Unlock your students' learning potential with the power of the Science of Reading. Recent data from the NWEA highlights the critical importance of effective reading instruction, particularly for third grade students and younger who were hardest hit by pandemic school closures and have been slowest to rebound in foundational literacy skills. Join us to learn more about Brain Science and how to apply it in your district to reach all students and accelerate learning.

Our expert panel will explore:

• The brain science behind learning to read and why it’s so hard! 
• How one district is approaching integrating explicit, systematic phonics and phonemic awareness instruction to accelerate critical reading development through multimodal strategies.
• How the Square Panda Literacy System brings together technology and the Science of Reading to engage students with multisensory learning.

Speakers

Director of Data & Learning Analytics at Square Panda

Dr. Oliver Sawi is a cognitive neuroscientist and the Director of Data & Learning Analytics at Square Panda. His core expertise lies at the intersection of literacy education and brain research on individual differences in reading development; changes in brain function due to in-classroom reading intervention and dual immersion instruction, and dyslexia. His work focuses on translating curriculum into measurable data, working to bridge educator and engineering teams. He is currently driving learning analytics at Square Panda, including adaptive learning design, curricular based metrics and visualizations, and product efficacy research.

Penny L. Brooks

School Readiness & Literacy Coordinator at Dinwiddie County Public Schools

As the School Readiness & Literacy Coordinator for Dinwiddie County Public Schools, Ms. Penny L. Brooks oversees the school division’s preschool program, English Learners program, and elementary literacy including reading curriculum resources, tiered supports, and early reading interventions. Brooks has over 30 years in public education serving first as a classroom teacher and then moving on to hold various leadership roles; such as, a Coordinator of Assessment and Remediation, Head Start Director, Assistant Principal, and elementary school Principal. Brooks' impact on countless families’ educational journey is what she is most passionate about, “Every child deserves an education that will last them a lifetime.”

Danette Irvin

Title I Lead Literacy Interventionist at Dinwiddie County Public Schools

Danette Irvin is the Title I Lead Literacy Interventionist for Dinwiddie County Public Schools.  Most of her classroom teaching experience has been in Kindergarten. She has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Over the last 9 years, Danette has worked in the Title I department, first as a Title I Reading Interventionist and now as the Title I Lead Literacy Interventionist.  She is a big advocate for multisensory learning opportunities to help build the foundations needed to be a successful reader .

Questions? Contact us here!