We are so excited to invite you to our 26th Anniversary Conference in Waltham Massachusetts on Friday, April 4th. Register by March 20th.
8:15-9:00 Registration: Waltham Woods Conference Center, Waltham, MA
Check in
Coffee, Tea, Water, Pastries
9:00-9:30 Welcome and Announcements
Opening Note and Reflection
Presentation of the Barbara A. Kenefick NEALS Service Award The Barbara Kenefick award gives us the opportunity to recognize an individual who has contributed to NEALS’ mission and made a significant difference in the lives of our members.
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
9:30-11:00 Keynote Address: Marianne Nice
Revolutionize Your Planning For Direct Instruction Through Use of AI
Are you curious about the potential uses of AI to revolutionize your instructional planning but not sure where to start or how to use it meaningfully? Marianne Nice will join us for this game-changing professional development opportunity that will leave you excited about the possibilities of AI to plan powerful instruction that aligns with the Science of Reading. This interactive session will demonstrate how you can save valuable planning time and meet the needs of your diverse students. Marianne will provide practical examples using content across a number of grade-levels to demonstrate how you can use AI planning tools to support instruction in decoding, comprehension, vocabulary development, writing and more! Get ready to not only review best practices in literacy development, but also be empowered to use AI to generate meaningful activities. Participants will receive guidance on how to maximize use of precise search terms to achieve the best results and will receive a free "Search Term Reference Sheet" as a future reference guide.
11:00-11:15 BIO Break - Please take care of any needs you might have
11:15-11:45 Midday Mingle
11:45-12:45 Lunch
12:45-1:00 Welcome Back
1:00-2:30 Afternoon with Jess Lofgren Curtin
Unlocking Student Voices: The Transformative Power of Zines in Education
This presentation explores how zines (self-published, small-circulation booklets) provide a unique, creative, hands-on approach to education that encourages and celebrates personal expression, critical thinking, and active engagement. By incorporating zines into education, educators can help students develop essential skills in self-expression, research, and reflection, all while making learning more accessible and engaging. At the end of our time together, educators will walk away with practical applications for using zines across the curriculum (and beyond) to enhance communication skills, promote creativity, and encourage collaboration among students.
2:30-2:45 Bio Break - Please take care of any needs you might have
2:45-3:00 Google Group Reflection & Farewell
3:00-4:00 Connect and Depart
Members should log in to register.
Not a member? You can register for the event and purchase your NEALS membership all in one step.
We have arranged a block of discounted rooms at the Hyatt House in Waltham, Massachusetts. To book at a discount, please use this link:
https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-house/en-US/bosxw-hyatt-house-boston-waltham?corp_id=G-NEAL
