Classrooms are full of potential, bursting with students who each bring their own strengths, ideas, and perspectives. This year’s Reaching All Learners Speaker Series, kicking off in January 2026, is designed to equip you with the tools you need to make the most of every student’s potential—celebrating diversity, sparking engagement, and discovering ways to make learning meaningful for every student. That’s why I’m so excited about this year’s Reaching All Learners Speaker Series. Our lineup is packed with fresh voices, cutting-edge ideas, and practical strategies you can put into action immediately.
Fresh Ideas for Your Classroom
This year’s speakers will challenge your thinking, inspire you, and offer new tools and ideas to make a lasting impact in your classroom. Topics this year include:
- Hip-Hop Pedagogy – Engage and affirm today’s students through the cultural and creative elements of hip-hop with Edmund Adjapong. He will walk us through a research-based teaching framework anchored in elements of hip-hop culture. Whether you are already a budding MC or you don’t know much about hip-hop, this session will help you connect with the joy and possibility of this powerful approach to teaching.
- Foster Agency and Purpose for Young Writers – Create classrooms where curiosity, exploration, and purpose drive authentic writing with Stella Villalba, co-author of Wondrous Words: Reimagining Writers and Writing in the Elementary Classroom with Katie Wood Ray. Deepen your understanding of craft moves and expand your repertoire of mentor texts to excite and engage every writer in your classroom.
- Indigenous Histories and Culture in the Classroom — Learn how to present Indigenous cultures and histories as living, ongoing, and relevant—not confined to the past—with renowned educator, author, and advocate Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason. Author of the acclaimed children’s book Grandmother Moon, Wunneanatsu will help you deepen your approach to instruction by centering Indigenous voices, rights, and present-day experiences. She will also share ways to create learning environments that genuinely honor Indigenous presence.
- Supporting Students who Struggle with Word Recognition– Examine a variety of ways to support students who struggle with word recognition with Heidi Mesmer. She will inspire you to strike the right balance—challenging students with complex texts while ensuring below-grade-level readers have empowering opportunities to read, engage, and recognize words on their own.
Learn From Anywhere—Even in Your Pajamas
This year, all speaker sessions are virtual and held in the evenings, from 7:00–8:15 PM EST, making it easy to fit professional learning into your schedule. No commuting, no childcare logistics—just grab your favorite drink, settle in, and get inspired from the comfort of home. We’ve intentionally kept the cost low, with a subscription to the entire speaker series priced at just $100.
Every session is designed to challenge your thinking, spark inspiration, and give you practical tools to create classrooms where all students can thrive. You’ll leave ready to try new approaches, reimagine engagement, and make a real difference in your students’ learning.
Register now to save your spot in the Reaching All Learners Speaker Series and bring fresh ideas and inspiration to your classroom, all from the comfort of your living room!
