2021 GOVERNOR’S SUMMIT ON EARLY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY: A VIRTUAL EVENT
Literacy Changes Lives: Advocate for Literacy Equity for Every Child in your Community and State
The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy cordially invites you to join us on June 16, 2021 for the virtual Governor’s Summit on Early Language and Literacy: Literacy Changes Lives. This day-long seminar will focus on advocating for literacy equity for every child in your community and state.
This year’s summit is designed to convene state and local policy leaders, educators, community leaders, parents, and researchers to explore the impact of cross-sector collaboration, the alignment of organizations, and the implementation of evidence-based practices aligned with the science of reading on improving early language and literacy outcomes for children from birth to age eight.
To accomplish these goals, the summit will provide insight on operationalizing ideas to practice, by equipping participants to return to their communities with practical, innovative solutions for improving literacy equity. We look forward to you joining us to advocate for equitable access to resources, opportunities, and high-quality instruction that advances literacy achievement for all Georgia’s children!
Opening Plenary Summit Welcome
Dr. Theresa Magpuri-Lavell, Executive Director, Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy
Commissioner: Amy Jacobs, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
Governor Brian Kemp: Video Address
Dr. Holley Roberts, Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs & Director of The Graduate School Georgia College & State University
Opening Keynote: What Matters – Promising Practices in Early Language and Literacy Enhancement
Dr. J. Helen Perkins, Professor of Literacy, Instruction & Curriculum Leadership The University of Memphis
Strand 1 – Advocate for Cross-sector Collaboration
Session 1. Collective Impact As a Tool for Systems Change
Junious Williams, JD, Principal of Junious Williams Consulting, Inc. (JWC)
Session 2. Collaboration in the Valley: A Case Study of The Basics
Grace Nagel, Director, The Basics Chattahoochee Valley
Helena Coates, Chair, Birth to Pre-K Committee
Warren B. Steele II, Chapter Chair, Ferst Readers of Muscogee County
Strand 2 – Advocate for Quality Adult-Child Interaction and Language Nutrition
Session 1. Language as a Missing Link & Missed Opportunity
Arianne Weldon, Strategic Innovation Manager and Get Georgia Reading Campaign Director, Georgia Family Connection Partnership
Dr. Garry McGiboney, Executive Director, Government and Education Programs, Sharecare, Inc.
Session 2. Project GLOW (Growing Language Outcomes Within Family Child Care)
Dr. Rhiana Mason, Research Scientist Urban Child Study Center, College of Education and Human Development, Georgia State University
Strand 3 – Advocate for Evidence-based Practice Aligned with the Science of Reading
Session 1. A Comprehensive Model for Building Teacher Capacity in Foundational Reading and Student Engagement
Dr. Debbie Alexander, Executive Director, CSRA RESA
Session 2. Literacy Mentoring for Leadership Program Impact Study Key Findings
Dr. Theresa Magpuri-Lavell, Executive Director, Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy
Dr. Grant Smith, Chair of Doctoral Programs & Associate Professor of Research Design and Statistics, Bellarmine University
Garrett Cook, Data Analyst 1, Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy
Session 3. Literacy for Georgia
Dr. Caitlin McMunn Dooley, Deputy Superintendent Georgia Department of Education
Closing Plenary
Teacher Preparation and Equity, Dr. Cynthia Bolton Gary, Associate Vice Chancellor Educator Preparation and Policy University System of Georgia
Mrs. Sandra Dunagan Deal Former First Lady of Georgia
Closing Keynote: Principles for Creating Meaningful and Equitable Literacy Learning: Establishing early literacy systems of change, Dr. Gary Bingham, Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Director of Urban Child Study Center Georgia State University