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Conference Agenda
EXHIBIT & SPONSOR REGISTRATION
Downloadable Registration Form
Location: Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center, 7 Hope Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77554
Nightly room rate: $171 single/double
(Rooms are discounted to the state rate with school documentation.)
A limited number of rooms are available at the group rate.
Reserve your sleeping room as soon as possible to ensure availability!
CONFERENCE KEYNOTES
KATE ROBERTS - Friday Workshop
Kate is a national literacy consultant, top-selling author, and popular keynote speaker. She taught reading and writing in Brooklyn, NY and worked as a literacy coach before transitioning into supporting teachers full-time as a national literacy consultant. In 2005, Kate's latest book, A Novel Approach, asks how we can teach whole class novels while still holding onto student-centered practices like independent reading and peer-centered book groups. She is also the co-author of Falling in Love with Close Reading (with Christopher Lehman) and DIY Literacy (with Maggie Beattie Roberts). Her work with students across the country has led to her belief that all kids can be insightful, academic thinkers when the work is demystified, broken down, and made engaging. To this end, Kate has worked nationally and internationally to help teachers, schools, and districts develop and implement strong teaching practices and curricula.
MAGGIE ROBERTS - Friday Workshop
Maggie Beattie Roberts began her teaching career in the heart of Chicago, and then pursued graduate studies as a Literacy Specialist at Columbia University in New York City. Maggie is a national literacy consultant, author and popular on-site professional learning facilitator. She is known for the strong relationships she forms with teachers and school leaders, especially during in-school residences and partnerships. She is happiest when shoulder to shoulder with classroom teachers and school leaders during the school day, supporting and problem solving in real time. Maggie’s recent work includes analyzing literacy data with teachers to help them use the information in quick, clear, and impactful ways. She is pursuing post-baccalaureate professional certificates in learning differences and neurodiversity with a specialization in executive functioning from Landmark College, as well as learning from and connecting with other small business owners carving out their own path. She is co-author of the book, DIY Literacy: Teaching Tools for Differentiation, Rigor, and Independence (with Kate Roberts).
VASHTI HARRISON - Friday Luncheon Keynote
Vashti Harrison is a celebrated writer, illustrator, and filmmaker. Winner of the 2024 Caldecott Medal for her picture book BIG, she is the first Black woman to ever receive this esteemed award in its 85-year history. A powerful and emotional tale of self-love and instant New York Times bestseller, BIG was also selected for Coretta Scott King Honors in both writing and illustration. Harrison is the creator of Little Leaders, Little Dreamers, and Little Legends, the #1 New York Times bestselling children’s collection of biographies about trailblazing women and exceptional men in black history.
Harrison’s artistic talent shines through in the numerous and notable collaborations she has illustrated, including Andrea Beaty’s I Love You Like Yellow, Matthew Cherry’s Hair Love, and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s Hello, Star. Harrison’s dedication and talent have been recognized with prestigious accolades, including a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Lupita Nyong’o’s Sulwe, as well as two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Literary Work for Children. She is frequently profiled by national media outlets and is a popular speaker at schools, libraries, conferences, museums, and book festivals as well as educator and parent organizations.
News articles and CBS interview available here: https://www.hachettespeakersbureau.com/landing-page/hachette-speakers-bureau-speaker-page-vashti-harrison/
KIM GROSHEK - Friday General Session
Kim is the "Pause Lady," Chief "Pause" Executive, and Dynamic Habits elite business strategist is all about helping people pause to be dynamic. Her role as a mental health coach and elite business strategist, guides others to incorporate intentional pauses into their lives for enhanced productivity and well-being.
ERIN ENTRADA KELLY - Saturday General Session
Erin Entrada Kelly received the 2018 Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe, a 2021 Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, and the 2017 APALA Award for The Land of Forgotten Girls, among other honors. She is a New York Times bestseller whose work has been translated into many languages. Erin has a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies and liberal arts from McNeese State University and an MFA from Rosemont College. She teaches in the MFAC program at Hamline University and lives in Delaware.
GERRY BROOKS - Saturday Luncheon Keynote
Gerry Brooks has been an educator for 20 years, beginning as a third-grade teacher in Palm Bay, FL. He earned his master’s in administration and has been an elementary principal for 12 years. Originally using humorous videos to encourage his staff, Gerry has become a national encourager for teachers through social media and speaking events. He is a voice for teachers, but his passion is leading others to be responsible for their own personal climate and culture in the workplace.
His book, “Go See the Principal,” outlines strategies for taking on this responsibility. Gerry and his wife, Kelly, have 3 adult children and live in Lexington, KY.
PRITEN SHAH - Sunday Workshop
Priten Shah is an education entrepreneur and the author of AI & The Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Jossey-Bass, 2023). He is the founder of Pedagogy.Cloud, an educational consulting firm that supports educators in K-12 schools, higher education, and the nonprofit sector adapt to the increasing capabilities of AI.
Priten is also the founder of the civic-focused nonprofit United 4 Social Change. He has a B.A. in philosophy and an M.Ed. in education policy from Harvard University
SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES – Coming soon!
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