June 12-14, 2024, we invite Kindergarten through Grade 3 educators – who open the world of words to children – from around southern Idaho to come to Ketchum/Sun Valley for three days of lively conversation and learning with preeminent literacy scholars and colleagues.
All Summit participants from previous years are invited to Reunion Day
on June 11, 2024. Special invitations to come!
Wednesday-Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day
The Community Library
Ketchum, Idaho
We’ll dig into reading research and discuss:
- how reading happens in the brain
- 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 36 instructors. The application period opens on February 1 and closes on March 1, 2024. The application form will be available at this site beginning February 1.
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. Carol Tolman has 25 years of experience in public schools at the elementary and secondary schools and has written and co-authored multiple books.
Dr. Antonio Fierro is a leading national consultant on reading with particular expertise pertaining to Spanish-speaking English language learners.
Judi Dodson is a national literacy consultant and a special education teacher, who has done extensive educational work in Peru.
Early Literacy Learning Center
Sun Valley Early Literacy Summit: Recordings and Resources
Previous Summit attendees only. Password required.
Apply for the 2024 Early Literacy Summit
Come back February 1, 2024, to apply here.
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!”
