WY TeacherCon

As a secondary literacy specialist, and middle & high school English teacher I understand the demands of curriculum maps and pacing guides as well as the challenges of inheriting struggling adolescent readers in a tier 1 classroom. I've done the work and can model and explain how it can be done.
This session stands out because it tackles a critical—but often neglected—component of adolescent literacy: oral reading fluency in secondary classrooms. While fluency is widely emphasized in elementary settings, many middle and high school educators assume it is either already mastered or only relevant for struggling readers. This session challenges that misconception by clearly connecting oral reading fluency to comprehension, confidence, and academic success across all content areas.
What makes this session especially compelling is its practical, cross-curricular focus. Rather than presenting fluency as a stand-alone intervention, participants will experience modeled routines that seamlessly integrate into English language arts, science, social studies, and other secondary classrooms. Attendees will not just hear about strategies—they will see them in action, participate in them, and leave with ready-to-use tools that require minimal preparation and instructional time.
The session is uniquely valuable because it:
Bridges research and practice by clearly explaining the “why” behind fluency instruction for adolescents while immediately translating that research into classroom routines.
Addresses common misconceptions that often prevent secondary educators from prioritizing fluency.
Provides low-risk, engaging instructional approaches that build student confidence without embarrassing or stigmatizing older learners.
Supports both core classroom teachers and interventionists, making it broadly applicable.
Educators should choose this session because it offers something rare at the secondary level: concrete, realistic strategies that can be implemented the very next day to improve comprehension and engagement. Participants will leave not only understanding the importance of oral reading fluency, but equipped with actionable routines that help students become more fluent, confident, and capable readers in every content area.