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#OSLA19

Annual Conference

#OSLA19 is Culturally Responsive Literacy

Thank you for attending #OSLA19! Click here to access conference resources from our presenters.

Your feedback helps us to make the conference even better next year! 

Feedback Form - Friday

Feedback Form - Saturday

Thank you to everyone for making this year's conference amazing!

February 8-9, 2019

in Portland, OR

Through December 15
Members $195Non-members $230After December 15 
Members $225Non-members $260
+$30 if attending author luncheon on Saturday (see info below)
Zaretta Hammond

Zaretta Hammond

Zaretta Hammond is a national education consultant, author and former writing teacher who focuses on making culturally responsive pedagogy understandable and practical for educators.

Dawnnesha W. Lasuncet

Dawnnesha W. Lasuncet is an Education Equity Specialist and former elementary school teacher from Los Angeles, California who currently provides professional development and instructional coaching for administrators and educators in the state of Oregon. Her work with students and families includes participation in and employment with non-profit organizations and grassroots communities dedicated solely to the wellness of historically under-served populations, as well as addressing educational inequities in systems and institutions. 
Alex Gino

Alex Gino

Alex Gino loves glitter, ice cream, gardening, awe-ful puns, and stories that reflect the diversity and complexity of being alive. They would take a quiet coffee date with a friend over a loud and crowded party any day. Alex is proud to have been an activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ communities since 1997. Born and raised on Staten Island, NY, they now enjoy living in Oakland, CA. Alex is author of middle grade novels You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P! and the Stonewall Award-winning George

Friday, February 8th 

 7:15am Check in & continental breakfast    8am - 3:45pm Conference

Full-Day Workshop with Zaretta Hammond

Reading is the Epicenter of Equity: 

Using Culturally Responsive Teaching Design Principles to Build Literacy

Zaretta Hammond's book Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain

In order to be college and career ready, students must be reading and writing at high levels. Yet, too many of our diverse students continue to struggle with literacy.  

In this presentation, Ms. Hammond will examined the ways in which we can support students to build their skill and capacity as powerful readers using culturally responsive design principles. 


In this day-long workshop, she shared how to:

Saturday, February 9th

    7:45am Continental breakfast    8:30am - 2:30pm Conference  

Morning Keynote: Dawnnesha Lasuncet , ODE Office of Equity & Inclusion 

Saturday Luncheon with author Alex Gino 

8 Super Saturday Afternoon Breakout Sessions


Offered at grade bands K-5 and 6-12, linking to the conference theme of Culturally Responsive Literacy!
+ Exhibit hall featuring educational publishers and literacy organizations
Alex Gino's book George

Alex Gino joined us for lunch on Saturday to discuss how books act as tools for kids to engage in important conversations (that adults are often nervous to have with them!). Alex also read from their latest book and signed books, too!


Books will be available at the conference to purchase. Plated lunch provided with your registered lunch ticket.

Thank You

This conference is organized by volunteers, many of whom are full-time teachers. In particular, if you see OSLA Professional Development Chair, Beth Elliott, please thank her for all she has done to make this conference happen.

We'd also like to thank our sponsors: Scholastic, American Reading Company, and Curriculum Puzzle.

And last but definitely not least, thank YOU for attending. Your participation in the OSLA conference helps support growing literacy in Oregon and helps us continue to provide grants, professional development, and more to members across the state.