“Attending LitCon brings a unity and clarity of purpose to the service of teaching and learning to support ALL kids. Sessions are both specific and general. All the presenters I’ve seen are incredibly experienced, well-researched, have a broad perspective, and are beautifully articulate. The keynote speakers deliver! I enter and leave LitCon with an assured tide of community grit and grace – each day a new day for sharing and boosting one another along in the journey of teaching, learning, and literacy.”

Designed for the broader K-8 Literacy community, LitCon sessions are offered in strands of Classroom Literacy (K-2, 3-5, 6-8), Children’s Literature, Leadership in Literacy, Literacy Coaching, and Reading Recovery. Each day, featured sessions spotlighted literacy leaders who are experts in their fields; with many choices, there was something for everyone. Sessions such as Creating Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Books for Anti-Racist Teaching with Allison Briceño and Where Are We Going, Where Have We Been?: Prioritizing Teacher Autonomy in the SOR Era with Paul Thomas covered everything from integrating language and literacy with social justice to the importance of prioritizing teacher autonomy. Throughout the day, attendees also attended smaller breakout concurrent sessions of everything from Enhancing Phonemic Awareness and Phonics in the Upper-Grade Levels: Unlocking the Code to Writing Success to The Power of One Conversation: A Guide to Evidence-Based Writing & Student Dialogue for Students in Underserved Communities. “The speakers were excellent,” shared one attendee. “They shared a good mixture of theoretical and practical information.”

“The caliber of the presenters is unmatched.  It is refreshing and encouraging to spend time with like-minded educators when we are bombarded with negative feedback on a daily basis in the media and our schools.”

In between learning, there was plenty of fun! On Saturday, registrants partied the night away at the Big Win: a gala for the Foundation for Struggling Readers featuring music, drinks, games, and several sudden-death Bingo-off competitions. A few lucky attendees walked away with grand prizes, but everyone was a winner partying for a good cause. In between sessions, attendees shopped to their heart’s content at over 50 booths in the Exhibit Hall. They browsed giveaways, books, goodies, educational programs, art, and nonprofits while making new connections and building relationships.

“LitCon is THE conference to attend if you teach reading. The presenters are knowledgeable and engaging. I learn something new in each session.”

Keynote speakers offered a mix of inspiration and practical challenges literacy leaders could apply to their classrooms immediately. To kick off LitCon Saturday night, Shuaib Meacham delivered Literacy, Joy, and Resilience: Hip Hop Literacy, Youth Excellence, and the Power of Hip Hop for Educators. Conferencegoers left his keynote inspired by the boundless potential of hip-hop culture to ignite a passion for learning, fostering resilience and empowerment in students. On Monday, Peter Johnston presented Unshrinking Literacy, Teaching and Learning. Children’s social and emotional development lies squarely in the bailiwick of the language arts and the literate talk within which they are immersed, he shared, and that development, in turn, supports literacy development. Everyone left buzzing from this thought-provoking presentation. Finally, best-selling author Jason Reynolds shared his reflections on integrating characters and stories of difference in his writing in STAMPED: Reflections on Integrating Characters & Stories of Difference. One attendee shared that it was “inspirational, motivating, and encouraging for educators to see the positives and strengths in all kids who have a message to share.”

“It’s simply the best professional development in the nation.  Teachers can immediately implement new skills and strategies gathered at this conference.”

By Tuesday afternoon, the Columbus Convention Center was quiet. LitCon attendees headed home inspired and rejuvenated, ready to apply all they learned to their schools and classrooms. But while LitCon ’24 is over, LitCon ’25 is just around the corner (and you’ll love what’s in store!). As one attendee put it, LitCon is “a place to find “your people”! Knowledge is power, and it’s the place to get the knowledge!”