2026 Symposium

Registration & refreshments: 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. 

Opening remarks: 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

• Lisa Garcia, Associate Vice President of External Partnerships, WMU  
• Michael Evans, Executive Director, KLC 

Session descriptions: 

8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Dyslexia and the Science of Reading: What Everyone Should Know  
Presenter: Meagan Walsh, Ph.D.
Dyslexia is a specific-learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that is estimated to effect nearly 1 in 5 people. In this session, we’ll learn about how the brain learns to read, how disabilities like dyslexia can make that learning hard, and what science suggests works best when helping learners with dyslexia achieve their academic, career, and life goals. We’ll also address some common myths and misconceptions that get in the way of helping learners with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Neighborhood-based Literacy in Action 
Presenter: Michael D. Evans
The Kalamazoo Literacy Council strives to improve literacy outcomes and increase awareness about adult literacy in ways that can be seen and felt in the community. This session will share examples of neighborhood-based literacy activities such as the creation of literacy trails, incorporating literacy in community gardens, and integrating art and literacy in public places. It will also feature an example of a multi-agency collaborative that supports the literacy growth of children, parents, and families called the Kalamazoo Literacy Pathway.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Boosting Fluency and Confidence in Adult Readers
Presenter: Esther Gray, Ph.D.
After a focus on explicit phonics instruction, how can we guide our readers when they take steps forward into more independent reading activities and more complex material? This session will offer (1) strategies for positive conversations with learners about their strengths, (2) effective tactics learners can use to strengthen their comprehension, and (3) activities tutors can use to engage learners’ thinking and actions as they move into higher challenges.

12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
From Passion to Practice: Volunteer Stories from the Field 
Facilitator: Kito Jumanne-Marshall
Volunteer tutors are essential for providing tutoring and instruction services for adult learners to meet their goals. The tutor faculty of the Kalamazoo Literacy Council is composed of volunteers with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences that help create a vibrant learning community for adult learners. This panel will share the perspectives of a broad range of tutors– from Master Tutors with many years in the field, to volunteers who are still new in their learning journey. The panel may also include volunteers who specialize in instruction areas such as English as a Second Language, Book Clubs, and other areas.

12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Literacy Without Limits: The Community Literacy Center Model
Presenter: Michael D. Evans 
Learning services should be accessible to all adults who want to learn to read. Community Literacy Centers (CLCs) extend access to a variety of settings – from churches, housing complexes, homeless shelters, libraries, and employer work sites, among others. CLCs provide adult learners with flexible opportunities to learn in classes, groups, one-on-one tutoring, and self-paced instruction supported by volunteer tutors. This session will share strategies on how to provide various types of instruction for adult learners of multiple levels using the CLC Model developed by the Kalamazoo Literacy Council. Attendees will learn how quality adult literacy services can be present in every neighborhood or community that needs it to help close the literacy opportunity gap.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00p.m.
Empowering Families: Storytelling as a Tool for Literacy and Career Growth
Presenters: Laura Teichert, Ph.D., Elizabeth Isidro, Ph.D., Robyn Edwards, Ph.D., Wendy O’Connor, Ph.D., Jennifer Holley, Ph.D.
Oral reading and storytelling can be powerful strategies for developing an interest and competency in reading for children and adults. Having experience and skills in these strategies can help parents and adult learners become confident in reading. It can also create career pathways for future teachers and Early Learning Professionals who want to work in Early Care and Education. This session will focus on how to integrate oral reading and storytelling in childcare, family literacy, and adult education settings. It will also show how delivering these activities can positively impact children and their families as well as prepare future teachers and childcare professionals for the workforce.