Embassy Suites by Hilton, Nashville–South/Cool Springs
820 Crescent Centre Drive
Franklin, TN 37067
Directions
This workshop empowers teachers and school leaders with an understanding of the Dirigo Literacy framework, The Upward Spiral of Literacy. Participants will explore the core tenets of reading development and the science of reading. By examining evidence-based literacy practices, educators gain strategies to strengthen reading motivation and achievement, as well as recognize school and community-based contexts that influence literacy.
Learning Outcomes
Understand the science of reading as a longstanding body of knowledge.
Recognize the role of the reading brain and its development.
Be familiar with theories underpinning reading development.
View oral language as a springboard for literacy development.
Build students’ foundational reading and writing skills through explicit instruction.
Address fluency as a bridge to comprehension.
Understand the factors that influence comprehension.
Build word knowledge across the grade levels through decoding, morphology, and vocabulary instruction.
Envision themselves as literacy leaders—regardless of their current role.
Create literacy-rich environments in classrooms and schools.
Promote readers’ self-efficacy, engagement, motivation, and stamina.
Become familiar with data-driven instruction and linking data to instruction.
Molly Ness, PhD, has served as a classroom teacher, reading researcher, teacher educator, and associate professor. She has provided literacy leadership to nationally recognized nonprofits and publishers. The author of six books, she sits on the board of the World Literacy Foundation.
We value your feedback! Please take a moment to fill out this quick evaluation at the end of Day 2.
Agenda
Slides
Handout
Materials are copyrighted. Workshop participants may print these pages for personal use and note-taking during the event. Additionally, pages marked “Reproducible” can be reproduced freely without permission as long as they are not reprinted in a formal book that is published and sold; copyright lines on Reproducible pages must remain intact. Otherwise, no part of these materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of Solution Tree. Please contact pubs@SolutionTree.com for permission to duplicate any materials.
Browse our full online bookstore and save 30% on five or more titles, plus free shipping.
Use code TNUSL26 by October 24, 2026, at SolutionTree.com.
On-site and continental US only.
You will receive a certificate of participation within six weeks after the event concludes.
Please check with your district office for CEU availability. For more information, click here.
