Upcoming Conferences & Webinars

Upcoming public events will be posted here. Check back often or sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss an opportunity!

Conference
In-Person or Live Stream

July 15, 2025

Building a Middle School Intervention Program
that Works for ALL Learners (4-12)

Wabash Valley Education Center | West Lafayette, IN

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

Attend in-person or view the live stream. In this engaging and informative session, administrators, title directors, EL Directors, and instructional coaches will gain invaluable insights into the key components of building a successful intervention program tailored to the unique needs of middle school students. Dr. French will guide you through practical tools for identifying struggling readers, designing targeted interventions, and monitoring progress over time. Whether you're a seasoned leader looking to enhance your existing program or a newcomer seeking guidance on where to begin, this workshop offers a wealth of resources and strategies to help you make a lasting impact on student literacy outcomes. This summer workshop ensures you are ready to start the year off with an amazing intervention plan!

Conference

July 21, 2025

Science of Reading 101:
for Elementary School Principals & Assistant Principals

Mountain State ESC & West Virginia Department of Education | South Charleston, WV

Presenter: Dr. Katie McKnight

Spend the day learning the basic requirements for implementing the Science of Reading in your school. Look-fors when conducting walk throughs will be provided. This professional development is being provided to elementary school administrators in the state of West Virginia.

In-Person Workshop

July 30, 2025

Auditing, Aligning & Advancing Your SIP

AN ENGAGING LEARNERS WORKSHOP!

Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

Is your school in need of improvement, but you're not sure where to start? Whether you're new to leadership or stuck in another planning cycle, this one-day workshop will equip you with the clarity and tools to lead real change. No more dusty improvement plans. Leave with a living, strategic plan that drives results. By day’s end, you’ll have a ready-to-implement and DOE-compliant School Improvement Plan, real progress, and a checked box in one powerful day.

Live Zoom Workshop

August 2, 2025

How to Teach Reading in Grades 6–12 (Fast!)—
Even If No One Taught You How

AN ENGAGING LEARNERS WORKSHOP!

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

This one day intensive gives you a crash course in the Science of Reading, tailored specifically for secondary classrooms. No theory overload. No shame. Just practical, research-based strategies you can use immediately—even if you’ve never taught reading in your life. Whether you're a science teacher, a seasoned literacy coach, or a principal looking to lead stronger reading instruction—this course is for you!

In-Person Workshop

September 26, 2025

Writing Winning Grants:
A Practical Guide for School Leaders & Teachers

Southern Indiana Education Center (SEIC) | Jasper, IN

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

Are you an educator with big ideas but limited resources? This half-day, interactive workshop is designed specifically for teachers, coaches, curriculum leads, and school leaders who want to write winning grants that fund programs, materials, or professional development. Whether you're applying for local mini-grants or large-scale federal funding, you’ll walk away with the tools, templates, and confidence to write compelling proposals. No previous experience required!

In-Person Workshop

October 2, 2025

Bridging the Gap:
What the Science of Reading Looks Like
for Middle and High School Students

Southern Indiana Education Center (SEIC) | Jasper, IN

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

There are tons of PD opportunities and resources available on the science of reading for elementary teachers, but the science of reading still applies to middle and high school students! Secondary teachers are experts of their content, but are frustrated by the lack of knowledge and resources to support students who still need to master decoding and fluency. In this session, participants will explore the science of reading and its application to older students. Whether you're a classroom teacher, literacy coach, or administrator, this workshop offers valuable insights, resources, and tools to enhance your teaching practice and empower your secondary students to become confident and proficient readers.

In-Person Workshop

October 15, 2025

Bridging the Gap:
What the Science of Reading Looks Like
for Middle and High School Students (Gr. 6-12)

Wabash Valley Education Center | West Lafayette, IN

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

There are tons of PD opportunities and resources available on the science of reading for elementary teachers, but the science of reading still applies to middle and high school students! Secondary teachers are experts of their content, but are frustrated by the lack of knowledge and resources to support students who still need to master decoding and fluency. In this session, participants will explore the science of reading and its application to older students. Whether you're a classroom teacher, literacy coach, or administrator, this workshop offers valuable insights, resources, and tools to enhance your teaching practice and empower your secondary students to become confident and proficient readers.

Conference

October 24, 2025

Secondary Reading League:
46th Day of Reading

Tinley Park Convention Center | Tinley Park, IL

Presenter: Dr. Katie McKnight

The Secondary Reading League is a statewide council of the Illinois Reading Council. SRL’s purpose is to provide opportunities for the formal and informal exchange of ideas related to literacy issues and lifelong learning, with an emphasis on reading and the concerns of secondary educators. Register by 9/15/25 and receive Katie’s 2-Book Set with your Early Bird Registration. Dr. Katie McKnight will deliver the keynote address and present on the topics:

Small Group Instruction for Grades 4-12
Instructional Practices and Routines to Develop Literacy Skills for Deep Content Study
The Science of Reading Applied to Secondary Level

In-Person Workshop

November 4, 2025

Initiative Mastery:
Prioritizing and Launching School Initiatives that Work

Southern Indiana Education Center (SEIC) | Jasper, IN

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

Did you know that 80% of school initiatives fail? With so much out of our control, how do we combat initiative fatigue, remain compliant, AND improve student achievement? This workshop is designed exclusively for school administrators seeking to streamline their initiatives and ensure their success. Learn how to conduct a district-wide initiative audit, assess the effectiveness , prioritize programming, and develop a plan for implementation.

In-Person Workshop

November 20, 2025

Writing Reboot:
Teaching Writing When Students Struggle to Read 

Southern Indiana Education Center (SEIC) | Jasper, IN

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

Teaching writing in middle and high school can feel impossible when students have serious gaps in spelling, decoding, and reading comprehension. This workshop is designed for teachers who want to support adolescent writers—but aren’t sure where to begin. We’ll explore high-leverage, research-based strategies that make writing accessible for students with foundational literacy needs. From sentence level scaffolds and guided modeling to vocabulary supports, this session offers realistic, classroom-ready tools that work across content areas. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or new to writing instruction, you'll leave with ideas you can use tomorrow.

Conference

December 8, 2025

2025 Raising Student Achievement Conference

Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools (IARSS) | Oak Brook, IL

Presenter: Dr. Katie McKnight

In-Person Workshop

January 21, 2026

Mission Possible:
Practical Solutions When Resources Run Low

Wabash Valley Education Center | West Lafayette, IN

Presenter: Dr. Jenny French

With shrinking budgets and limited support, schools are being asked to do more with less. But less doesn’t have to mean less impact. This workshop introduces a practical framework to help leaders assess what they have, focus on what matters, and maximize existing people, systems, and resources. Whether you're short on materials, staff, or funding, you'll leave with creative, actionable strategies to stretch your resources without sacrificing quality or burning out your team.