Early Literacy Learning Opportunities Logo
Register now

A Day Designed for Learning and Collaboration

A thoughtfully paced schedule that blends expert insight, practical discussion, and time to connect with peers across Massachusetts.

June 9, 2026

8:30 AM

8:30 AM — Registration & Breakfast

Register, enjoy a nourishing breakfast and build connections

  • Babson Executive Conference Center

9:00 AM

9:00 AM — Introduction & Keynote

Welcome & Introductions

Keynote: The Power of a Playful Mindset

Steve Gross

Keynote: Steve Gross, Chief Playmaker, Life is Good Playmaker Project

  • Mystic Room

10:15 AM

10:15 AM — Breakout Discussions

Breakout A

The Reading Brain: Neurobiology, Development, and Implications

Nadine Gaab

Nadine Gaab, Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Breakout Room B

Moving from Lesson Planning to Lesson Internalization

DESE logo

Woodly Pierre-Louis, Assistant Director Instructional Policy, MA DESE

Jeff Pera

Jeff Pera, Instructional Policy Specialist, MA DESE

Breakout C

Tips for Making the ELOF (Early Literacy Observation Form) Effective

Kata Solow

Kata Solow, Executive Director, Goyen Foundation

Breakout D

Topic TBD

Breakout E

Topic TBD

11:15 AM

11:15 AM — Breakout Discussions

Breakout Room A

The Revised Definition of Dyslexia: What It Means for Literacy Instruction

Charley Haynes

Charley Haynes, Professor Emeritus, MGH Institute of Health Professions

Breakout Room B

Evidence-based Strategies for Teaching Phonological Awareness

Dustin Halterman

Dustin Halterman, Graduate Program Chair & Literacy Professor, Fitchburg State University

Breakout C

PLC – Further Program Alignment

Michael Gentile

Michael Gentile, Lecturer & Program Coordinator, Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, UMass Amherst

Breakout D

Leadership PLC for Early Literacy Program Alignment

DESE logo

Lindsay Zorich, Assistant Director for Educator Preparation, DESE

Rebekah Louis

Rebekah Louis, Director/Asst. Professor, Graduate Teacher Education at Stonehill College

12:15 PM

12:15 PM — Lunch & Networking

  • Sorenson Commons Dining Room

1:00 PM

1:00 PM — Breakout Discussions

Breakout Room A

Culturally Sustaining Teaching and Early Literacy: Considering and Centering Identity, Joy, Representation, and Engagement in Early Childhood Classrooms

Raphael Rogers, Professor of Practice, Education, Clark University

Breakout Room B

Developmental Milestones in Oral Language Development

Tiffany Hogan

Professor & SAiL Literacy Lab Director, MGH IHP

Breakout C

Engaging with Complex Texts: Trends in Children’s Literature and Classroom Implications

Shelley Isaacson

Shelley Isaacson, Children's Literature Educator, Simmons University & Tufts University

Breakout D

Writing Instruction: Opportunities for Frequent and Sustained Writing Practice

Sarah Sayko

Sarah Sayko, Senior Research Associate, RMC & Associate Research Professor, BU

2:00 PM

2:00 PM — Closing Panel & Collaborative Wrap-Up

A final whole-group session featuring a closing panel, collaborative activities, and facilitated reflection to synthesize key takeaways and look ahead.

Panel – Strong Partnerships between EPPs and School Districts

Amy Hartley-Matteson

Amy Hartley-Matteson, Assistant Superintendent, Randolph Public Schools

Rachel Theodorou

Rachel Kramer Theodorou, Director of Teacher Education, Brandeis University

Waltham PS icon

Marianne Duffy, Director of Multilingual Programming, Waltham Public Schools

Laura Porter

Laura Porter, Director, Western Mass Literacy Collaborative & Adjunct Instructor, Elms

Laura Mendes

Laura Mendes, Director of Literacy, Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Springfield PS

Bev Bell

Bev Bell, Assistant Dean of Educator Preparation, UMass Amherst

Anne McKenzie

Anne McKenzie, Superintendent, Hadley Public Schools

  • Mystic Room

3:00 PM

Stay and Network

Connect with peers, speakers, and facilitators to continue conversations, share ideas, and build relationships.

  • Babson Executive Conference Center