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 Friday 24 Jan 2025 event in Palmerston North / Papaoiea.

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 experts representing exceptionalities 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 Panellists:

Dr Christine Braid, Tātau Angitu Literacy Massey University

Christine is an educator with both practical and research experience. She was a classroom teacher for 12 years and has been involved in teacher education with Massey University for over 20 years. Christine leads the Tātai Angitu Literacy team and works across Aotearoa New Zealand to support teachers in implementing practice that improves outcomes for learners. Along with teaching qualifications, Christine has completed a Diploma of Children’s Literature, a MEd focused on using picture books for discussion, and a PhD focused on the explicit approach for teaching reading. She is pleased to have worked with Dr Helen Walls for the book Teaching writing, spelling, and grammar. Christine has participated in panels and groups including the Minister of Education’s most recent Advisory Group and the NZ Curriculum refresh. Her day to day work involves supporting teachers to improve their knowledge and practice to get the best outcomes for all learners in literacy. The in-school work mostly focuses onyears 0-8 but she also has experience with improving literacy competency across subjects in secondary schools. As the Panel Chair, Christine will aim to foster a discussion that expands on Nancy’s message by utilising the breadth and depth of expertise from the panel participants.

Vicki Nelson, Lead Adviser, Curriculum Centre, Ministry of Education

Vicki Nelson is the Lead Adviser Literacy for Te Poutāhū, the Ministry of Education’s Curriculum Centre. Her commitment to improving literacy outcomes stems from seeing the impact of dyslexia on family members. Vicki’s background includes primary teaching as well as tutoring students with dyslexia. Since joining the Ministry, she has contributed to a wide range of literacy projects including developing criteria for identifying effective literacy resources for dyslexic learners, strengthening the Ready to Read Phonics Plus suite of resources, trialling structured literacy approach interventions for learners in years 3 - 8 who need additional support, developing the Phonics Check, and writing English learning area content for the Curriculum refresh.

Regan Orr, Principal and Leadership Advisor on secondment to Ministry of Education

Regan Orr has been the principal of three different schools over a 14-year period. Currently, he is on secondment from his principal position at Central Normal School/Te Kura Tuatahi o Papaioea, as a Leadership Advisor at the Ministry of Education. As a Principal, Regan is incredibly passionate about leading teaching and learning, growing teacher capability and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our tamariki. As a Leadership Advisor, Regan provides strategic and transformational leadership and support to school principals, to lead change across a wider sector. The enduring whakatauki - He aha te mea nui o tea o? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata, drives his passion and decision making.

Dr Kate Rowntree, Resource Teacher of Literacy

Dr Kate Rowntree is a Resource Teacher of Literacy in Ahuriri/Napier. She has previously worked within the UAE Abu Dhabi Government as an English Education Advisor. Her role involved supporting teachers to implement a new English curriculum as part of widespread educational reform. While there, she contributed to the content of end of year English exams, and was a member of the English Curriculum writing team. She returned to the Hawke’s Bay in 2013 to take up the role of Resource Teacher of Literacy, while at the same time completing her PhD. Like many educators, she couldn’t ignore the fact that despite her beliefs about how children learn to read, the research contradicted many of these and she had to grapple with the cognitive dissonance familiar to so many educators. For the past five years, she has been active in encouraging and supporting schools to implement a structured approach to teaching literacy. She has engaged in widespread research and professional learning to improve her own knowledge about the science of reading, writing and learning and is passionate about passing this on to teachers ‘at the coal face’. Kate has provided PLD to many schools in Napier who wanted to align their literacy instruction with the research on how children learn to read and write. Kate feels enormously privileged to be in a position where she can provide advice, support and resources to the fabulous and dedicated teachers she works with. Most of all, she is grateful for the opportunity to influence the futures of children who may struggle to learn to read and write. What is so exciting to her is that not one of them need be left behind, any longer.

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 - Palmerston North