Conference
NHTLLA/NHASCD IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR 2025-2026 CONFERENCE SERIES
All On-Site Conferences include A Light Continental Breakfast and Lunch, Free Parking
"K–8 Literacy Summit 2.0: Strengthening Reading and Writing for All Learners" September 29, 2025
Grappone Conference Center (Concord, NH)
Meet the Speakers
Liz Cannon is currently the Director of Curriculum and Accountability (K-12) in SAU 39, NH She was the recipient of the 2022-23 Christa McAuliffe Sabbatical During this time, she traveled throughout New Hampshire to support districts and educators in implementing evidence-based literacy practices Liz is also the creator and owner of Literacy Leaders, NH, through which she provides literacy consulting assessment and tutoring, She has extensive training in structured literacy practices and is currently working toward her Ed D in Educational Leadership
Dr Katy Cortelyou worked for 20 years in Florida schools as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, reading interventionist and professional developer Katy earned her EdD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Central Florida Her research efforts focused on the role of teacher knowledge and the teaching of primary level at-risk readers She also holds National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist Katy is passionate about working alongside educators to deepen professional practices that inspire student learning
Dr Leslie Laud, supports schools nationally with strengthening their writing instruction She currently teaches writing in an after-school writing program and coaches in several large districts She holds a doctorate from Columbia University, and teaches there as well She has led large federally funded research studies, publishes empirical studies in peer-reviewed journals and presents frequently at national conferences She also continues to teach because that is where she finds her greatest joy She is also a newly avid gardener
Alexandra (Alex) Klove Stout is an experienced instructional leader committed to advancing equitable teaching practices and supporting educators in implementing evidence-based strategies that drive student success, particularly in linguistically diverse and inclusive classrooms With a strong foundation as a classroom teacher and literacy coach in urban districts serving high populations of multilingual learners, Alex brings deep instructional knowledge and a student-centered perspective to coaching and professional development She is skilled in differentiating instruction and providing targeted scaffolds for multilingual learners and students on education plans, ensuring equitable access to grade-level content This deep instructional expertise enables her to guide educators in utilizing High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), refining their practice, implementing strategies that drive student growth, and building inclusive classrooms with high expectations for all learners
Dr Stephanie Stollar is passionate about using MTSS as the framework for helping all students become skilled readers She’s the founder of the Reading Science Academy, an online community where over a thousand educators support each other to improve results in their schools Dr Stollar also advises the next generation of education policy leaders in her role as an assistant professor at Mount St Joseph University She served as a Vice President at Acadience Learning, provided training and consultation to hundreds of school districts, worked as an Assistant Professor of School Psychology, and as a School Psychologist Dr Stollar believes that by supporting all educators, high achievement is possible for every student
Registration Fee:
$325 - NHASCD/NHTLLA Member
$375 - Non-Member
Bring a Team: Every fifth registrant is FREE.
(All must register at the same time in order to get the discount.)
Early Bird Rates Until August 30th!
$299- NHASCD Member
$350 - Non-Member
https://cvent.me/5vR39d Register at
Breakout Sessions
There will be four breakout session for the day. Each is 75-minutes long. Pre-registration for the sessions is required
Beyond Foundational Frameworks: Building Resilient Readers with the Science of Learning with Katy Cortelyou- While established models of reading instruction provide invaluable frameworks for understanding the components of literacy development, the Science of Learning offers the essential conditions for turning skills into lasting reading proficiency This session will deepen understandings of principles of the science of learning and how they can be integrated with various evidence-based instructional approaches We'll explore practical ways to foster not just word recognition and comprehension, but also the meta-cognitive awareness and self-regulated learning critical for developing truly independent and adaptable readers
Curriculum Integration - Integrate ThinkSRSD into Your Core ELA Curriculum (K-4) with L. Laud - Familiarity with ThinkSRSD is recommended for this session, which will demonstrate how to incorporate its evidence-based practices into your instruction Participants will learn how to integrate these strategies across a sample instructional week or unit
Curriculum Integration - Integrate ThinkSRSD into Your Core ELA Curriculum (5-8) with L. Laud - Familiarity with ThinkSRSD is recommended for this session, which will demonstrate how to incorporate its evidence-based practices into your instruction Participants will learn how to integrate these strategies across a sample instructional week or unit
Disrupting the Downward Spiral: How Practice in Text Can Prevent and Support Struggling Readers with S Stollar - Researchers have indicated that lack of time practicing reading in text creates a bottleneck that sends students into a downward spiral of learning less content, acquiring less vocabulary, and spending less time reading text The downward spiral can be disrupted or even prevented through the use of practice toward the goal of fluent text reading This session will support educators to use assessments to determine if students need more instruction or more practice Participants will learn ways to infuse additional practice throughout the school day
Elevating Comprehension: Vocabulary, Sentences, and Knowledge at Work with L Cannon - In the session educators will explore how strong comprehension instruction is built on more than just asking questions about a text it requires teaching students how language works Grounded in research, this session emphasizes the critical role of sentence structure, syntax, vocabulary, and knowledge building in helping students derive meaning from increasingly complex texts Participants will learn how to explicitly teach the components of language that support comprehension, while also building students’ background knowledge through purposeful text selection and content integration With text placed at the center of instruction, this session will provide practical strategies for designing lessons that help students not only understand what they read but also think deeply about it. Educators will leave with tools to scaffold comprehension in ways that are systematic, engaging, and aligned with how the brain learns to make meaning from print
Fidelity with Integrity: A Team-Based Approach to HQIM Implementation with Alex Klove Stout - The selection of high-quality instructional material (HQIM) is one of the most impactful decisions a district can make, but the process can be overwhelming Educators who know their students best are being asked to make judicious choices while being immersed in new and plentiful program materials How do you as an educator make sense of it all? This session seeks to present a supportive model for this transition where educators are empowered in achieving “fidelity with integrity,” aligning structures and supports through a team-based approach Participants will be offered implementation structures and activities, applicable to any HQIM that they can use in their team planning and daily instruction
From Research to Reality: Practical Approaches for Cultivating Writers with Katy Cortelyou - This session explores how to effectively teach writing, blending current research with practical classroom strategies You'll discover how to build a supportive writing community and equip students with essential communication and critical thinking skills Leave with concrete lesson ideas and resources to immediately apply in your classroom.
From Sounds to Sight: Building Automatic Word Recognition for Our Youngest Students with Liz Cannon - This session, is designed to deepen educators’ understanding of how young children learn to recognize words automatically through the process of orthographic mapping The session will explore the cognitive mechanisms that enable students to associate sounds with letters and store words for fluent retrieval Participants will learn practical strategies to support word-level reading instruction across kindergarten through second grade Educators will leave with a clear understanding of how to integrate phoneme-grapheme mapping routines into their daily literacy practices and how to assess and support students at varying levels of reading development
Breakout Sessions
There will be four breakout session for the day. Each is 75-minutes long. Pre-registration for the sessions is required
From Sounds to Sight: Building Automatic Word Recognition for Older Students with Liz Cannon - This session, is designed to help upper elementary educators deepen their understanding of orthographic mapping and its critical role in supporting fluent reading and vocabulary development While students in grades 3–5 are expected to read to learn, many still struggle with automatic word recognition, often due to gaps in foundational skills This session will explore how orthographic mapping continues to support reading growth beyond the early elementary years. Additionally, instruction in multisyllabic words, morphology, and academic vocabulary will be explored as essential components of upper elementary level instruction Participants will engage in practical, hands-on strategies that integrate decoding, spelling, and meaning-based instruction to support the development of fluent, confident readers By the end of the workshop, teachers will have tools to identify student needs, plan targeted instruction, and foster the automatic word recognition necessary for comprehension and content learning
Introduction to thinkSRSD (K-2) with L. Laud - Discover easy-to-implement, enjoyable and evidence-based ways to re-invigorate how you teach writing Learn pre-writing strategies that help students make deeper meanings of texts Support your writers as they can generate fresh insights when they write about these Teach scaffolds and structures for navigating the full writing process from planning to revision, and in ways to build knowledge about the world, and student voice Help your students become more strategic, empowered, independent and goaloriented writers, and thinkers
Introduction to thinkSRSD (3-8) with L. Laud - Discover easy-to-implement, enjoyable and evidence-based ways to re-invigorate how you teach writing. Learn pre-writing strategies that help students make deeper meanings of texts. Support your writers as they can generate fresh insights when they write about these Teach scaffolds and structures for navigating the full writing process from planning to revision, and in ways to build knowledge about the world, and student voice Help your students become more strategic, empowered, independent and goaloriented writers, and thinkers
MTSS for Reading Improvement with S. Stollar - MTSS provides a framework for implementing the science of reading This session will outline the MTSS model for reading improvement in elementary schools. Best practices will be shared for connecting screening and instruction, specifically using universal screening data for planning literacy improvement This session will focus on using explicit vocabulary instruction in all classrooms and the characteristics of effective targeted reading intervention
Tiered Instruction is Risk Reduction with S. Stollar - Many schools screen for reading difficulties, including dyslexia, but few use this data to assess and improve classroom instruction This session will explore how to effectively interpret screening results to inform teaching practices, enhance reading instruction, and support all learners Gain practical strategies to bridge the gap between assessment and instruction for better student outcomes
Write to Read, Read to Write: Building a Dynamic Reading Writing Connection with Alex Klove Stout Educators who teach elementary students will be able to: articulate what the current research says about writing instruction recognize the complexities of written composition and how to use that knowledge to scaffold writing as well as reading comprehension explain how writing enhances students’ understanding of reading Participants will leave this mini-course with modalities and structures to integrate these big ideas into their daily instruction through application activities such as: Quick Writes, Constructing Sentences, Sentence Combining, Because but so, Expanded Because but so , and Backward mapping texts to graphic organizers This is a 150 Minute Breakout Session (two consecutive Breakout Sessions)
Session 1
9:00 AM10:15 AM
Breakout Session Schedule
8:15 AM - 9:00 AM Registration, Light Breakfast, Network
Disrupting the Downward Spiral Beyond Foundational Frameworks: Building Resilient Readers with the Science of Learning
Introduction to thinkSRSD (K-2)
Session 2
10:25 AM11:40 AM
MTSS for Reading Improvement From Research to Reality: Practical Approaches for Cultivating Writers
Curriculum Integration (K-4)
Lunch
11:40 AM - 12:45 PM
Write to Read, Read to Write: Building a Reading Writing Connection (this presentation spans two consecutive breakout session blocks)
Elevating Comprehension: Vocabulary, Sentences, and Knowledge at Work
Session 3
12:45 PM2:00 PM Tiered Instruction is Risk Reduction Beyond Foundational Frameworks: Building Resilient Readers with the Science of Learning
2:10 PM - 3:25 PM Disrupting the Downward Spiral From Research to Reality: Practical Approaches for Cultivating Writers
Session 4
Introduction to thinkSRSD (3-8)
Write to Read, Read to Write: Building a Dynamic Reading Writing Connection (this is the continuation of session 1.
From Sounds to Sight: Advancing Automatic Word Recognition for Older Students
Curriculum Integration (5-8)
Fidelity with Integrity: A Team Based Approach to HQIM (High Quality
Instructional Materials) Implementation
Fidelity with Integrity: A Team Based Approach to HQIM (High Quality Instructional Materials) Implementation
Elevating Comprehension: Vocabulary, Sentences, and Knowledge at Work
From Sounds to Sight: Building Automatic Word Recognition for Our Youngest Students
S. Stollar K. Cortelyou L. Laud A. Klove Stout L. Cannon
Starting October 8, 2025
Empowering Future-Ready Planning Through Educator Practice: A Five-Part Professional Learning Series
Unlock the power of future-ready learning with this dynamic, five-part professional development series designed for grades 6–12 educators. Empowering Future-Ready Learners Through Educator Practice immerses participants in hands-on, student-centered strategies that model what engaging, future-focused learning truly looks, sounds, and feels like.
Grounded in the belief that educators must first experience the kind of inspiring, iterative, and hope-driven learning we want for students, each session offers practical tools and meaningful experiences that educators can immediately bring back to your students. Join us to explore how empowered teaching leads to empowered learners ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world
The full series builds on five powerful levers: strategic foresight, well-being, career-connected learning, AIenhanced navigation, and social capital development.
NHASCD Member - $450
Non-Member - $500
Bring a Team to the Conference: Every fifth registrant is FREE (All must register at the same time in order to get the discount.)
Register Now
Series Highlights
October 8, 2025 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM), Salon C, Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH
Development of Strategic Foresight & Project Management Skills - Participants will engage in hands-on exploration of strategic foresight frameworks and Agile Scrum using Legos to simulate realworld project management. A scenario-based activity inspired by The Matrix helps educators understand how to empower students to adapt, plan, and build iterative future-ready strategies.
November 10, 2025 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM), Salon C, Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH
Attending to Well-being Through Social Bridging -This session explores Dr. Christina Bethell’s research on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and ThoughtBox Education’s model of Self-Care, Community Care, and Earth Care. Educators will reflect on how to foster resilience, reduce anxiety, and build strong, connected classroom environments This delves into what a true transition means toward self directed independent young people,
Virtual
3 half-day virtual sessions Dates will be determined at the in-person sessions
Career-Connected Exploration for Grades 6–12 - Educators will learn how to embed career exploration in everyday instruction, making learning more relevant. The session highlights community engaged learning, real-world applications, and partnerships that help students explore careers aligned to their interests and local opportunities
AI-Driven Career Navigation -This session introduces AI platforms that allow students to receive personalized career suggestions based on their strengths, values, and interests. Educators will explore how to support students in using these tools to chart meaningful, self-directed pathways.
Strategic LinkedIn Profile Development - This is not your typical LinkedIn profile development Educators will learn how to guide students in building strategic, story-driven LinkedIn profiles that reflect who they are becoming - not just what they've done. Topics include building social capital through network development, storytelling, endorsements and professional visibility. It starts in middle school and leads towrd transitioning to LinkedIn at the high school level
October 22, 2025
Equipped to Care: A Mental Health Symposium for Resources, Strategies and Support
Keynote: Judge John Broderick
Lakes Region Community College
Registration Link: bit.ly/3Fk0zm2 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Registration Fee
Member: $75
Non-Member: $95
Hon John T Broderick spent 22 years as a trial lawyer and 15 as a judge, including six as chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Upon leaving the bench, he became dean and president of the University of New Hampshire Law School, then launched the Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership and Public Policy at the school.
Mark Belanger is a member of the NH Behavioral Health Workforce Center team at Dartmouth Health Mark’s work focuses on the collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, education institutions, and employers to prepare our communities to meet today’s challenges.
Scott Laliberte is a lifelong educator and a retired school leader, currently working as a leadership consultant and author. His book, The School Leader’s Game Plan: Strategies for Maximizing Your Capacity to Tackle Daily Challenges (Strengthening School Leaders for Lasting Impact), was published this March. He develops programming to support leaders in prioritizing their personal wellness and capacity
Keynote:
State of the State of Behavioral Healthcare in New Hampshire: This breakout session will provide an overview of the current state of behavioral healthcare in NH, the new challenges the state is facing, and the current and needed response by leaders in state government, healthcare provider organizations, education institutions, law enforcement, schools, and community partners
How to develop a personalized and authentic wellness plan: In this workshop, participants will apply the concepts of competency-based learning to establish broader and more authentic wellness goals. Participants need not be school leaders to benefit from this program
Jeff Levin is a life coach who specializes in working with teens and adults (20-somethings, parents, coaches, teachers, employers, etc ) Jeff is passionate about his work with young people to reclaim them intangible emotional skills we older folks learned by osmosis.
Reconnecting with Self, Family, Work & Purpose:
Participants will learn how to create enclaves of connection and community at home and work by showing how to help people feel calm, connected, and confident by teaching them emotional skills to reduce stress and anxiety By connecting the dots with respect to the global, rapid changes in our culture
Katie Pagnotta is a former school counselor and current mental health therapist and consultant who believes that all people deserve to learn and work in environments that are designed with their well-being as a priority. Determined to empower others, Katie has created accessible resources and tools to bring more joy, connection, and growth into schools and businesses through her BBARS of Excellence framework, her book, Empowered by the Human Design, and her course, Parenting Made Easier
Using Neuroscience to Promote Mental Health:
Participants will learn how to support well-being and mental health through a neuroscienceinformed approach With this understanding, we can increase our own self-awareness and selfmanagement and become primed to foster and lead workplaces that prioritize well-being, which in turn, leads to better mental health and increased learning and productivity Free resources related to Mental Health Literacy will also be shared.
Featured Speakers
Partnership for Public Health Team
Joshua Ritson currently serves as the Prevention Strategies Manager for the Winnipesaukee Rural Public Health Network He is also actively involved with the Community Advisory Program at New Hampshire Public Radio and serves as the Chairman of the Gilford Budget Committee In 2024, he was honored with the Adrien Stevens Award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the community.r
Dr. Daisy Pierce has her PhD in Educational Psychology & Learning Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is a founding member of Navigating Recovery of the Lakes Region who began as a community volunteer before being officially hired as Executive Director.
Corey Gately is a Master’s Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (MLADC) She is also a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for the Department of Transportation She has been working in the field of human services for 25 years Her work in the field includes substance abuse counseling, as well as emergency room social work. She also provided crisis intervention services, as well as long term individual counseling for people with substance abuse disorders and co-occurring disorders.
Peer Support Training Program Team
Dr. Eileen Glover holds board certifications as a psychiatric nurse and Nurse Executive She has over 15 years of management, nursing education, coaching and mentoring, and executive leadership experience. Dr. Glover has worked as an adjunct clinical faculty for schools of nursing in Vermont and New Hampshire and has experience supporting emerging nurse professionals in their academic journey. She is a graduate of River Valley Community College, obtained her master's degree in nursing education in 2014, and completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership in August of 2018.
Celyne Godbout has dedicated many years to the field of human services, beginning as a nurse’s aide and gradually transitioning into community mental health. Starting as a case manager, Celyne worked in various roles in the mental health system, learning the current systems and barriers Today, Celyne oversees adult protective services workers for the State of New Hampshire, leading efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults across the state.
NAMI Panel
Behavioral Health and Substance Misuse: Attendees will understand the connection between behavioral health and substance use Panel members will discuss current initiatives, partnerships, and resources along the substance misuse continuum of care (prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery)
Peer Support Specialist Training Program: This presentation will provide an overview of the Peer Support Specialist training program made possible by a grant for the Department of Health and Human Services and a Partnership of DHHS, the Community College System of New Hampshire, and Dartmouth Health Participants will learn about this free program’s development and the role of Peer Support Recovery Services in NH. Participants will learn how the training equips peer specialists with professional credentials and ongoing support through a Community of Practice, facilitated by On the Road to Wellness, a leading Peer Support agency in New Hampshire. By understanding this structured approach, the audience can recognize peer support as a credible and valuable resource within the broader mental health system
Health and Substance Misuse: Attendees will understand the connection between behavioral health and substance use Panel members will discuss current initiatives, partnerships, and resources along the substance misuse continuum of care (prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery).
Stories: Power, Hope, and Healing
When individuals share their personal mental health journeys, the impact is powerful. It changes attitudes, assumptions, and ideas about people with mental health conditions This workshop will feature a panel of NAMI New Hampshire (National Alliance on Mental Illness) In Our Own Voice presenters who will provide a personal perspective of their mental health condition, their journey to recovery, and the hope they can provide by sharing their story
10:00 - 11:00
Session 1
11:15-12:15
Session 2
Using Neuroscience to Promote Mental Health
K Pagnotta
Using Neuroscience to Promote Mental Health
K Pagnotta
9:00 - 9:45
Keynote
Hon John T Broderick
Peer Support Specialist Training Program Overview
Dr Eileen Glover and Celyne Godbout
State of the State of Behavioral Healthcare in New Hampshire
Mark Belanger
How to Develop a Personalized and Authentic Wellness Plan
Scott Laliberte
How to Develop a Personalized and Authentic Wellness Plan
Scott Laliberte
Reconnecting with Self, Family, Work & Purpose
Jeff Levin
Behavioral Health and Substance Misuse Partnership for Public Health
1:15 - 2:15
Session 3
12:15 - 1:00 Lunch
Book Signing with S Laliberte & K Pagnotta
Peer Support Specialist Training Program Overview
Dr Eileen Glover and Celyne Godbout
State of the State of Behavioral Healthcare in New Hampshire
Mark Belanger Behavioral Health and Substance Misuse Partnership for Public Health
2:30 -3:30
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Panel Stories: Power, Hope and Healing
Reconnecting with Self, Family, Work & Purpose
Jeff Levin
In this webinar, Daniel Moulis, Superintendent of the Hudson School District, and Michael Whaland, Superintendent of SAU 13 (serving the towns of Freedom, Madison, and Tamworth), will share insights from their recent research and professional experience on educator retention. Drawing on studies conducted through Plymouth State University, they explore why teachers and school leaders choose to stay in or leave their positions, highlighting the importance of leadership support, job satisfaction, and community connection.
The discussion will address the persistent challenges of retention across both rural and urban districts. Moulis and Whaland will examine how factors such as strong administrative support and a sense of place within the school community can influence educator commitment, even when working conditions or compensation are less than ideal. Their findings emphasize that when educators experience meaningful work, professional autonomy, and supportive leadership, they are more likely to remain in their roles over the long term.
Additionally, the webinar will offer actionable strategies for districts to reduce attrition, including the development of mentorship programs, leadership pipelines, and community partnerships. By aligning retention efforts with the unique identity and values of each district, school systems can better support educators and strengthen overall stability. Whether in a rural or urban context, the key to reducing turnover lies in understanding what matters most to the people doing the work and building structures that honor and support those priorities.
April 13, 2026
Annual K-12 Conference Grappone Conference Center
SavetheDate!
Count Me IN: INvest in Student Learning, INstruction, INtervention, INtention, INsight
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Katie Novak
Join us for an inspiring, action-oriented in-person conference for K–12 educators who are committed to transforming teaching and learning.
Count Me IN brings together passionate teachers, instructional coaches, specialists, and school leaders to deepen their understanding and practice around:
INstructional practices that foster inclusive, rigorous, and student-centered classrooms & evidence-based strategies that promote engagement
INtervention approaches that meet diverse academic and social-emotional needs
INtentional planning to align vision, goals, and daily practice
INsight into what truly drives lasting impact for all learners
Renowned educator and author Katie Nowak will deliver an empowering keynote, sharing practical tools and insights that bridge theory and practice, helping educators create inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive. In addition to the keynote, participants will choose from multiple breakout sessions led by experienced educators and thought leaders, offering hands-on strategies and actionable takeaways to implement immediately.
Who Should Attend?
K–12 Teachers • Instructional Coaches • Specialists • School Leaders • Anyone committed to student success
Mark your calendar and plan to join us!= on April 13, 2026!
Together, we’ll build a future where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered.