J and J Literacy, Tātai Angitu—Literacy at Massey University, and Lifting Literacy Aotearoa, are proud to bring to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025 the one and only Dr. Nancy Young - Reading, Spelling, Writing Specialist.

Author of the famous ‘Ladder of Reading & Writing’ and Co-Editor of the book ‘Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners’ (2024).

She will be doing a 3-city tour of New Zealand. This listing is for the Monday 20 Jan 2025 event in Christchurch/ Ōtautahi.

Start the year off learning about the need for differentiated reading and writing instruction to serve ALL your students! Who? What? Why? How?

This is a full day seminar 9.00 am - 3.30 pm split into three sessions and will include:

Nancy’s journey to creating the Ladder of Reading & Writing - the personal events and experiences as a parent and educator that led her to create the infographic and Book - and an in-depth explanation of the key features, research and terminology packed into the infographic.

An exploration of differentiation in classroom practice, referencing content within the Book ‘Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners’ (2024) and its Study Guide.

A panel discussion during which Nancy and education experts across New Zealand will address differentiated instruction for literacy. Topics of conversation to include: gaps in the research; classroom practices supporting learners with exceptionalities; and getting the next bit right in NZ from a policy and practice viewpoint.

Morning tea and lunch are included.

Details of Panel:

Panel Chair: Caroline Morritt, Resource Teacher of Literacy

Originally from the UK, Caroline has made the seaside suburb of Sumner, Ōtautahi her home with her husband Nigel, a park ranger and their two creative and fabulous daughters.

As a classroom teacher, Caroline became interested in reading and writing difficulties when she taught a class of Year 4 children she had previoulsy taught as new entrants. Many of these children still could not read or write. They hadn't "picked it up". When the science of reading was finally revealed to Caroline through her incredible masters studies at Massey University it was like a thunderbolt of understanding, anger and regret. Now a Resource Teacher of Literacy, Caroline set about spreading the word through her schools hoping to change outcomes for children with literacy learning difficulties. Luckily, the staff she works with are wonderful human beings who took on the overwhelming challenge of changing literacy teaching in their schools pioneering structured literacy approaches with very few physical resources but strong theoretical models such as Nancy Young's Ladder of Reading and Writing that kept the mahi on track. Caroline has often said she would wallpaper her home in theoretical models if she could; they are ingeniously simple representations of complex ideas. Having been part of the English Curriculum Writing Team, Caroline is hopeful we are entering a new phase of literacy teaching in Aotearoa in which the strength of the science will provide us with a steady, evolving framework for years to come.

Associate Professor Alison Arrow, University of Canterbury

Alison Arrow is an Associate Professor in literacy at the University of Canterbury. Alison co-led a longitudinal intervention project examining the effectiveness of providing teachers with more targeted literacy teaching strategies for improving child literacy outcomes. This work has contributed to wider changes to teaching literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand. She led the development of the Ready to Read Phonics Plus Series, contributed to the development of the Better Start Literacy Approach, was a member of the Ministry of Education Literacy and Communication Working Group working on the Common Practice Model, and most recently was a member of the Year 0-6 English Curriculum Writing Team. Her areas of research interest include teacher knowledge and professional development, early literacy development, reading and spelling development, and the factors influencing how young people learn.

Felicity Fahey, Deputy Principal, Kaiapoi North School

Felicity Fahey is Deputy Principal at Kaiapoi North School (KNS). Felicity and the KNS team have been on the structured literacy journey since 2019. Felicity has shared this journey with many teachers across NZ, provided PLD to many schools, and shared with RTLB. Felicity is passionate about providing best practices and support for all students and provides ongoing guidance and support, coaching teachers and leading staff professional development. As well as implementing structured literacy across the whole school, Felicity has been part of the team supporting staff with the implementation of The Writing Revolution. Felicity is committed to continuing her learning in the Science of Reading/Learning journey and how best to meet all students' learning needs. Over the last 2.5 years, Felicity has been part of the Ministry of Education team working on the Common Practice Model and the English Curriculum.

Madelaine Armstrong-Willcocks, Head of Programmes, Nuerodiversity in Education Project

Madelaine is the Head of Programmes at the Neurodiversity in Education Project, who offer specialist programmes to learners AND their teachers, with a view to creating a more neuroinclusive education system. As a specialist teacher working with gifted and neurodivergent students, she also has a strong interest in literacy development, and ensuring that structured literacy is neuroinclusive. Madelaine is a member of Ministry of Education's Gifted Advisory Group and a former NZ delegate on the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children.

TBC - Ministry of Education

Note that you do not have to have a copy of the Book or Study Guide for this session. We are offering special package deals for both with your ticket for those that wish to acquire a copy of the books. These need to be pre-ordered with your ticket (see the different ticketing options) and will be available for pick up at registration on the day (they will not be posted out before). A limited number of copies will also be available for purchase on the day at regular retail price. See J and J Literacy Shop for full details on the books.

Early Bird tickets close 7 December. After that, tickets will be $275+GST

Contact the host of Nancy Young NZ Tour 2025 - Christchurch