2025 Summit for New Cohort:
June 11-13, 2025
Application period opens February 3.
Apply here.
2025 Reunion for Past Participants:
June 10, 2025
Registration opens February 3.
Register here.
SVELS Resource Hub
Previous attendees: Find recordings and resources to lean into the learning longer! Password required.
The Sun Valley Early Literacy Summit brings together Idaho’s teachers around the science of reading…because we want every child to be able to read!
We explore:
- the components of structured literacy
- the impact of phonemic awareness on literacy
- the principles of spelling
- informed teaching strategies for multilingual language learners
- informed teaching strategies for students with dyslexia
- social-emotional learning
- and more!
There is NO COST for the Early Literacy Summit. An honorarium of $200 will be provided to teachers based in Blaine County, and $500 will be provided to instructors traveling from outside of Blaine County, to help cover travel and associated expenses. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided each day.
Continuing education credit will be provided through Northwest Nazarene University.
Registration is limited to approximately 50 instructors. The application period opens at 8:00 a.m. on February 3, and closes at 5:00 p.m. on February 28. The application form will be available at this site beginning February 3.
For more information, contact Jenny Emery Davidson, executive director at The Community Library: jdavidson@comlib.org.
In the following 2025-26 school year, the participants will be invited to at least three Zoom check-ins with the group to continue to share ideas and best practices as we work together to promote a culture of literacy across southern Idaho!
Lead Scholars
- Dr. Antonio Fierro is a leading national consultant on reading with particular expertise pertaining to Spanish-speaking English language learners.
- Dr. Carol Tolman has 25 years of experience in public schools at both the elementary and secondary level, and has authored and co-authored multiple books.
- Dr. Sally Brown is an associate professor of education at the College of Idaho. She has been deeply involved in developing the state’s literacy standards and dyslexia legislation.
- Judi Dodson is a national literacy consultant and a special education teacher, who has done extensive educational work in Peru.
Apply for the 2025 Early Literacy Summit
Early Literacy Summit Application
APPLY NOW! In order to support a high degree of interaction between participating instructors and with the presenting scholars, the Sun Valley Early Literacy Summit is limited to approximately 50 participants. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on February 28, 2025, and all applicants will be notified in mid-March.
Comments from Former Attendees:
“This by far was the most beneficial summit I have ever been to. So many learning moments! I can’t wait to get back to my classroom and apply my new knowledge.”
“This literacy summit has been so impactful! I have learned so many new ways of teaching my students how to read. This has been such a fulfilling experience, not only as a teacher, but as a learner. ¡Gracias!”
“This really solidified my thinking about teaching reading. I know so much more about phoneme-grapheme relationships. I will be using the sound wall for sure!”
