Wellington | 20 AugustImage gallery
Looking back at our
2024 Literacy Symposia
The day provided insight into the neuroscience behind how we learn to read, discussions on the implementation of evidence-based methods like those used at Bentleigh West Primary School, and focused on practical teaching strategies that promote equity across all subjects.
We're truly grateful for our inspiring keynote speakers – Dr. Carolyn Strom, Sarah Asome and Dr. Anita Archer.
Key Insights from the Symposia
It was a day of neuroscience, strategic leadership, and 'Archerisms'.
There were so many key takeaways from the day. Following the two events held in August, Learning MATTERS Consultant, Ruth Blair, pulled together insights from the 2024 Cultivating the Literacy Landscape Symposia.
Dr. Carolyn Strom
Dr. Carolyn Strom is a clinical professor at NYU, reading specialist, and former primary school teacher. Her work centers on bridging the disconnect between neuroscientific research and instructional practices used to teach foundational reading skills. She collaborates widely with school districts, teachers, families, and tech companies. Carolyn is a recent recipient of NYU Steinhardt's Teaching Excellence Award and has published her work in The Reading Teacher, The Reading League Journal, and The Handbook of Learning Disabilities. She maintains a clinical practice working with children who have dyslexia.
Sarah Asome
Sarah Asome is a highly experienced educator and the current Principal at Bentleigh West Primary School in Victoria. She has also worked in the UK and Singapore. Sarah has been instrumental leading the change at BWPS but also been able to support many colleagues State, Nationwide and in New Zealand to implement evidence-based literacy instruction in their schools. This has led to a significant increase in literacy and numeracy levels which now places BWPS as a high performing school.
In 2015, Sarah was awarded ‘Outstanding Primary Teacher’ in the Victorian Education Excellence Awards.
She has appeared in “Outside the Square ‘a DVD resource for teachers and in 2017 was featured on SBS Insight – ‘A Teacher Who Changed My Life’. Sarah has completed numerous courses including; Louisa Moat’s LETRS training, Dyslexia Action (UK), Associate training with Australian Dyslexia Association and is a Certified Dyslexia, Reading and Orton-Gillingham specialist and trainer for Australia (OGI international inc). Recently, Sarah completed her Masters in Instructional Leadership at Melbourne University.
In 2023, Bentleigh West Primary School won the Victorian Education Excellence Award (VEEA) for ‘Outstanding Inclusion Education’.
Dr Anita Archer
Dr. Anita Archer serves as an educational consultant to state departments and school districts on explicit instruction and literacy. She has presented in all 50 states and many countries and is the recipient of ten awards honoring her contributions to education. Dr. Archer has served on the faculties of three universities including University of Washington, University of Oregon, and San Diego State University. She has co-authored numerous curriculum materials including Phonics for Reading (Curriculum Associates), a three-level intervention program, REWARDS (Voyager/Sopris), a five component literacy intervention program, and a best-selling textbook titled Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching (Guilford Publications).
Session 1
Dr. Carolyn Strom
Through the Lens of Neuroscience - How We Learn To Read
In this session, Dr. Strom broke down the process of how we learn to read through the lens of neuroscience, discussed what we have learned from the science, and what is important to understand to bridge this research to classroom practice.
Session 2
Sarah Asome
Alignment of Practice Across the Tiers
In this session, Sarah Asome, Principal of Bentleigh West Primary School, delved into the school-wide implementation of structured literacy, including the supports offered across all year levels and the importance of a consistent Multi - Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
Session 3
Dr. Anita Archer
Getting Them All Engaged – The Power of Active Participation
What are the most effective things we need to do with our instruction? In this session, Dr. Archer discussed the critical components essential for effective instruction and taught us how and when to apply these to ensure students make the greatest gains in learning.
Session 4
Keynote speaker panel discussion
Attendees had the chance to engage with the keynote speakers and pose their questions, creating an interactive session that linked grassroots initiatives with the themes presented in the keynote speeches.
