2023 Governor’s Summit
This year’s Summit, Supporting Emergent Literacy Development with Evidence-based Early Language and Literacy Practices for Young Children, was held July 12-13, 2023, on the Georgia College & State University campus in Milledgeville, GA.
Sessions were held on July 12, 2023, from 12 to 4pm, followed by a celebration of the legacy of Mrs. Deal during a ticketed fundraising event, Dinner with the Deal Center, from 6:30-8:30 pm. Attendees enjoyed a night of food, music, and much more, including the unveiling of an original painting of Mrs. Deal. The Summit continued on July 13, 2023, from 8am to 4pm.
Over the course of the two day Summit, the Deal Center united leaders in education, research, policy, and community engagement to celebrate progress and galvanize state and local action toward building a network for evidence-based early language and literacy practices. The Deal Center believes Literacy Changes Lives, and now more than ever, we need to turn this promise into practice and policy.
2023 Summit Recap
Day 1
Summit Welcome
Cathy Cox, J.D. – President of Georgia College & State University
Senator Billy Hickman – Georgia State Senator, District 4
Opening Keynote Speaker
Malcolm Mitchell – Founder and CEO of Share the Magic Foundation
FIRST GENERAL SESSION
Partners Unlocking Georgia’s Future
Presented by Dr. Ryan Lee-James – Director of the Rollins Center at the Atlanta Speech School
SECOND GENERAL SESSION
The Evolution of Approaches to Reading and Literacy Instruction
Presented by Dr. Caitlin Dooley – Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children
DINNER
Deal Center Fundraising Dinner Honoring Mrs. Sandra Dunagan Deal
Unveiling of Mrs. Sandra Dunagan Deal’s Painting by GCSU Art Student Damara Sochacki
Day 2
OPENING KEYNOTE
Aligning Literacy Policy and Practices
Presented by Dr. April Aldridge – Deputy Superintendent of Georgia Department of Education
PANEL DISCUSSION
Literacy Today in Georgia and the Needs for the Future
CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Call to Action
Senator Chuck Payne – Georgia State Senator, District 54