My fellow educators,
I can't wait to see you at PETAA's 2024 Leading with Literacy Conference!
The program for this year’s Conference is the best I have seen over the past few years. As we discover more and more about the reading process, we have to remain current with our own learning. That’s why this year’s conference is so critical.
We all want students to engage in reading for pleasure but we have to make sure we support students to gain the skills they need to read fluently and make meaning from what they have read. The three aspects of learning, meaning and pleasure flow from each other and culminate in that amazing adventure we know reading can become.
Participants will find something of interest no matter their situation. Whether you are looking to explore current research, evidence-based practices or how to increase student engagement in reading, you will find a speaker to inspire you, with international speakers such as Professor Timothy Shanahan and Professor Teresa Cremin sharing their expertise alongside Australian experts in reading.
I am particularly keen to hear from Sally Rippin and Emily Rodda, authors whose work I have always enjoyed. I believe Polly and Buster, written by Sally, should be a shared reading text in every Year 1 and 2 classroom! Emily’s career speaks for itself. Such a prolific writer across a range of genres. One of our national treasures!
I am also very pleased the conference will allow educators to learn more about explicit instruction and about how we can support developing readers using the findings from our academic speakers. The more we learn, the more we can support our students.
Hearing from local school leaders and experts provides us with examples of the practical application of research and skills learned. We can see how we might apply this knowledge in our own contexts. We can also see the big picture of why we do what we do.
I encourage you to attend this year’s conference. I am confident that you will leave inspired by our speakers and by the professional conversations you will have with colleagues and fellow participants. I can’t wait!!
Michelle Bradley
Head of Professional Learning, PETAA