Unlocking Literacy 2025
Leveraging the Strengths of Multilingual Learners: Effective Assessment & Instruction
Featuring Two Tracks: Birth–5 & K–3
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center, Miami, FL
Date: July 29, 2025
The conference offers a dynamic forum for learning exchange and collaboration. The full-day event will target 250+ professionals in education and individuals passionate about deepening their literacy understanding. Participants will have the unique opportunity to hear from leading speakers from across the nation, pooling a vast array of knowledge, expertise, and innovation in literacy education.
Keynote Speakers:
Chancellor Cari Miller leads Florida’s Division of Early Learning, overseeing statewide early learning programs and collaborating with thirty early learning coalitions.
Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan is a Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist and a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She is the Director of Valley Speech Language and Learning Center in Brownsville, Texas.
Dr. Antonio A. Fierro, Ed.D is the Vice President of Professional Learning and Academics at the 95 Percent Group and co-author of Kid Lips®, a phonetics curriculum for young children.
Speakers:
Dr. Stephanie Stollar is an educational consultant, founder of the Reading Science Academy, and author of the book MTSS for Reading Improvement.
Dr. Ryan Pontier is an FIU Assistant Professor and former dual language teacher, leads bilingual education efforts and advocates for native language assessment and dual language certification.
Nicole Florez, M. Ed., C-SLDI is a Literacy Specialist at the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE) and a founding board member of The Reading League New Mexico Chapter.
Dr. Maria Aielli, Ed.D. is an Assistant Professor at Mount St. Joseph University and a literacy specialist for Project Ready! She supports educators and advocates for dyslexia as a board member of the Ohio Valley IDA, promoting literacy success.
Dr. E. Judith Cohen, Ed.D. is the former Director of Clinical Experiences at FIU and a literacy educator with over 20 years of experience at the McGlannan School. She has taught literacy courses in Special Education, works as an educational consultant, and serves on the boards of IDA-Florida and The Reading League-Florida.
Senator Alexis Calatayud represents District 38 and is an advocate for educational equity, formerly directing policy at FLDOE, enhancing Florida’s education system and funding.
Dr. Monica Covington-Cradle is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and literacy consultant with 22+ years of experience. She has trained NYCDOE educators in the Science of Reading, led professional development workshops, and supports system-wide literacy initiatives.
Literary Luminaries
Donors gifting $25,000 - $49,999
Narrative Nurturers
Donors gifting $5,000 - $9,999
Story Starters
Donors gifting $2,500 - $4,999
