We invite you to join us for one of our most impactful events of the year!
Unlocking Literacy 2026
This annual event equips attendees with cutting-edge research, practical strategies, and tools to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed in reading and beyond.
Unlocking Literacy is more than a conference—it’s a commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader.
Held on July 28, 2026, this event brings together educators, leaders, and advocates from across our community to invest in the future of literacy. Together, we are strengthening the teaching, tools, and systems needed to support students especially those with dyslexia, through evidence-based instruction grounded in the Science of Reading.
Join us for an inspiring day of learning, connection, and action at Unlocking Literacy 2026. This conference features four focused tracks: Birth–5, K–5, 6–12, and Leadership, designed to meet participants where they are and provide practical strategies that can be applied immediately in classrooms, schools, and communities.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in meaningful sessions, hear from leading experts in literacy, and connect with others who share a commitment to improving reading outcomes for all students.
Your contribution helps underwrite the cost of our Unlocking Literacy Conference, creating an inspirational education experience for educators around the science of reading.
SAVE THE DATE!
JULY 28, 2026
Keynote Speakers:
Kymyona Burk, Ed.D.
Senior Policy Fellow, Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd)
Lindsey Brown
Vice Chancellor for Literacy Achievement
Amy Siracusano, M.S.Ed.
Literacy Consulting at Know Better Do Better Literacy
Brooke Solz, Ed.D.
Assistant in Research at Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State University
Caridad Aday
Curriculum Support Specialist, MDCPS
Carmen Conner
Principal at Leon County Schools
E. Judith Cohen, Ed.D.
Former Director of Clinical Experiences at FIU and a literacy educator with over 20 years of experience
Jennifer Dombek, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate at Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State University
Kristy Rios
Instructional Specialist at The Lucy Project
Kristi Cheyney-Collante, Ph.D.
Research Scientist and Director of Early Childhood & Literacy at the UF Lastinger Center
Ana Gonzalez
VPK Regional Facilitator, FLDOE
Donna Depriest
Curriculum Support Specialist, MDCPS
Michael Hunter, M.Ed.
Founding Partner at Readsters
Tracy L. Weeden, Ed.D.
Founder of Upstream Education for All Inc.
Cecilia Windisch
Curriculum Support Specialist, MDCPS
Ivette Padon-Rojas
Kindergarten Teacher, MDCPS
Shannette Philips
Kindergarten Teacher at Norwood Elementary School
More speakers will be announced soon. Stay tuned for more updates!
Jocelyn Nerey
Curriculum Support Specialist, MDCPS
Karla Sotelo-Blanco
VPK Regional Facilitator, FLDOE
Speakers:
Natalia Romero
Curriculum Support Specialist, MDCPS
Nicole Abreu
Director of Community Outreach
Tracks:
Birth–5: Early Literacy FoundationsExplore research-based strategies to build oral language, emergent literacy, and foundational reading skills in young children. Sessions highlight meaningful play, strong adult-child interactions, and structured instruction in diverse settings. Who should attend: Early childhood educators, caregivers, and leaders working with young children during critical years of development. |
K–5: Structured Literacy for All StudentsFocus on instructional practices grounded in the Science of Reading. From foundational skills to comprehension, learn how structured literacy builds strong readers across diverse classroom settings. Who should attend: K–5 educators, instructional coaches, and support staff seeking to deepen evidence-based reading instruction. |
6–12: Adolescent Literacy Across the DisciplinesLearn how to support middle and high school students with decoding gaps, vocabulary development, and complex texts across content areas. Who should attend: Secondary educators, literacy specialists, and those supporting adolescent learners across subjects. |
Leadership: Systems & Strategy for Literacy ChangeExplore effective literacy leadership, including strategic planning, coaching systems, data use, and schoolwide implementation for long-term impact. Who should attend: School leaders, district administrators, nonprofit leaders, and decision makers driving literacy outcomes. |
Announcement & Recognition
Presenting Sponsor
Dedicated social media post
Feature in our newsletter
Name/logo recognition at the Grand Librarians level on event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Two tables of ten to the Unlocking Literacy Conference with preferred seating
5 tickets to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Grand Librarian member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Grand Librarian Circle level
Announcement & Recognition
Dedicated social media post
Feature in our newsletter
Name/logo recognition at the Literary Luminaries level on event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Fifteen seats at the Unlocking Literacy Conference
4 tickets to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Literary Luminaries member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Literary Luminaries Circle level
Announcement & Recognition
Name/logo recognition at Legacy Authors level on all event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Table of ten at the Unlocking Literacy Conference
3 tickets to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Legacy Authors member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Legacy Authors Circle level
Announcement & Recognition
Name/logo recognition at the Narrative Nurturers level on all event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Table of ten at the Unlocking Literacy Conference
2 tickets to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Narrative Nurturers member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Narrative Nurturers Circle level
Announcement & Recognition
Name/logo recognition at the Story Starters level on all event materials
Name/logo recognition on newsletters, website, print, and organizational collateral (e.g. annual report) at giving level throughout the year
Event Access
Five seats at the Unlocking Literacy Conference
1 ticket to Literacy Key Awards, an exclusive dinner the evening before the conference
Vendor table at Unlocking Literacy Conference
If you are unable to attend or do not have guests to invite, your tickets will be gifted to or used to sponsor public school teachers.
Year-Round Lucy Leadership Circle Benefits
Year-round recognition as a Story Starters member
VIP access to year-round events such as the Lucy Leadership Forum, Inclusive Literacy Resource Fair and community movie screenings
Includes all benefits of the Story Starters Circle level
The Lucy Leadership Circle
Literary Luminaries
Donors gifting $25,000 - $49,999
Brought to you by:
Legacy Authors
Donors gifting $10,000 - $24,999
Narrative Nurturers
Donors gifting $5,000 - $9,999
Story Starters
Donors gifting $2,500 - $4,999
Why Attend?
Gain insights from top experts from Stanford, Yale, and other leader institutions
Discover the latest research and practical, curriculum-agnostic strategies in literacy education
Network with fellow educators and literacy professionals
Unlocking Literacy Conference 2025 Highlights
