Learning Ally

National Make A Difference Day
2025-10-25
National Make A Difference Day brings community service to a whole new level each year. Organizations join forces on the fourth Saturday in October to make a difference, big or small. Making a difference can come in many forms so this day is wide open for participation!

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!

National Youth Confidence Day
2025-10-20
National Youth Confidence Day is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and fostering self-confidence in young people. The day encourages connecting with and inspiring youth by sharing positive stories, providing tools for growth, and supporting their potential to achieve success.

Dictionary Day
2025-10-16
Dictionary Day celebrates the birth of Noah Webster, an American writer who was born in 1758. Webster is best-known for publishing the first dictionary in 1806, which he continued to compile and expand for the next 27 years. When his dictionary was published in 1828, it was a powerful resource packed with useful words and spelling updates. Webster was a true literacy pioneer for creating the reference book that continues to be used today – both in print and digital formats!

National Coaches Day
2025-10-06
National Coaches Day on October 6 honors the men and women who inspire players to work harder and do their best. Across the country in every community, a coach organizes teams, plans practices and training, motivates players to strive to be the best they can be. At the same time, coaches pinpoint areas for improvement and supply guidance. Every sport or competition requires a leader. More importantly, a leader who knows the game and drives athletes to work together as a team.

World Teachers' Day
2025-10-05
World Teachers’ Day is an international day held annually to celebrate the work of teachers. Established in 1994, it commemorates the signing of recommendation by the International Labor Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Thank you, teachers, for the work you do each day.

World Smile Day
2025-10-03
World Smile Day 2025 is a day dedicated to the universal expression of joy – the smile. It’s a time to remind ourselves of the importance of spreading happiness, kindness, and positivity through simple acts, starting with a smile. This day encourages everyone to wear a smile and share it with the world, brightening the day of those they encounter.

Audiobook Office Hours
2025-09-04 16:00 - 16:30
Unlock the Power of Audiobooks with Learning Ally
Welcome to Audiobook Office Hours. This is an exclusive, interactive meeting. It’s designed just for Learning Ally Audiobook Solution customers. This is your direct connection to our expert team. You can get answers to your most pressing questions here. Master the platform. Unlock its full potential for your classroom.

What to Expect
Join these live sessions. Dive deep into key features. Find solutions to specific challenges. Get personalized support. Maximize your experience. This is an open forum. Bring your questions. Share feedback. Engage in conversations. These will help you leverage Learning Ally’s resources.
We can guide you. Learn to use the platform’s features. Differentiate instruction. Support diverse learners. Create customized reading lists. Track student progress effortlessly. Access a vast library of human-read audiobooks. These are aligned with your curriculum. We’ll also cover ways to integrate audiobooks. Use them in your existing literacy programs. Make reading more accessible and engaging. This helps all students.

Why Join Us?
Our goal is simple. We want you to feel confident. Feel empowered using the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution. Use it to support your students’ learning objectives. Join our community of dedicated educators. Discover new strategies. Help students build fluency. Improve comprehension. Develop a lifelong love of reading.
Ultimately, these sessions are about empowering you. Transform your classroom. Empower your students with the power of audiobooks. Ensure every learner can reach their full potential.
Register now!

National Custodian Day
2025-10-02
They work while we sleep. Sometimes we walk around them in the halls not always “seeing” them or their work as important. That’s why we love National Custodian Day, which rolls around every October 2. It recognizes the hard work that it takes to keep our school facilities in top shape as well as the people who diligently work to make sure we have schools and workplaces that are spotless and sanitary.

Walk and Bike to School Day
2025-10-01
National Walk and Bike to School Day 2025 is a fun and healthy event that encourages students, families, and schools to get active and safely walk or bike to school together. This special day highlights the importance of being active and having safe routes to school. It’s also a great way to build community spirit and teach kids about road safety. Walking or biking to school helps students stay healthy, reduces traffic congestion, and supports cleaner air around schools. The day reminds everyone that even small changes in how we travel can have a big impact on our health and neighborhoods.

National Comic Book Day
2025-09-25
Join us on September 25th to celebrate National Comic Book Day, a day dedicated to honoring the captivating world of sequential art. From the action-packed adventures of superheroes to the compelling narratives of graphic novels, comic books are a unique art form that combines striking visuals with powerful storytelling. Additionally, graphic novels can serve as an excellent entry point for struggling readers, as the combination of images and text can make complex stories more accessible and engaging.

World Gratitude Day
2025-09-21
Join us on September 21st to celebrate World Gratitude Day, a global observance dedicated to recognizing the power of thankfulness. Established in 1965, this day serves as a reminder to pause and appreciate the positive things in our lives—from the simplest kindnesses to the most profound blessings.

National IT Professionals Day
2025-09-16
On the third Tuesday of September, join us in celebrating National IT Professionals Day, a day dedicated to honoring the unsung heroes who keep our digital world running smoothly. From managing complex networks to safeguarding our data and troubleshooting technical glitches, IT professionals are the backbone of modern business and daily life.

National Online Learning Day
2025-09-15
Celebrate National Online Learning Day on September 15th! This day is dedicated to recognizing the transformative power of online education and the achievements of students and educators in the digital world. Online learning, also known as e-learning, has revolutionized how we acquire skills and knowledge, offering unprecedented flexibility and accessibility.

Patriot Day
2025-09-11
Join us on September 11th for Patriot Day, a solemn observance to honor the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks and recognize the bravery of first responders. This day, officially known as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, calls on all Americans to reflect on the lives lost and the enduring spirit of unity and resilience that followed.
Fly your flag at half-staff, observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT, and take a moment to reflect on the meaning of service and sacrifice. By coming together, we ensure that the memory of the events of September 11th, 2001, and the heroes of that day, will never be forgotten.

SPOD Diving Deeper - Supporting Students Diagnosed with Dyslexia & Their Families
2025-09-09 15:00 - 16:00
Join dyslexia experts Missy Purcell and Mallary Lattanze for a crucial follow-up session that builds on their popular Spotlight on Dyslexia presentation. This webinar is designed to provide you with deeper insights and evidence-based strategies to effectively support students with dyslexia and empower their families.
Go beyond the basics as we dive into practical applications of dyslexia interventions and explore nuanced approaches to a more holistic support system.
This session will cover:

Evidence-Based Interventions for Dyslexia: Learn how to apply proven, practical strategies in your classroom.
Fostering Self-Advocacy: Discover nuanced techniques to help students with dyslexia understand their own learning and become strong self-advocates.
Addressing Co-Occurring Conditions: Gain insights into identifying and supporting students who have dyslexia along with other learning differences.
Building Home-School Partnerships: Refine your communication skills to create stronger, more collaborative relationships with families.

Gain the expertise needed to transform student outcomes and cultivate a truly inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Register now!

International Literacy Day
2025-09-08
Join us in celebrating International Literacy Day on September 8th, a global observance established by UNESCO to highlight the transformative power of literacy. Since 1967, this day has served as a crucial reminder of literacy’s role in building more just, peaceful, and sustainable societies. Literacy is a fundamental human right that unlocks a world of opportunities, from individual empowerment to civic participation and economic development.

Read a Book Day
2025-09-06
On September 6th, join millions of readers around the world to celebrate Read a Book Day! This annual observance is a wonderful opportunity to step away from the digital noise and reconnect with the timeless joy of reading. Whether you’re a lifelong bookworm or haven’t picked up a novel in years, this day is for you.

Race to Read Program Continues
2025-08-25 - 2025-10-31
Join the excitement and fuel a love of reading with Learning Ally’s Race to Read program! This dynamic reading competition is designed to motivate students, particularly those who struggle with dyslexia and other reading deficits, to develop a lifelong habit of reading. From August 25th to October 31st, students and educators can participate by engaging with Learning Ally’s human-read audiobooks.
Learning Ally’s Race to Read is more than a challenge; it’s a powerful tool for literacy development. By providing access to engaging, grade-level audiobooks, the program helps students overcome barriers to reading, build comprehension, and gain confidence. Participants track their reading minutes to earn rewards, celebrate their progress, and compete for a chance to win prizes for their classroom.

Spotlight on Dyslexia
2025-06-04 10:00 - 2025-06-05 17:00
Spotlight on Dyslexia: The Premier Virtual Event for Literacy & Learning
Join Learning Ally’s 10th annual Spotlight on Dyslexia virtual conference. This is a premier online event for educators. It’s designed to boost literacy and empower you. This conference combines new insights, practical strategies, and inspirational stories. Get the tools you need to support all students, especially those with dyslexia.
Thousands of educators attend this event. You’ll gain crucial insights to help you identify dyslexia. Learn how to use evidence-based literacy instruction. Implement strong support systems. Ensure every student learns to read.
Educate. Empower. Elevate.
This event is structured to help you:
Educate: Spot early signs of dyslexia. Understand screening and assessment data. Know when and what accommodations to provide.
Empower: Use evidence-based literacy instruction. Gain a deeper understanding of learning differences. Focus on how they relate to dyslexia.
Elevate: Improve your school’s literacy instruction. Implement appropriate support systems. Help all students learn to read. Create an inclusive environment for learners with dyslexia.

Maximize Your Professional Growth
Earn up to 46+ hours of Continuing Education (CE) certificates. Our CE certificates are widely recognized. They’re accepted by Wilson Language Systems and ALTA. They are also recognized in Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts, Alabama, and Louisiana.
For Wilson Reading System® Certified Educators, your certificate can be used for renewal. This includes Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.) and Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist (W.D.T.) credentials. You can also get up to 5 ALTA CE hours from a special ALTA track.

Your Two-Day Virtual Experience Includes:

Keynotes That Inspire: Hear from top voices in literacy and science. Get new ideas on addressing dyslexia.
Dyslexia Simulation: Experience the challenges students face firsthand. This fosters empathy and better support.
Tailored Learning Tracks: Choose sessions for Administrators, General Educators, and Specialists. Dive into discussions on school-wide literacy solutions.
Expert Presentations: Discover the latest research on the science of reading and dyslexia. Learn new classroom strategies.
EdTalks: Get actionable tips and accommodations from educators. These are concise, pre-recorded talks.
Networking: Connect with peers and share ideas. Build your professional learning community. Expand your network of dyslexia advocates.
On-Demand Access: Revisit all sessions at your convenience. You’ll have access through December 31, 2025.
Explore and Win: Visit the Expo Hall for new tools and resources. Play the live event game for a chance to win prizes!

Don’t miss the leading Spotlight on Dyslexia event of the year. Are you ready to transform literacy outcomes?
Register for on-demand access now!

How to Help Struggling Readers Access Complex Text
2025-03-27 15:30 - 16:00
Are your students struggling with grade-level texts, especially as the complexity ramps up in higher grades? Textbooks and literature become increasingly challenging in upper grades due to more intricate sentence structures, advanced vocabulary, sophisticated text organization, and abstract content. Many teachers feel forced to simplify materials for struggling readers, which can inadvertently hold students back, limiting their long-term growth and achievement.
Join literacy expert Natalie Wexler to discover how the power of oral language—including engaging read-alouds, rich class discussions, strategic use of audiobooks, and targeted oral activities—can unlock complex texts for all learners and especially struggling readers.
Learn practical tips for:
• building essential background knowledge;
• expanding vocabulary; and
• fostering deep syntactic understanding.
Let’s help all students access complex texts confidently and experience reading success!
Register now!

Great Reading Games 2025 Author Event
2025-03-04 12:00 - 13:00
Celebrate Read Across America Day and Learning Ally’s Great Reading Games!
Your whole class is invited to embark on a literacy journey with author Krista Weltner at Learning Ally’s Great Reading Games Author Event! Dive into the magic of storytelling as Weltner shares insights into her picture book series, Everyday Adventures with Molly and Dyslexia, which was inspired by her own experience growing up with dyslexia. She is also an illustrator, filmmaker, and puppet maker.
Tailored for schools, educators, and students, this virtual event celebrates Learning Ally’s Great Reading Games program and the transformative power of stories in the classroom. Don’t miss this chance to connect with a community passionate about literacy and learn from one of today’s most creative authors!
Register now!

Building a Text-Rich Environment to Support All Readers: What Leaders Need to Know
2025-02-04 15:00 - 17:00
The types of texts students encounter in school play a critical role in their reading development, yet many education leaders may not fully understand their distinct purposes and impacts. This engaging edLeader Panel demystifies the role of various text types—from traditional books and decodables to ebooks—and how each supports literacy growth.
Join literacy experts and education leaders as they discuss building a text-rich environment that supports all readers, especially those with diverse learning needs. Learn how decodable texts reinforce foundational skills, how traditional books foster comprehension and critical thinking, and how ebooks and audiobooks provide equitable access to grade-level content. Key takeaways include:

How to evaluate and select the right mix of texts for your school or district
Strategies for using text diversity to meet the needs of struggling readers and students with dyslexia
How to repurpose leveled texts
Guidance on how to match text types to student needs and abilities

Empower your educators and students with the right texts at the right time and lead your school toward stronger, more equitable literacy outcomes. This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 school leaders, district leaders, librarians, and education technology leaders.
Register now!

Understanding California's Screening Law: Impactful Use of Screening Data
2025-01-23 16:00 - 17:00
Join Learning Ally and Dr. Sarah Brown for a two-part webinar series designed to help California educators navigate the requirements and opportunities presented by the new reading difficulty screening law (Senate Bill 114).
Webinar 2 on 1/23/25: Impactful Use of Screening Data Discover how to interpret screening results, prepare educators to communicate findings, and use data to improve instruction and target interventions.
This webinar equips California educators with the tools and strategies needed to align assessment practices with legislative requirements and foster improved outcomes for all learners.
Register to watch now!

Understanding California's Screening Law: Purposeful Reading Assessment
2025-01-16 16:00 - 17:00
Join Learning Ally and Dr. Sarah Brown for a two-part webinar series designed to help California educators navigate the requirements and opportunities presented by the new reading difficulty screening law (Senate Bill 114).
Webinar 1 on 1/16/25: Purposeful Reading Assessment Learn the role of assessments in MTSS, screening for reading difficulties (including dyslexia), and how to use data to inform Tier 1 instruction.
This webinar equips California educators with the tools and strategies needed to align assessment practices with legislative requirements and foster improved outcomes for all learners.
Register to watch now!

Using an MTSS Framework for Science of Reading Implementation
2025-01-14 14:00 - 15:00
Discover how Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) can serve as a powerful framework for improving reading outcomes schoolwide. This edWebinar unpacks the essential elements of MTSS, including early intervention, data-driven instruction, and team-based decision making. Learn how to bridge general and special education, align your practices with science-based approaches, and support teachers with the tools they need to drive student success.
This session provides practical guidance on using assessments to drive instruction and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You leave equipped with strategies to drive measurable, systemwide reading gains.
Register now!

Learning Ally's Great Reading Games: Insights and Best Practices
2025-01-09 15:00 - 16:00
Join us for an engaging session exploring the transformative power of Learning Ally’s Great Reading Games, an annual event that has inspired thousands of students nationwide! Discover how this dynamic, award-winning competition leverages accessible audiobooks, gamified learning, and teacher-driven strategies to foster reading engagement, confidence, and achievement among readers who struggle, including those with dyslexia.
In this webinar, you will learn about:

Key insights from the 2024 Great Reading Games, which encouraged over 189,000 students to read 37 million pages in seven weeks.
Proven techniques for building a culture of literacy using gamified learning and reading incentives.
Practical ways to use Learning Ally’s Audiobook Solution® to empower students with learning differences to access grade-level content and excel academically.
Success stories from schools and educators who have integrated these tools to improve reading outcomes and inspire lifelong learning.

Learn how to transform your classroom into a hub of enthusiastic, lifelong readers through innovative
and inclusive practices!
Register to watch now!

The Critical Impact of “Book Language” on Reading Outcomes
2024-11-21 16:00 - 17:00
Children’s books, even those written for young readers, use language that is vastly different from the everyday speech children hear. This webinar, led by cognitive scientist Dr. Maryellen C. MacDonald, will explore why this gap exists and the significant consequences it has for children’s reading development. Learn why mastering the unique vocabulary, grammar, and storytelling conventions of “book language” is critical for reading fluency, and how typical speech patterns don’t provide the necessary foundation for success.
Education leaders will gain valuable insights on effective strategies to bridge the gap between everyday language and “book language,” enhancing literacy development through targeted, research-based approaches. Ensure your students are equipped with the skills they need to thrive as fluent, confident readers.
Key Takeaways:

Understand how “book language” differs from everyday speech in vocabulary, grammar, and storytelling.
Explore why these differences naturally occur and how they impact children’s reading fluency.
Discover effective methods, including shared reading and audiobooks, to help students master “book language” and become proficient readers.

Register to watch now!

Literacy Leadership: Implementing Science of Reading Practices that Work
2024-09-28 15:30 - 16:30
Discover how to transform your school’s literacy outcomes by effectively employing the Science of Reading. Join Dr. Brent Conway, Assistant Superintendent in the Pentucket Regional School District, as he shares practical strategies and insights to help school leaders make changes that truly drive student achievement through proven Science of Reading practices.
Explore how strong leadership can positively influence literacy outcomes across your school or district. This webinar will focus on actionable strategies for school leaders to nurture a thriving literacy culture, significantly enhance educators’ skills, and efficiently track progress in implementing Science of Reading practices.

What You’ll Learn to Implement Effective Science of Reading Practices:
Throughout this session, participants will learn how to:

Recognize Essential SoR Elements: Understand the core components of a comprehensive Science of Reading framework.
Implement a Data-Driven Approach: Discover how to use data effectively to enhance literacy instruction and monitor progress.
Establish Collaborative Partnerships: Learn to build strong partnerships that support teachers in implementing Science of Reading practices with fidelity.

Whether you hold a district leadership role, are a principal, or work as a curriculum coordinator, this webinar will empower you with the knowledge and resources to make a significant impact on student literacy progress by adopting effective Science of Reading practices.
Register to watch now!
