The Big Sky Literacy Summit
Danielle 'Nell' Thompson, Terrie Noland, Timothy Odegard, Theresa Owens, and Altheria Caldera
Bruce D. Perry - Maggie Snowling - Charles Hulme - Anita Archer - Tiffany Hogan - Hugh Catts - Sonia Cabell - Ola Ozernov-Palchik - Louisa Moats - Antonio Fierro - Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan - Julie VanDyke - Deb Glaser - Timothy Odegard - Danielle 'Nell' Thompson - Lucy Hart Paulson - Terrie Noland - Leslie Laud - Carol Tolman - Michelle Elia - Daryl Michel - Nancy Eberhardt - Theresa Owens - Laura Stewart - Amy Siracusano - Elizabeth Doherty - Linda Farrell - Michael Hunter - Margaret Goldberg - Paul Black - Craig Buscher - Nickie Dubbs - Altheria Caldera - Andrea Setmeyer - Joan Kelley - MaryKate DeSantis - Justin Browning - Brittany Brewer - Shelby Damaskos - Jeanne Schopf - Ana Dodson - Judi Dodson
The 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Summits were the beginning of change for 2,000 educators, literacy leaders, intentional partners, and research scientists in 48 states and three countries. These Summits collectively planted seeds of change that resulted in unprecedented results at the personal, child, school, and district levels for many who attended, including these voices from the field - Louisa Moats, Hugh Catts, Dawn Brookhart, Margie Gillis, Tanner Butterfield, T'Shaka Bailey, Christine Trcka, Julie Dinan, and Theresa Owens . Let their wisdom remind you of the power of knowledge when it empowers change and come join us for the 2025 Summit experience.
Language is Everything!
The 5th Anniversary Big Sky Literacy Summit - Language is Everything! is built for a collective impact in education that will elevate thinking related to:
Because we know that change in literacy outcomes depends on more than an educator knowing how to teach reading, and we are at a place in history where the science of reading is defined and has become the foundation for many of our literacy expectations, we are in a position as leaders to move towards searching for reasons why we might be wrong—not for reasons why we must be right—and revising our views based on what we have learned. After all, as Adam Grant notes, “The purpose of learning isn't to affirm our beliefs; it's to evolve our beliefs. We all have blind spots in our knowledge and opinions.”
We at Big Sky care more about evolving our thinking to understand why things are not working and how to create a more socially significant impact in your lives, your schools, your districts, and around the world!
August 6, 7, 8 and 9 - The general program is as follows:
August 6 - 8:30 - 3:45 - Transformation Day - This is a thought-leading day with Dr. Bruce Perry, a game-changing neuropsychologist. This will be a day like none other as we work to transform our thinking around the language foundations of life and literacy and how the impacts of what has happened to us can help us understand how to be more positive and supported educational ecosystems for all students.
August 7 - 7:45 - 5:00 - Literacy Grand Rounds Day 1 - Breakfast starts at 6:00 am, sessions from 7:45 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:45, lunch at 11:30-1:00, snacks at 2:30-3:30 with plenty of opportunity to meet with many SOR Partners ready to support your classroom needs.
August 8 - 7:45 - 5:00 - Literacy Grand Rounds Day 2 - Breakfast starts at 6:00 am, sessions from 7:45 - 11:45, lunch at 11:45-1:00, 1:00 - 5:00 - afternoon grand rounds.
August 9 - 7:45 - 12:00 - Implementation Science Symposium
Once registered, you'll receive more information around the second week of July, including summit session descriptions.
If you haven't said "yes" yet, it's time to up-level your learning and join us at the 2025 Big Sky Literacy Summit where we honor the work of the great leaders, mentors and teachers who know the way and will show the way to a brighter and more loving future.
The Summit is addressing the Science of Reading (SoR), leading, and teaching through the perspectives of four groups of teachers: mentor scientists and influencers who have shaped the field and the work we do; the translators and leaders of SoR into complex school ecosystems; and practitioners and school leaders applying their knowledge of the sciences of literacy transformation. Learn more about the mentors, mentor leaders, and teachers you will learn from by reading about who they are and what they believe.
Planning for The Summit is nearing completion and we are grateful you are joining this remarkable experience. All the sessions are being curated and planned for the collective effect that will take you from Transformation Day to Literacy Grand Rounds and a comprehensive session on Implementation Science with the Mentor Scientists, Mentor Leaders, and Mentor Teachers. The initial outline of the schedule is posted from February - July and then a final session schedule will be posted in July via the link below.
Because The Summit has a world-class lineup of speakers, we thought you should enjoy it in an epic location, the Yellowstone Conference Center at Big Sky Resort, Montana. Please get your on-site discounted rooms at the below link, or look at other room options. Also, learn more about the adventures that await you at Big Sky by clicking on the Big Sky Logo.
The Summit will be held in Big Sky, Montana. Planning where you are staying and how you are getting there is important! PLEASE PLAN your transfers from the airport by linking below. The daily events are at the Yellowstone Conference Center in Big Sky Mountain Village. The Center is attached to the Shoshone Condominium Hotel and Huntley Lodge and is close to the Village Center, Summit Hotel, or The Lodge at Big Sky. Big Sky Meadow Village is the next closest option, but will require a 10 min drive.
"I wanted to write to say thank you. I was thinking about how much you've impacted me and my instruction since I came to the first Structured Literacy Summer Institute. I remember feeling like I knew my instruction and our systems at Hawthorne needed improvement but, I also felt so overwhelmed and like I didn't know where to begin. Your teaching, articles, book clubs, and events like the Summit have been so powerful. I loved leaving on Saturday feeling like I knew some things that were going great in my classroom, some simple things to make my instruction better on Monday, and some big thoughts on long-term instructional goals. Thanks for all you do to make us better!"