With New York’s Science of Reading mandate reshaping educator preparation, secondary EPPs face urgent questions about disciplinary literacy — yet methods courses may not be prepared to meet them. Drawing on adolescent literacy research and a science methods and literacy collaboration this presentation examines this gap, offering a practical response model.
Emily Hayden is formerly an Association Professor in Literacy Education in the School of Education, Iowa State University; and currently a Literacy Specialist for the Strategic Education Research Partnership (serpinstitute.org). At SERP she develops curriculum and supports implementation... Read More →
Wednesday October 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am EDT Coesa Room
Presentation shares empirical study where veteran special education teachers (SETs) with ≤ 5 years of experience drafted letters to a novice SET. In doing so, the study sought to examine: (a) what motivated veteran SETs as they started out; (b) what continued to motivate veteran SETs to stay in the field; and (c) what motivational strategies/advice veterans tend to use.
The purpose of this presentation is to focus on the unique benefits of free play with open-ended materials in childhood. This is important given the fact that children have limited opportunities for free play in and outside of school (Gray, 2011; Yang et al., 2025). I utilize research collected through observations of free play at a nature-based early childhood program, coupled with the CASEL framework (2020), to demonstrate how free play is positioned to foster self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, social awareness, and relationship skills. I explain why focusing on socio-emotional wellbeing is critical in today's mental health landscape (CDC, 2024; WHO, 2025).
This panel presentation explores a partnership between Bank Street Graduate School of Education and Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES to strengthen educational leader preparation. Grounded in progressive pedagogy, authentic fieldwork, and regional context, the collaboration prepares aspiring leaders to advance equity, innovation, reflective practice, and responsive leadership in changing suburban communities.
