From Screening to Success: Navigating California's Early Literacy Landscape
2025-10-22 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Join literacy leaders Linda Diamond, Kasey Klappenback, and Megan Potente for a compelling panel discussion on the future of reading in California. We go beyond the new law, SB 114, focusing on the essential, practical implementation of effective reading screenings. Understanding how to correctly use and interpret reading screenings is the crucial next step for all California schools.
This must-attend event shows educators and administrators how to properly utilize California’s new literacy laws to build a stronger foundation for lifelong reading success for all students. Furthermore, the panel discusses the potential impact of related legislation, like AB 1454, and explains why it’s essential for achieving early literacy success.
Key Strategies for Effective Implementation:
This session provides clarity and actionable strategies for California educators. The panelists will address:

Understanding screeners: What they are, how to correctly interpret the results, and why they must remain curriculum-agnostic.
Using data effectively: How to use screening data to identify both school-wide instructional needs and specific educator support needs.
Early warning systems: How to use screeners as an early warning to identify students who need more specific diagnostic measures. This helps determine specific skill gaps and plan targeted instruction for reading intervention.

This recorded panel is essential for all educators, administrators, and parents seeking to understand and implement California’s new literacy landscape.
Register now!

SPOD Diving Deeper - Evolving the Definition of Dyslexia for Greater Inclusivity and Practical Impact
2025-11-05 16:00 - 17:00
Unpacking the New Definition of Dyslexia
Join Dr. Tim Odegard, a key member of the International Dyslexia Association’s (IDA) Definition Committee, for this webinar about the evolving definition of dyslexia. Dr. Odegard shares a unique perspective grounded in both extensive research and personal experience. Here, we’ll dive deep into the newly announced IDA definition of dyslexia.

Practical Insights for Educators
This session offers crucial knowledge for every educator and education leader. You’ll have access to Dr. Odegard’s original session with Dr. Charley Haynes from Spotlight on Dyslexia as well. This is your chance to understand the evolving dyslexia definition and what it means for your practice.

Empowering You and Your Students
This webinar provides an invaluable opportunity to:

Understand the new dyslexia definition
Align your practices with current scientific consensus
Advocate effectively for all learners
Foster greater inclusivity and impact in your educational settings

Don’t miss this must-attend event to grasp the practical implications of this vital update.
Register now!

Stories Around the Campfire: Reading is "S’more Fun" Together
2025-11-12 14:00 - 14:30
Gather ’round (virtually!) for Stories Around the Campfire, a special live event perfect for the fall season. Join Learning Ally and acclaimed narrator and voice actor Sara Wittry Phan for a magical celebration of literacy! This event is the perfect way for elementary and middle school readers, their classmates, teachers, and families to celebrate our Fall Into Literacy theme.
Sara brings the beautiful autumn book, Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland, to life. This captivating journey explores the colors and wonders of fall. It uses wordplay and luminous illustrations to celebrate the shifts in nature as autumn deepens. Ultimately, Stories Around the Campfire is designed to inspire emotions and add creative positivity to the world, one project at a time.
Meet the Narrator and Explore Literacy:
Sara Wittry Phan is a voice-acting powerhouse with over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry. Beyond her professional work, Sara is passionate about inspiring readers and promoting literacy.

Celebrate the Season: Experience a captivating autumn story read live by a professional voice actor.
Family Engagement: This event encourages family literacy engagement and makes reading a fun, shared experience.
Free Resources: Can’t make it live? No worries! A recording and a free book guide for Fall Leaves will be available on the Fall into Literacy Landing Page shortly after the event.
Literacy Community: Join the Learning Ally community as we share this “S’more Fun” event with you!

Behind the Mic: A Day in the Life of a Voice Actor
2025-11-13 14:00 - 14:30
Ever wonder what it takes to bring characters and stories to life using just your voice? Join Learning Ally for a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the world of voice acting! This session is perfect whether you’re an aspiring actor, curious about creative careers, or just love animated characters and great storytelling.
Our guest voice actor, Sara Wittry Phan, shares her personal journey into the field. She showcases her compelling work and answers your questions about the reality of being a professional voice actor today. Furthermore, Sara discusses how advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly changing the voice acting industry.
Key Takeaways and Insights:
This live event offers unique insight into a creative career and the intersection of voice and literacy. Viewers will:

Explore Career Paths: Learn about Sara Wittry Phan’s personal journey and discover key steps to starting a career in voice acting.
Understand the Craft: See behind the scenes as Sara showcases her work bringing audiobooks and characters to life.
Discuss Industry Changes: Get an insider’s perspective on how AI is impacting the future of the voice acting industry.
Access Resources: Can’t make it live? No worries! A recording of the event will be added to our Fall into Literacy Landing Page shortly after the session.

SPOD Diving Deeper - The Intersection of AI and LD: Dyslexia & Education in the Age of AI
2025-12-09 16:00 - 17:00
Unlock the future of learning. Join education leader Josh Clark for a webinar on the revolutionary impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on education. We’ll focus on supporting students with learning disabilities, like dyslexia.
A Deeper Dive into AI and LD
Following his popular “Spotlight on Dyslexia” session, Josh Clark returns. This is your chance to explore the intersection of AI, learning challenges, and innovative teaching. We will provide actionable strategies for today’s educators and administrators.
What You’ll Learn:

Practical AI Strategies: Discover concrete ways to integrate AI ethically into your classroom. Learn how AI personalizes learning and streamlines tasks. Enhance outcomes for all learners, including those with dyslexia.
New Frameworks for Learning: Engage in thought-provoking discussions about the ethical challenges of AI in education. Develop a strong understanding to guide your institution. We’ll focus on how AI impacts students with dyslexia.
Empowering Students for the Future: Gain insights on how to prepare students for an AI-driven world. Equip them with critical thinking and digital literacy skills. Use AI to address diverse learning needs, including those related to dyslexia.
Bonus Session: As a registered attendee, you will get free access to Josh Clark’s original “Spotlight on Dyslexia” session. This resource provides a strong foundation for understanding the role of AI in this context.

Who Should Attend?
This webinar is for all education leaders. This includes superintendents, principals, curriculum directors, and special education coordinators. It’s also for instructional technologists, teachers in leadership roles, and educational policymakers.
Revolutionize your approach to education. Empower the next generation of thinkers.
Register now!

Cross-Language Connections: Assessing for Dyslexia among Bilingual Learners
2026-01-14 16:30 - 17:30
Accurately assessing emergent bilinguals for learning differences presents some of the most complex challenges in modern education. It demands specialized knowledge beyond monolingual assessment standards. Join Julia Betancourt and Nancy Rebarchik for this SPOD Diving Deeper session, a comprehensive, 300-word follow-up explicitly designed for educators and education leadership. You must refine your understanding and practical application of dyslexia assessment strategies for bilingual learners. This specialized training builds on their popular “Spotlight on Dyslexia” session and focuses intensively on the complexities of cross-language connections and cultural considerations. Ignoring these factors can lead to devastating misidentification or failure to identify needs altogether. Therefore, mastering reliable dyslexia assessment strategies for bilingual learners is essential to promoting equity.
This session offers advanced insights to enhance your ability to accurately identify and support dyslexic bilingual learners, ensuring literacy for all. You will gain essential, research-backed knowledge about building robust systems for identification and intervention, thereby promoting literacy for bilingual learners across your entire school or district. Furthermore, the presenters will address common pitfalls, misconceptions, and the specific diagnostic tools necessary for this population.
Key Strategies for Bilingual Dyslexia Assessment:
This SPOD Diving Deeper session provides advanced, actionable steps to improve assessment and intervention practices immediately. We’ll delve deeply into:

Advanced Case Studies: We will conduct an in-depth analysis of complex scenarios in bilingual dyslexia assessment. These case studies move beyond the basics, focusing on differential diagnosis and distinguishing language acquisition issues from true learning disabilities.

Data Point Analysis: We will identify and analyze the specific data points crucial for accurate identification. This includes analyzing data across both languages (L1 and L2) to ensure appropriate educational planning and to avoid bias.

Referral Processes: Learn actionable steps to build robust, equitable referral processes for emergent bilinguals. This ensures timely and appropriate access to necessary evaluations and resources.

Effective Interventions: Discover practical, proven strategies for implementing effective dyslexia interventions within your district or campus, specifically tailored to honor and leverage a student’s linguistic strengths. This includes practical tools and resources you can implement next week.

Understanding Policy: Discuss the key policy considerations and legal mandates that impact the assessment and instruction of bilingual learners with dyslexia.

You will also have immediate access to the original “Cross-Language Connections” session, making this a complete, high-value professional learning experience within the SPOD series.

Dyslexia Defined: Unpacking the 2025 IDA Definition
2026-01-28 16:00 - 17:00
The revised 2025 International Dyslexia Association (IDA) definition of dyslexia reflects decades of scientific progress. This edWebinar invites you to explore the full scope of this expanded definition. Dr. Tim Odegard, a member of the IDA definition committee, will bridge the gap between scientific language and classroom realities, and real-life experiences that persist across lifespans. He will clarify how this updated definition fosters a deeper understanding of dyslexia’s causes and defining characteristics.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how a continued focus on instructional persistence informs our approach to identification and intervention. This session offers the reassurance that as our scientific understanding of dyslexia evolves, our shared commitment to helping every student thrive remains the heart of our work.
Learning objectives include:

Analyze the core components of the 2025 IDA revised definition regarding word-reading accuracy and speed
Evaluate “instructional persistence” as a key indicator of the dyslexia profile
Identify the defining characteristics of dyslexia

This edWebinar will be of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, district leaders, dyslexia specialists, reading specialists, speech pathologists, and MTSS and intervention specialists.
Register now!
