ll guide you through key strategies such as collaborative goal setting, establishing nonnegotiable goals, and aligning resources to maximize student success.

The session will also dive into the five critical components of the SAILS Model: Standards, Assessment, Instruction & Intervention, Leadership, and Sustainability. We will explore how standards serve not only as the baseline but also as the foundation for deeper, more meaningful learning. You’ll gain insights on how to push student achievement beyond basic proficiency, encouraging students to demonstrate profound understanding and apply their knowledge to solve complex, real-world challenges.

By attending this session, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to implement the SAILS Model in your school or district, transform your leadership practices, and build a collaborative culture that drives sustainable, student-focused improvements. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to create lasting change in your educational community and empower every educator to contribute to student success.

Presenters

Dawn Brookhart

Leader, Consultant, and Instructional Coach, Co-Founder of Ed Cap Consulting, LLC

Dawn Brookhart, M.A.T., M.Ed., is an accomplished leader, consultant, and instructional coach with nearly three decades of experience in transforming education. She collaborates with schools, districts, state education agencies, and educational organizations to bridge the gap between... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT
Room 6 - Mesa B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

11:45am MDT

From Struggle to Strength: How Effective MTSS/MLSS and Academic Support Improve Literacy & Mental Health LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT

Room 2 - Caldera

Presenters

Tim Odegard

Professor of Psychology, Middle Tennessee State University

Tim Odegard, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology and holds the Katherine Davis Murfree Chair of Excellence in Dyslexic Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. He also leads the efforts of the Tennessee Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia. He serves as Editor-in-Chief... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT
Room 2 - Caldera 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

11:45am MDT

Let’s Talk Foundations: Oral Language Development LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT

Room 4 - Vista B

Oral language—listening and talking—is the primary means by which young children learn about and interact with the world. This training offers simple but powerful ideas to support young children in building the skills, knowledge, vocabulary, and attitudes that can help prepare them for future academic learning across the content areas. Specifically, this session offers an overview of the research on oral language development and addresses activities to enhance circle time, ideas for more effective read-alouds, ways to develop language through content-related activities, and methods to enhance language development during instruction. Information is also provided on language diversity and bilingualism, effective classroom and activity area arrangements, and organizing successful oral language instruction.

Presenters

Jodie Lujan

Teacher, GISD

I am Jodie Lujan, I am a teacher. I have a teaching license in all core subjects EC-6, a Special Education License EC-12, and I am certified in Bilingual Education. I have a BA in Elementary Education with a concentration in English and Language Arts. I have a certificate in diagnosing... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT
Room 4 - Vista B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

11:45am MDT

Teaching Personal Finance: Useful & Free Resources for Teachers LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT

Room 8 - Barranca B

Nusenda Credit Union invites you to engage in a quick review of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) research behind financial capability, review the NM Personal Finance standards—which are required for K–12 systems—and discuss the missing knowledge or skills in adult-age college students. Participants will select and review open-source or sponsored financial education resources to create their own menu of resources supporting classroom, program, or department personal finance lessons.

Presenters

Amanda Reyes

Nusenda Credit Union/ CNM/ APS

Amanda passionately serves the community through developing sustainable financial capability programs and partnerships for pre-K to college and community, as the Director of Financial Capability, at Nusenda Credit Union. With over 23 years of teaching and leadership experience in... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT
Room 8 - Barranca B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

11:45am MDT

Three Ways to Activate Student Engagement LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT

Room 1 - Pueblo

Academic research consistently supports a strong correlation between student engagement and student achievement across grade levels and multiple disciplines. Academic engagement is often defined as students actively participating in a task or activity, showing both cognitive and emotional investment. Waning engagement in lessons can be remedied quickly with the three powerful culture-building strategies modeled in this session, designed to re-energize classrooms and refocus student attention. By incorporating these strategies, educators can create an environment where students feel motivated and connected to their learning. Audience: K-12 Teachers and Instructional Coaches

Presenters

Dr. Jorge Valenzuela

Education Coach, Lifelong Learning Defined

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT
Room 1 - Pueblo 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

11:45am MDT

Universal Design for Learning and Literacy is a perfect match! LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT

Room 5 - Mesa A

Come and learn what Universal Design for Learning is and how you can incorporate this framework into your classroom to help build student agency.

Presenters

Janea Menicucci

Coordinator for Universal Design for Learning (UDL), State of New Mexico

Janea Menicucci is currently the Coordinator for Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for the state of New Mexico. She is an experienced instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry. Janea is skilled in Educational Assessment, Educational... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT
Room 5 - Mesa A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

11:45am MDT

Voices of the Land: Exploring Indigenous Narratives and the NM Indigenous Instructional Scope LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT

Room 7 - Barranca A

Join us to experience the power of difference in stories, specifically examining how cross-cultural storytelling can be used to create a welcoming environment. This approach offers a valuable opportunity for teachers to engage students from a variety of cultural backgrounds and exemplifies one way Tenet 3 of the NMIIS awakens in a literacy classroom. This workshop will empower teachers to move beyond the limiting idea of a singular "universal" story and embrace the richness that diverse narratives bring to a classroom. Participants will: engage in hands-on learning experiences, gain access to resources that support ongoing learning, and develop strategies for inclusive curriculum design and create action plans to strengthen community ties equipping them to lean into and plan for the incorporation of the NMIIS into their classrooms regularly!

Presenters

Dr. Jazmine Salach

TNTP

After over a decade in education, Dr. Jazmine Salach continues to deepen her commitment and dedication to supporting school districts and states in creating equitable access to strong instruction, social emotional learning, and career-connected learning opportunities. As a former... Read More →

Dr. Nicky Mendoza

Teacher, Instructional Coach, Mentor, Indigenous-Native American liaison, and Bilingual Panel Coordinator/Advisor

Dr.Nicky Mendoza, Chicana,Mexica-Azteca, and Isleta Pueblo descent, brings 25 years of experience in education across New Mexico, specializing in multicultural special education, bilingual/TESOL education, and the philosophy/psychology of education. With a background spanning elementary... Read More →

Kristal Funk

Senior Manager, TNTP

Kristal Funk is a data driven teacher, instructional coach, school leader and lifelong learner with over 15 years of international multilingual and United States’ public school experience. With a strong background in teaching and learning, Kristal has consistently demonstrated... Read More →

Rose Marie A. Lopez

Teacher of Language Arts, Centennial High School

Rose Marie A. Lopez, M. A., Chihene Nde', Chicana from Southern New Mexico. Dedicating 20 years of experience in education, 15 years as a teacher and 5 years as a Special Educational Assistant (EA). Experience as an EA inspired obtaining a Master's Degree at NMSU. An undergraduate... Read More →

Sara Ames Brown

Teacher of: Teacher Academy, Post High School Success and team-teaches Apache Language, Ruidoso High School

Passionate about building collaborative educational communities that focus on empathy across cultures, languages and lifestyles, Sara Ames Brown believes that New Mexican students can best grow with New Mexican teachers in their classrooms. She mentors teachers and works with local... Read More →

Sathya Sunni Costello

Indigenous Education Curriculum Specialist, NMPED

Sathya Sunni Costello, Diné from Tóhajiilee, New Mexico, has devoted her career to supporting the education and well-being of Indigenous students and communities. She earned her master’s degree from the University of New Mexico and has served in impactful roles, including high... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MDT
Room 7 - Barranca A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2:15pm MDT

Basic Assessment Structure for RTI/MTSS/MLSS LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Room 1 - Pueblo

What is the role of universal screening in an RTI/MTSS/MLSS system for reading? What is the role of diagnostic data? How can we monitor progress in manageable ways? Join me for an exploration of these questions and practical tips for setting up a basic assessment structure.

Presenters

Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry

Leader for Evidence-Aligned Literacy Transformation, Independent Consultant

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Room 1 - Pueblo 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2:15pm MDT

Building English Learners' Background Knowledge to Improve Reading Achievement LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Room 2 - Caldera

Presenters

Dr. Linda Cavazos

Founder, Ellas Consulting

Dr. Linda Cavazos is a professional development/technical assistance provider and researcher with 30 years’ experience in education supporting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. She has provided capacity building and technical assistance support and coaching... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Room 2 - Caldera 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2:15pm MDT

Coaching Literacy Instruction: Using the Collaborative Problem-Solving Process as a Framework LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Room 6 - Mesa B

Participants will be provided with an overview of the Collaborative Problem-Solving Process from Student-Focused Coaching (Hasbrouck & Michel, 2022). Attendees will be immersed in an interactive coaching session that highlights the four phases of the process. Throughout the session, they will have the opportunity to engage in discussion, reflect on current instructional coaching practices, and experience various protocols within the framework.

Presenters

Rianne Ventura

Structured Literacy Coordinator, Central Region Educational Cooperative

Rianne Ventura, MA, NBCT Rianne Ventura is a lifelong learner and educator of 24 years in New Mexico. She holds an MA in Special Education with an emphasis in Gifted Education, and a Dual BA in General Education and Special Education from the University of New Mexico. She has been... Read More →

Toby Soderberg

Structured Literacy Coordinator, Southwest Regional Education Cooperative

Dr. Toby Soderberg is a native of New Mexico. With over 20 years of experience in public education, Toby holds a Level III teaching and administrator license in New Mexico. Throughout his career, he has held multiple teaching positions ranging from music, English Language Arts, and... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Room 6 - Mesa B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2:15pm MDT

Cultural Responsiveness: Information to Guide Instruction LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Room 7 - Barranca A

Our schools represent a diverse range of cultures, ethnicities, languages, and values. As educators, it is paramount that we understand the importance of respecting, embracing, and amplifying our students’ unique perspectives and lived experiences. Culturally responsive teaching bridges gaps in understanding, promotes equity, and creates learning environments where all students can thrive. By affirming students’ identities and fostering meaningful connections between learning and their lives, culturally responsive teaching empowers students to succeed both personally and academically. In this session, participants will learn about culturally responsive teaching and how to integrate it into daily lessons and routines. We will emphasize creating an inclusive and respectful environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Attendees will gain insights into how culture and identity shape the way students learn, communicate, and engage with the world, and how we can leverage these insights to enhance learning outcomes.

Presenters

Nicole Florez

Literacy Specialist, Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE)

Nicole is a Literacy Specialist at the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). She has 25+ years of experience in the elementary school setting, including teaching internationally in Spain and Argentina. Nicole has been a K-3 classroom teacher, a Kindergarten Dual-Language Teacher... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Room 7 - Barranca A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2:15pm MDT

Engaging All Learners: Modeling a Secondary Lesson with Universal Design Principles LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Room 5 - Mesa A

This interactive presentation demonstrates how to design and implement a secondary classroom lesson that prioritizes student engagement and inclusivity using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Participants will experience a hands-on, student-centered lesson model that incorporates multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement.

Presenters

Dr. Kim Lanoy-Sandoval

Deputy Director, Future Focused Education

Dr. Kim Lanoy-Sandoval is a proud New Mexican with over 20 years of experience in education. At Future Focused Education, she co-designs educational systems with local expertise to ensure a more equitable, relevant, and engaging learning experience for youth. Kim is a mom, educator... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Room 5 - Mesa A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2:15pm MDT

Pizzanomics: Understanding Capitalism LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Room 8 - Barranca B

Using a fun and engaging analogy with slices of pizza that every student can understand, Charlie Bergman will show why the lion’s share of income in the U.S. economy goes to owners of companies, not to their workers. Next, he will explain why every student must understand that they need to be both a worker and an owner of a slice of the U.S. economy. He will then demonstrate how easy it is to become an owner by investing in a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds through exchange-traded funds. “Pizzanomics” is a great way for teachers to present the essential feature of capitalism that matters most in building financial literacy for life.

Presenters

Charles Bergman

Financial Literacy, St. John’s College

Charlie Bergman began his teaching career in 1989 when he joined the faculty of Cate School in Carpinteria, California. There he created a model high-school Asian Studies curriculum focusing on China and Japan.Charlie then pursued leadership positions in independent schools, serving... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Room 8 - Barranca B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2:15pm MDT

Practical and Simple Fluency Instructional Strategies for Classroom Teachers and Reading Interventionists FULL

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Room 4 - Vista B

Fluency has been a component of reading that remains a mystery. This session will provide teachers and reading interventionists with very practical, simple strategies that are evidence-based and can be implemented easily without much preparation.

Presenters

Vicki Ferrari

Leadership Consultant

With 31 years of experience in the education field and 17 years of experience in educational leadership, Ms. Ferrari has been determined and passionate to gain a deep understanding of how students learn to read so that all students succeed. She has been in a teacher, an instructional... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Room 4 - Vista B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2:15pm MDT

“I am not a Literacy Teacher…”- Disciplinary Literacy in ALL Classrooms LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Room 3 - Vista A

Supporting literacy across all content areas does not have to look like reading novels, teaching foundational reading, and having students write paragraphs. Disciplinary Literacy is the concept that students are aware of the thinking required for success in each content area or discipline. When students enter the classroom, they need to be able to think like a mathematician, analyze various historical events, understand career- or trade-specific vocabulary, and experiment like a scientist. These skills are essential in empowering students to be literate in all disciplines.

Presenters

Jessica Winchester

Disciplinary Literacy Coach, NWREC2

Jessica Winchester is a Disciplinary Literacy Coach with the NWREC2. She was born and raised in Stanley, NM where her family had a cattle ranch, and also raised show pigs and sheep. She attended New Mexico State University and received her BS in Agriculture Education in 2017. After... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Room 3 - Vista A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

3:30pm MDT

Art Integration 101 LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Room 7 - Barranca A

The ARTS are a natural tool for inquiry, investigation, creativity, community building, connection to classroom curriculum, and more! This practical and hands-on workshop will be grounded in the pedagogy of Harvard Project Zero, including Making Learning Visible and Thinking Routines. The workshop will be facilitated by Michelle Holdt, Arts Integration Learning Specialist. Participants will be introduced to simple yet dynamic arts-integrated strategies that are immediately applicable to their own lesson plan development and implementation.

Presenters

Michelle Holdt

Creative "Seeing" with a Heart Centered Lens

Michelle Holdt is a bold, compassionate, and love-drenched voice of change. Michelle is an artist, a mom, a passionate advocate leading for Love with a capital L and Creativity with a capital C. She brings her years of arts education leadership experience combined with a passionate... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Room 7 - Barranca A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

3:30pm MDT

Empowering Educators: Tools for Helping Students Connect Passion to Purpose LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Room 1 - Pueblo

In today’s education landscape, many students feel disconnected and seek opportunities that match their interests. This session provides educators with practical tools to reignite student enthusiasm and meet curriculum goals. Participants will learn how to integrate students' strengths and interests into their education, emphasize purpose in the curriculum, and build strong rapport with students. A straightforward project-based learning framework will also be introduced to enhance student learning experiences. Audience: K-12 Teachers, Principals, Instructional Coaches and District Instructional Leaders

Presenters

Dr. Jorge Valenzuela

Education Coach, Lifelong Learning Defined

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Room 1 - Pueblo 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

3:30pm MDT

Hands-On Personal Finance: Lessons and Resources LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Room 8 - Barranca B

Personal finance lessons don’t have to be just pen and paper! In this session, we will cover key personal financial literacy concepts—including saving, budgeting, credit, and debt—through interactive activities that are classroom-ready and make learning these topics accessible to everyone. Leveraging some of the Federal Reserve System’s most popular resources, you will leave with the tools to make financial literacy fun.

Presenters

Elisa Morales

Outreach Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Elisa is responsible for outreach activities in West Texas and Southern New Mexico, and for helping the Dallas Fed build a robust understanding of the U.S./Mexico economic relationship. Elisa is also responsible for promoting economic education and personal financial literacy.Early... Read More →

Lesley Mace

Senior Outreach Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Birmingham Branch

Lesley Mace is a Senior Outreach Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Birmingham Branch. Prior to joining the Fed in 2010, she was an Instructor of Economics and Director of the Center for Economic Education at Auburn University Montgomery and a high school economics... Read More →

Liz Tran

Public Affairs Specialist, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Liz Tran is the Public Affairs Specialist at the Denver Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. In this role, she develops and implements public outreach programs as well as supports internal and external communications.Previously, Liz worked in the energy and water science... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Room 8 - Barranca B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

3:30pm MDT

How Biliteracy Trajectories Support the Student Journey in the Era of Science of Reading LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Room 5 - Mesa A

It's widely accepted that the journey for emergent bilinguals learning to read in two languages is different than learning to read in a single, familiar language. And yet, despite an awareness that these students are not two monolinguals in one, state-of-the-art assessment for students in dual language programs has been limited to a ‘parallel assessment’ where students are frequently measured in English and Spanish and then compared to monolingual speakers of each language. In this interactive session, attendees will explore the benefit of assessing biliteracy when both the uniqueness of and interaction of the two languages are considered.

Presenters

Dr. Carol Johnson

International Education Officer, Renaissance Learning

Carol Johnson is a bilingual educator and International Education Officer at Renaissance. She holds a PhD in Second Language Acquisition & Teaching, specializing in Applied Psycholinguistics—how people learn second languages.Her years spent teaching English as a second language... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Room 5 - Mesa A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

3:30pm MDT

Motivating the Struggling Adolescent Reader LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Room 3 - Vista A

It is not surprising that many struggling adolescent readers are burdened with low levels of motivation in classroom settings. The good news is that successful comprehensive reading interventions can help improve student motivation and reading by applying structured literacy and positive classroom management principles simultaneously. In this session, participants will learn the key components for keeping a structured literacy program motivating for older students.

Presenters

Dr. Frank Smith

Effective Instructional Delivery, Educational Consultant

Dr. Frank Smith serves as an educational consultant in area of effective instructional delivery.He regularly works with teachers and site administrators as a national consultant and supportsnumerous districts in the United States. Prior to these positions, Frank was a regular educationteacher... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Room 3 - Vista A 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

3:30pm MDT

Strategies for Teaching Phonology and Morphology to Upper-Grade Students LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Room 2 - Caldera

With over a third of upper-grade students reading below grade level, it’s crucial for teachers to integrate foundational skills with grade-level vocabulary by teaching phonology and morphology together. This approach can help struggling students catch up more quickly, improving both their vocabulary and reading comprehension. This course will demonstrate these strategies and invite participants to engage in small group practice and turn-and-talks.

Presenters

Laura Sabido

Director of Instruction, Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE)

Laura Sabido IMSE Director of Instruction Level 5 Master Instructor Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Laura brings 25 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, administrator, and IMSE Orton-Gillingham Level 5 Master Instructor. She currently serves as the Director... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Room 2 - Caldera 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

3:30pm MDT

Understanding and Navigating the Implementation of High-Quality Instructional Materials LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Room 6 - Mesa B

Presenters

Shafiq Chaudhary

Math & Science Bureau Director, NMPED Math and Science Bureau

Shafiq Chaudhary is the Director of Math and Science on the Teaching, Learning and Assessment team at the New Mexico Public Education Department, managing multiple initiatives to support the implementation of mathematics and science standards K–12, computer science K–8 and outdoor... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Room 6 - Mesa B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

3:30pm MDT

“Comprehension is not a thing”: debunking myths about reading comprehension LIMITED

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT

Room 4 - Vista B

Comprehension is often overemphasized as a skill that can be both isolated and taught. Instead, comprehension is the goal of our reading instruction. Effective comprehension instruction supports the goal of ensuring students understand any text they read. Providing effective comprehension instruction requires changing our mindset around what comprehension is, why it is both a skill and an outcome, and how to support students in building their understanding of text.

In this session, Student Achievement Partners will review key research that outlines what comprehension is, why comprehension instruction is most effective in the context of complex text, and how we can change practices to ensure every student has the support needed to comprehend any text.

Presenters

Katie Keown

Director, Literacy, Student Achievement Partners

Katie serves as a Literary Director at Student Achievement Partners, a nonprofit focused on improving student outcomes by ensuring all children receive equitable and essential instruction. Her work focuses on our secondary literacy initiatives, including teacher training and aligning... Read More →

Rahel Fesseha

Literacy Specialist, Student Achievement Partners

Over the last 12 years, Rahel has worked in school-based and nonprofit roles serving Black and multilingual communities in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Los Angeles. Her work as a teacher, instructional coach, research assistant, and school-based program manager shaped... Read More →

Thursday June 12, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm MDT
Room 4 - Vista B 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA

2025 Literacy Convening

From $0.00