All In For Literacy: How Unity Among Educators Transforms Learning [RECORDED]

Course Number: ABIO2429

When: Recorded playback is available between June 19, 2024 – June 19, 2029.

Where: Available under “Course Content” at the bottom of this page.

Description: In this session, we delve into the reading crisis and its disproportionate effects on students and marginalized families. We explore collaborative strategies among professionals to support early literacy development. We explore practical methods to promote literacy at home, ensure carryover of instruction, and discuss teaching strategies to empower children in reading acquisition.

Who This Course Is Good For:

Any educator or caregiver who wants to learn about the reading crisis and strategies for encouraging early literacy development.
Any ASHA member, CCC holder, or other professionals who are licensed or credentialed to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology or preparing to earn ASHA CEUs.
Any professional who works with pediatric clients.
Any professional or caregiver who is seeking to learn more about literacy instruction.

Who This Course Isn’t Good For:

SLPs who are not currently practicing or are not actively involved in direct client care.
Experts with advanced knowledge in reading science and structured literacy.

Presenters:

Venita Litvack, M.A, CCC-SLP

Venita is an Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant in south Florida. She has a passion for using AAC, AT, and literacy to support individuals with complex communication needs, autism, and other disabilities. Venita has delivered poster presentations on several topics related to AAC at ASHA and co-presented several ASHA CEU-accredited courses. Venita co-authored two articles published in ASHA Leader’s online publication, as well as the Lou Knows What to Do book series published by Boys Town Press. Recently, Venita started utilizing the power of social media to empower and motivate educators across the country through the Speechie Side Up podcast, blog, Instagram account, and YouTube channel.

Spencer Russell

Spencer Russell, a former award-winning kindergarten and first-grade teacher, is the author of Toddlers CAN Read—a revolutionary approach to literacy education grounded in the Science of Reading. His program empowers parents to effectively teach their children to read. Recognized as a keynote speaker at SXSW EDU 2024, Russell has also been featured in the TikTok Sparks Good docuseries, showcasing successful small businesses on the platform, as well as in FOX, Parents.com, Family Education, Today’s Parent, and PopSugar Parenting.

Disclosure Statements

Venita Litvack has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: ownership interest in Speechie Side Up, LLC and Tassel Learning, LLC; royalties from the Lou Knows What to Do book series.

Venita Litvack has the following relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose: member of the ASHA Special Interest Group 12.

Spencer Russell has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: Creator of Toddlers Can Read and receives payment for any products purchased. He is also receiving honorarium for this presentation and receives commission for any sales made with his code.

Spencer Russell has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this activity, participants will:

Describe how the current state of the reading crisis is impacting students & marginalized families
List at least 2 ways professionals can collaborate for the benefit of early literacy development
List at least 2 ways to get carryover of literacy instruction at home
Identify at least 2 strategies for effectively teaching children to read

Agenda

5 min	Introductions and Backgrounds
10 min	The current state of the reading crisis is impacting students & marginalized families
15 min	Collaboration strategies for early literacy development
15 min	Promoting carryover in the home
10 min	How to simplify reading instruction
5 min	References, Closing, Discussion, and Questions