Key Takeaways from Lexia’s LETRS Applied Inaugural Conference
Introduction
Jessica Farmer (from @farmerlovesphonics) and I (@michelle_thecolorfulclassroom) are joining forces to bring you today’s blog post, sharing all about our recent experience at Lexia’s LETRS Applied inaugural conference! We had the privilege of documenting the conference through our eyes, sharing an insider’s view into all of the happenings!
We took Chicago, IL by storm from July 17th-19th, 2024 with other movers, shakers, and change-makers in the Science of Reading community to learn, collaborate, and network. So, we invite you to read on to see what the very first ever LETRS Applied conference was all about! The overarching theme of this conference was: transforming literacy instruction. It was all about digging into the data and applying the knowledge learned through LETRS to make impactful decisions.
Keynote Highlights
The conference kicked off with Nick Gaehde (President of Lexia and Voyager Sopris) sharing some impactful numbers. He stated that over 250,000 educators are currently working through LETRS.
Ashley Zantop (Chief Executive Officer of Cambium Learning Group) spoke about leadership and what it takes to be a good leader in education. She explained that good leaders
- (1) do the work that’s necessary,
- (2) learn from their successes and mistakes,
- (3) build community,
- (4) lead by example, and
- (5) go first to lead the way.
We then heard an inspirational keynote by Dr. Kymyona Burk, who previously served with the Mississippi Department of Education. Dr. Burk highlighted the importance of policies that promote evidenced-based reading instruction for grades kindergarten to third grade. This presentation set the tone for the entire conference!
She shared the incredible story of how Mississippi’s growth in reading was not a miracle as it is often referred to—it was the result of dedication and hard work following a science of reading approach to literacy instruction because,
“Belief systems don’t cut it!” -Dr. Kymona Burk.
Last, but certainly not least, we heard from Dr. Louisa Moats via video. Dr. Moats emphasized that many educators are not fully prepared to teach reading in an explicit and systematic way. This reinforced the importance of LETRS for everyone because it equips teachers with the information they need to make the best instructional decisions.
Breakout Sessions and Workshops
The next part of the conference gave attendees the chance to choose different breakout rooms that were organized by grade levels bands.
- Pre-K -K
- Grades 1-2
- Grades 3+
- Admin
We delved deep into data analysis within the core aspects of phonology, spelling, writing, oral language, and reading comprehension by discussing student data. It was helpful to have these “data chat” discussions with educators from across the country, as it allowed all of us to compare and contrast our experiences with data meetings, gaining a better understanding of new viewpoints and providing us with different perspectives in instructional decision making.
Networking and Community Building
This conference was not just a place for learning; it was a center for networking and community building. We had the opportunity to collaborate with fellow educators and discuss the impact that LETRS has had on our lives. It was remarkable to have the chance to engage with such a diverse group, including classroom teachers, reading coaches, paraprofessionals, literacy advocates, school administrators, and even the authors of LETRS!
Together, we felt this sense of community and support. Everyone was excited to share ideas, offer advice, and provide encouragement. You could feel the energy in the room when we all came together in the ballroom each day! This sense of solidarity strengthened the fact that 🎤we’re all in this together🎤, working towards that same goal of improving literacy in every school across the nation.
Anniversary Celebrations
The LETRS Applied inaugural conference was also marked with some other significant milestones: 40 Years of Lexia & 30 Years of LETRS!
So, the conference wasn’t ALL business (it is summer break, after all). Attendees had the chance to come together and have a little fun at a very special (and beautiful) anniversary celebration! It was the perfect opportunity to let loose, sing, dance, and celebrate the milestones of Lexia and LETRS!
Reflection: What does LETRS mean to you?
Attending the LETRS Applied! By Lexia Conference was such an incredible honor for us, and sharing the experience through social media has been a joy! We would like to take a moment to thank the entire Lexia and LETRS team for putting together a truly amazing event. Every detail was meticulously crafted with the attendees in mind, creating an environment that celebrated educators with the utmost respect.
As teachers, we often do not receive the recognition we deserve, and our jobs can feel thankless at times. However, Lexia and LETRS understands just how important this role is and the immense responsibility we carry as we shape the future generations. We hope this event made you feel inspired, supported, energized and prepared for the upcoming school year!
We would love to read about your experience and insights from the conference if you were an attendee.
- What inspired you?
- What information are you taking back to your local schools?
- What impact has LETRS had on you as an educator? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!