
59th Annual Conference of the Virginia State Literacy Association
Date: March 4, 2026, at 9:45 a.m.
Location: Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, VA
Presentation: Understanding Research on the Role of Imagery in Comprehension, and How to Develop Concept Imagery (K-8)
Presenter: Dave Kiyvyra, Director of Development for Lindamood-Bell For Schools
Description: This presentation will provide a summary of the historical and current research on the role of imagery in language comprehension and critical thinking. Educators will examine how weaknesses in Concept Imagery impact learners in the classroom and globally, and review data to make determinations of instructional needs and impacts. They will also discover and utilize pedagogical practices to develop Concept Imagery that are applicable in classrooms and small group settings. Educators will leave with knowledge of how these process-based instructional practices can be applied to Virginia standards.
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Massachusetts Conference for Special Education
Date: March 5, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. and March 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m
Location: Hotel 1610, 180 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360
Presentation: Driving Alignment in Literacy Instruction Across All Tiers to Stem Enrollment in Special Education
Presenter: Dave Kiyvyra, Director of Development for Lindamood-Bell For Schools
Description: Chicopee Public Schools in Massachusetts is experiencing a dramatic shift in their student demographics post-pandemic: simultaneous increases in special education referrals and English Learner Students. To meet the distinct needs of each student population with limited resources, the district leveraged paraprofessionals to provide intensive, tiered reading intervention. Chicopee built capacity in these educators by utilizing job-embedded professional development and a district-wide coach in partnership with Lindamood-Bell to foster instructional fidelity. We will examine the importance of sensory-cognitive functions in reading instruction and look at data to determine the impact of this instruction on both populations of students.
Visit our booth as well!
