For the third consecutive year, the 2021 National Literacy Summit will take place virtually Tuesday, November 9, 8:30 am until 7 pm. Presented by Achieve3000 and Successful Practices Network, this year’s National Literacy Summit will bring together more than 20 leading experts sharing research, strategies, and insights on the challenges of literacy today in K-12 schools. This popular professional development event for learning and networking has attracted more than 4,000 educators since the Summit was first held in 2019.

“This year’s Summit provides an opportunity to reexamine what we thought we knew about literacy through the lens of our experiences in 2020,” said Ray McNulty, President at Successful Practices Network. “Our school communities will continue to face difficult challenges in the days ahead, and this event is designed to provide them with the tools and strategies they need to meet them.”

Sessions will be delivered on a state-of-the-art virtual platform that promises to provide a robust experience for Summit participants. As always, this unique learning experience will include the ability for participants and presenters to interact via live polling, Q&A’s, and by direct chat. It is also an excellent opportunity to network with other educators and education professionals.

Recognized educational thought leaders and expert practitioners including Drs. Pedro Noguera, Doug Fisher, Gabi Bell, Anthony Muhammad and Bill Daggett will explore how to draw on the lessons learned in the 2020-21 school year to help shape the vision of tomorrow. Feature sessions include Coping, Adjusting, and Transforming in Disruptive Times, Overcoming the Achievement Gap Trap, The Science of Reading, Equity Focused Leadership, and many other critical literacy topics.

Featured Seasions

Creating Powerful School Cultures

Dr. Pedro Noguera -Best-selling author, education influencer, and dean of Rossier School of Education at University of Southern California. Dr. Pedro A. Noguera is a critically acclaimed scholar, a dynamic speaker and a committed activist. He is the author of several best-selling books. Recently Dr. Noguera was named the Dean of the Rossier School of Education at University of Southern California. His work focuses on a broad range of issues related to education, social justice, and public policy. 

“Dr. Noguera explores how to support and cultivate school cultures that promote learning and healthy social development among children. This session will describe strategies that have proven effective at supporting teaching and learning and transforming school cultures. We will examine the rituals and practices some schools have adopted to instill a common culture. Understanding what schools can do to engage teachers, students and parents to build foster understanding of the values and practices that contribute to better outcomes will be a central feature of our conversation. “

Equity-Focused Leadership: Challenging the Status Quo

Principal El- Noted author, speaker and Head of School at Thomas Edison Charter School in Wilmington, DE As the head of school at Thomas Edison Charter School in Wilmington, DE, a high-poverty K-8 school, Principal EL motivates graduates to excel and go on to attend the best high schools in Delaware. He is the highly praised author of I Choose to Stay and The Immortality of Influence. Dr. Thomas-EL has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Award.

Principal EL believes that equity-focused leaders take risks, make courageous decisions, and challenge the status quo. Innovative leaders who make diversity, equity and inclusion a priority, develop and create equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of race or income level. Dr. Salome Thomas-EL, an award-winning teacher and principal, and internationally recognized educator believes schools and districts must create a 21st century curriculum focused on critical thinking and problem solving, along with the development of social-emotional skills that enable positive relationships and connections in school. In his thought-provoking presentation, Principal EL will share how we can make improving the education we provide for students of color, low-income students, and English Language learners, a top priority. In his keynote address, Dr. EL brings a powerful combination of passion, caring, and leadership to craft a refreshing, common-sense roadmap to help teachers and administrators view their schools through an equity lens and help kids achieve their dreams, no matter the odds.

The Science of Reading: From a Vision to Outcomes

Dr. Gabi Bell – Dr. Gabi Bell is a passionate advocate for early childhood reading for socially, culturally and economically diverse students. She is the Director of Instruction for Literacy, Biliteracy, Humanities, Social Studies, World Languages and the Arts at the Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison, WI. Her research centers on the Science of Reading in multilinguistic instructional settings with adolescent learners. Some of her publications leveraging education and race are Facts and Challenges Facing Bilingual Intercultural Education and Interculturalism: A Case Study of Afro-Costa Ricans (2020) and Education as a vehicle for social transformation: Paulo Freire’s pedagogy (2017).

For decades, researchers have been observing instructional practices, gathering data, and analyzing student outcomes to provide insight on best practices and methods for reaching students at all levels. Yet, student academic achievement is below our collective expectations. What can we learn from science to ensure all of our students perform at grade level? In this session, Dr. Gabi Bell Jimenez discusses the Science of Reading. How can we use the Science of Reading to ensure students thrive, and to inspire us and amplify student outcomes.

Rebound: Recovering Literacy Learning

Dr. Doug Fisher -Teacher, prolific author, and nationally recognized speaker, Dr. Fisher is know for his work in reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design. Dr. Fisher is Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College having been an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is the recipient of an International Reading Association William S. Grey citation of merit, an Exemplary Leader award from the Conference on English Leadership of NCTE, as well as a Christa McAuliffe award for excellence in teacher education. 

To Register

National Literacy Summit attendees will have access to their choice of 19 one-hour live sessions on November 9th. In addition, all registrants may access all sessions, on-demand, for up to one year following the event. Participants may earn up to 19 CE certificates. The cost to participate is $99. Register today.