Literacy Conference

Back to the Basics of Literacy: Engaging and Equitable Practices to Bring Joy and Excitement Back into Learning, PreK-20

October 17, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Public Square
Molloy University (in-person)

CTLE credits awarded. 

$35 registration fee will go toward a college scholarship fund.

Molloy students attend for free; $10 fee for Non-Molloy students.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

Featuring

• Keynote :

Erik Sweet, NYSED

Executive Director of Early Learning 

• Panelists: 

Amy Benjamin, Tim Castanza, Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld, Kerry Leo, Dr. LaQuita Outlaw, Erik Sweet

• Two Workshop Sessions and a Poster Session
• Topics: 
  • The Science of Reading  (Phonics, Phonological Awareness, Fluency, Comprehension, Vocabulary, Oral Language)
  • Writing
  • Speaking and Listening
  • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity 
  • Other 

Schedule

7:00 am-8:00 am: Registration/Breakfast

8:00 am-8:20 am: Introductions & Awards

8:20 am-8:40 am: Keynote--Erik Sweet, Executive Director, Office of Early Learning

8:40 am-9:30 am: Panel Discussion--Research-Based, High-Impact Literacy Practices 

1. Dyslexia/Language-Based Challenges (P-20): Kerry Leo, Consultant and Founder of Davinci Collaborative
2. Science of Reading (P-12): Dr. LaQuita Outlaw, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Bay Shore School District
3. ELLs/MLLs: Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld (P-20), Molloy TESOL Faculty
4. Disciplinary Literacy (7-12): Amy Benjamin, Consultant
5. NYSED Policies/Guidelines: Erik Sweet, Executive Director, Office of Early Learning

9:30 am-9:45 am: Break

9:45 am-10:35 am: Session 1 (10 workshops) (Kellenberg and Wilbur Buildings)

10:35 am-10:45 am: Break

10:45 am-11:15 am: Poster Session (Lobby of Public Square)

11:15 am-11:25 am: Break

11:25 am-12:15 pm: Session 2 (10 workshops) (Kellenberg and Wilbur Buildings)

12:15 pm-12:45 pm: Session 3: Lunch and Learn (Networking Session with Panelists and Book Authors) (Larini Room in Public Square and Cameron Plaza)

12:45 pm-1 pm: Concluding Remarks/Raffle (Larini Room in Public Square)

Learning Objectives

After this program, participants will be able to:

• Name at least three new strategies they will incorporate into their curricular or clinical plans to facilitate language and literacy skills in children.
• Understand and describe the evidence base for at least one of the strategies presented. 

Speaker Disclosures
Please click here for the speaker disclosures.

Continuing Education Credits:

For Educators:

• CLTE credits (4) for teachers provided at the completion of the conference

For American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Participants:

• Each program is offered for .4 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level; Professional area). Participants will be contacted if they wish to earn ASHA CEUs. If you do, your information will be sent to ASHA CE.
• Satisfactory Completion Requirement: For Satisfactory completion, learners must fully attend conference and complete evaluation form that includes self-reflection.