Dyslexia Therapy Conference at MC reveals keys for language-learning success
Academic-language therapists, educators, administrators, and others eager to know best practices when working with students who have language-learning differences and other learning challenges will gather at Mississippi College on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 18 and 19, for the 2025 Fall Dyslexia Conference.
The MC Dyslexia and Evaluation Center’s sixth joint conference, “The Keys to Success: Educating, Empowering, Excelling,” is set to take place in Anderson Hall on the second floor of the B.C. Rogers Student Center. The event is a joint effort between the Center, the Mississippi College School of Education and Human Sciences, and the Mississippi Chapter of ALTA (Academic Language Therapy Association).
Jan Hankins, director of the Center, said attendees will hear from experts in the field of dyslexia who will discuss the latest research and implementation strategies.
“The conference will allow them to visit the Mississippi College Dyslexia Education and Evaluation Center, experience MC’s unique campus and explore Olde Towne Clinton,” Hankins said. “It is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on MC and the excellent programs of study – including the M.Ed. in Dyslexia Therapy – offered here.”
Thursday’s keynote speakers will include Kari Kurto, National Science of Reading project director at the Reading League, and Dr. LaKeisha Davis, a licensed professional counselor, nationally certified clinician and U.S. Army veteran.
During her presentation, “Conducting a Literacy Symphony: Evidence-based Practices in Harmony,” Kurto will address the overwhelming amount of information educators and leaders receive upon implementing evidence-based instruction.
“The science of reading is a vast interdisciplinary body of scientifically based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing,” Hankins said. “This research has been conducted over the last five decades across the world, and it is derived from thousands of studies conducted in multiple languages.”
Davis’ talk, “Unplug and Unwind: Breaking Free from Digital Anxiety,” inspired by the bestseller of the same name by Jonathan Haidt, will cover how unplugging from the constant stream of information from digital devices and social media can allow students to reconnect to loved ones and the real world.
“It’s a message that every parent, grandparent and educator needs to hear,” Hankins said.
Breakout sessions that day will include a dyslexia simulation, a professional development exercise, a dyslexia workshop for parents and educators, a town hall-style discussion and a research-driven session on vocabulary instruction.
On Friday, Ameer Baraka, an award-winning actor, author and dyslexia advocate, and Kristen Wynn, head of the AIM Institute for Learning and Research, will give keynote talks.
Hankins said Baraka, author of “Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia,” “has a powerful story to tell about his journey with dyslexia,” while Wynn, the former state literacy director for K-12, “will explore how to build a literacy foundation designed to withstand the challenges that derail student success.
“I am also excited that Wynn Danielson, a former therapy student, will share his dyslexia journey story.”
The conference costs $150 for the Thursday sessions, $150 for the Friday sessions, and $275 for both days. Costs include meal tickets for lunch in the MC Cafeteria. Registration will begin each day at 7:15 a.m., with the program to follow at 8. Continuing education is available.
For more information or to register for the conference, click here.
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