Dr. Anita Archer
Anita Archer serves as an educational consultant to state departments and school districts on explicit instruction and literacy. She has presented in all 50 states and many countries, including Australia, and is the recipient of 10 awards honoring her contributions to education. Dr. Archer has served on the faculties of three universities: the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, and San Diego State University. She has co-authored numerous curriculum materials, including PHONICS for Reading (Curriculum Associates), a three-level intervention program, and a best-selling textbook, Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching (Guilford Publications).
Sponsored by Curriculum Associates
Melody Ilk, M.A.
Melody Ilk, M.A., is a national literacy consultant with years of successful experience in schools and districts around the country. Melody has a strong history of involvement in the implementation of scientifically based literacy practices, school improvement systems, and the infrastructures necessary for increased literacy performance. Melody is an approved consultant in numerous states and guides schools through the construction of scientifically based literacy systems and infrastructures through assessment, data analysis, differentiated tiers of instruction, and shared leadership. This work with educators, administrators, and superintendents has led to significant gains in literacy achievement and instructional effectiveness in all tiers of instruction. Melody has been a LETRS facilitator since the release of the first edition and is the lead author and facilitator for LETRS for Administrators. She is also a coauthor and facilitator for A Principal’s Primer for Raising Reading Achievement, both through Lexia Learning.
Dr. Devin M. Kearns
Devin M. Kearns, Ph.D. is Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Devin studies early reading. He works with colleagues in psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to understand the brain basis for reading. He also develops programs to improve student reading skills, especially to help with long words and for content-area literacy in middle school classrooms. In addition, he has researched best practices for implementing multi-tiered systems of support and developed an evidence-based system for helping students who need intensive intervention (in Tier 3) now used in schools nationwide. Devin frequently visits schools to help them learn about reading science and improve the support systems. He has published more than 70 papers in widely read sources like the Journal of Educational Psychology, the Structured Literacy Interventions book, and The Reading Teacher. He is the Chair-Elect of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Dyslexia Association. Devin has received awards for his research and advocacy from Vanderbilt University, the Windward Institute, and the University of Connecticut.
Sponsored by Curriculum Associates
Dr. Louisa Moats
Louisa Moats, Ed.D., has been a teacher, psychologist, researcher, graduate school faculty member, and author of many influential scientific journal articles, books, and policy papers on the topics of reading, spelling, language, and teacher preparation. Dr. Moats is the lead author of LETRS Professional Development and the textbook, Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers. Dr. Moats is also author of LANGUAGE!Live, a blended instructional program for middle and high school students, and co-author of Spellography, a structured language word study program for intermediate students. Dr. Moats’ awards include the prestigious Samuel T. and June L. Orton award from the International Dyslexia Association for outstanding contributions to the field; the Eminent Researcher Award from Learning Disabilities Australia; and the Benita Blachman award from the Reading League.
Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson
Lucy Hart Paulson, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, is an author and literacy specialist with a mission of bringing research to practice. She is also a speech-language pathologist with many years of experience working with educators and with young children and their families in a wide range of educational settings. In addition, Lucy was an associate professor teaching and conducting research in the areas of language and literacy development and disorders. She provides professional development using a broad-based perspective blending areas of language and literacy together resulting in effective, appropriate, and engaging language-based literacy instruction and intervention for all children. Finally, Lucy is the co-author of the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) for Early Childhood Educators, 2nd Edition; Building Early Literacy and Language Skills, a resource and activity guide for young children; and for Good Talking Words, 2nd Edition, a social communication skills program for young children.
Laura Stewart
Laura Stewart is an educator and organizational leader. She has served as a classroom teacher, building and district administrator, adjunct professor, and director of numerous professional development initiatives around the country. Before joining 95 Percent Group, Laura was the Chief Innovation Officer with The Reading League and the Chief Academic Officer for Professional Development at Highlights for Children. Laura presents nationally and internationally and has written for numerous organizations and publications, including co-authoring The Everything Guide to Informational Text K-2; Best Texts, Best Practices. She hosted the podcast “Teaching, Reading, and Learning: The TRL Podcast.” Laura serves on several advisory boards and was formerly a certified LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) facilitator. Laura’s position as the Chief Academic Officer at 95 Percent Group suits her perfectly, as her passion is empowering educators to positively impact ALL students and ultimately change the course of literacy achievement in this country.
Dr. Stephanie Stollar
Stephanie Stollar is passionate about using MTSS as the framework for helping all students become skilled readers. She’s the founder of the Reading Science Academy, an online community where over a thousand educators support each other to improve results in their schools. Dr. Stollar also advises the next generaCon of educaCon policy leaders in her role as an assistant professor at Mount St. Joseph University. She served as a Vice President at Acadience Learning, provided training and consultaCon to hundreds of school districts, worked as an Assistant Professor of School Psychology, and as a School Psychologist. Dr. Stollar believes that by supporCng all educators, high achievement is possible for every student.
Dr. Anne Whitney
Anne Whitney, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and special educator focusing on the impact of oral language on literacy development. With years of experience in research and practice, Dr. Whitney will share insights on the hidden disability, Developmental Language Disorders (DLD), which often co-occurs with dyslexia. Don’t miss Dr. Whitney’s session at Literacy Reimagined 2026 for a deeper understanding of the impact of oral language on literacy.