NM PED 2026 Literacy and Humanities Summer Conference: Full Schedule

7:00am MDT

Registration/Sign-In/Breakfast

Wednesday June 3, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am MDT

Room 01 - Ballroom/General Session KEYNOTES

Wednesday June 3, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am MDT
Room 01 - Ballroom/General Session KEYNOTES

8:00am MDT

Keep on Going: The 3 Rhythms That Help Educators Stay Rooted, Renewed, and Resilient

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am MDT

Room 01 - Ballroom/General Session KEYNOTES

TBA

Keynote Speakers

Mickey Smith Jr.

MORE THAN JUST A SPEAKER. MORE THAN JUST A MUSICIAN. HE'S THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE TO ENGAGE, EDUCATE & ELEVATE YOUR PEOPLE.

Mickey Smith Jr. is a Grammy Music Educator Award winner, 8-time Teacher of the Year, and full-time educator who helps staff reconnect with the purpose behind their profession. When he is not working in his classroom as a full-time teacher at a K–12 preparatory school, he spends... Read More →

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am MDT
Room 01 - Ballroom/General Session KEYNOTES

Keynote

8:00am MDT

Teaching Reading with Complex Text Across the Grades

Thursday June 4, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am MDT

Room 01 - Ballroom/General Session KEYNOTES

For generations, teachers have been told that it was essential that students be taught at their reading levels. This has led to a plethora of assessments, text leveling systems, and small group instructional routines. However, research shows that this approach is not best for kids. Higher reading achievement can be accomplished with more challenging texts and different teaching routines. This presentation explores that research and proposes alternative practical approaches to teaching reading comprehension using challenging texts.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Timothy Shanahan

Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Chicago

Timothy Shanahan is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Previously, he was director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools, and Visiting Research Professor at Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is author/editor of more than... Read More →

Thursday June 4, 2026 8:00am - 9:15am MDT
Room 01 - Ballroom/General Session KEYNOTES

NM PED 2026 Literacy and Humanities Summer Conference

7:00am MDT

8:00am MDT

Mickey Smith Jr.

8:00am MDT

Dr. Timothy Shanahan

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