LitCon 2025 Recap: A Celebration of Literacy, Learning, and Inspiration!
LitCon: National K-8 Literacy and Reading Recovery Conference once again proved why it’s the Homecoming of Literacy Leaders during its 40th anniversary. From deep-dive pre-conference workshops to inspiring keynotes, attendees walked away with fresh ideas, actionable strategies, and a renewed passion for teaching reading. Here’s a fun recap of all the highlights!
Preconference Powerhouse – A Full Day of Literacy Learning
The excitement kicked off Saturday with preconference workshops featuring top literacy experts. Educators had the chance to roll up their sleeves and engage in hands-on learning, digging into best practices for literacy instruction. A major highlight? The first-ever all-day Pre-K Literacy Workshop! This groundbreaking session focused on setting the foundation for young learners, ensuring that even our tiniest readers start their literacy journey on the right foot.
The Big Win Games and Gala – Party with a Purpose
Saturday night brought big party vibes at the Big Win! Guests walked the purple carpet and played bingo for a great cause: supporting advocacy, research, and financial awards for educators through the Foundation for Struggling Readers. Music, games, and fun came together for an unforgettable evening with a side of generosity!
A Grand Opening: Catherine Compton-Lilly Sets the Tone
Sunday morning, the conference officially opened with a powerful keynote from Catherine Compton-Lilly. Her presentation, “Centering Children and Working towards Equity: Teaching All Children to Read,” was a call to action, reminding educators that literacy is not one-size-fits-all. With an emphasis on equity and meeting students where they are, she challenged the audience to rethink traditional approaches and ensure all children have access to high-quality reading instruction. The energy from her session carried into a full day of learning, as educators packed into concurrent and featured speaker sessions to hear from thought leaders across the field.
Day 2: The Gift of Reading with David Bouchard
If there’s one thing David Bouchard knows how to do, it’s captivate a room. His keynote, “The Gift of Reading,” was nothing short of magnetic. With a mix of storytelling, passion, music, and deep insights, he reminded us why reading is more than just a skill—it’s a gift that opens doors, builds connections, and transforms lives. Attendees left his session buzzing with excitement, ready to inspire their own students with a love for literacy.
Closing with Impact: Tim Rasinski on the Art and Science of Reading
As the conference came to a close, Tim Rasinski took the stage to deliver a keynote that perfectly blended research and practice. In “Effective Reading Instruction is Both Art and Science,” he emphasized that while evidence-based strategies are crucial, the magic of reading also lies in creativity, engagement, and joy. His message left educators feeling both validated and invigorated, ready to bring a balanced approach to support student engagement and learning.
LitCon 2025 delivered everything educators could hope for—expert insights, engaging discussions, and a community of passionate professionals committed to fostering a love of reading in students. Whether it was diving into pre-K literacy strategies, exploring equity in reading instruction, or rediscovering the joy of storytelling, every attendee walked away with something valuable.
Until next year, keep turning those pages and inspiring the next generation of readers! 📚✨
Attendee Testimonials
So many great speakers and teachers & valuable information to implement in classrooms and a great refresher on many topics
Incredible keynote speakers, knowledgeable presenters, and great ideas to implement immediately with struggling readers
Informative, eye-opening, engaging, and open-minded conversation!
Learning is of the highest caliber
Research-based practices for growing and sustaining literacy for all students
The conference is awesome. Keynote and session speakers are superb. Learned lots!
I have enjoyed and learned so much in the past two years I have attended this conference.
LitCon allows you to learn fresh ideas about how to help your students develop a love of reading and how to meet them where they are so that you can take them to where they can thrive.
