The Decoding Dyslexia Iowa Educator Conference — Reimagined for 2026!
Based on your feedback, we’ve redesigned this year’s Decoding Dyslexia Iowa Educator Conference to deliver a more focused, flexible, and impactful experience. Our renewed emphasis on dyslexia is reflected in four dedicated content tracks: 1) Assessment and Identification, 2) Instruction and Intervention, 3) Foundational Dyslexia Knowledge, and 4) Keynote Speaker Breakouts and Vendor Workshops.
Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, interventionist, or fill another vital role, you’ll find sessions designed to meet you where you are in your dyslexia journey. New this year, attendees can choose to attend one day or both, with distinct content offered each day. Build the experience that best fits your schedule, goals, and budget. Join us for a conference shaped by your voice and built for real impact in Iowa classrooms.
Devin M. Kearns, Ph.D. is Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Devin studies early reading. He works with colleagues in psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to understand the brain basis for reading. He also develops programs to improve student reading skills, especially to help with long words and for content-area literacy in middle
school classrooms. In addition, he has researched best practices for implementing multi-tiered systems of support and developed an evidence-based system for helping students who need intensive
intervention (in Tier 3) now used in schools nationwide. Devin frequently visits schools to help them learn about reading science and improve the support systems. He has published more than 70 papers in widely read sources like the Journal of Educational Psychology, the Structured Literacy Interventions
book, and The Reading Teacher. He is the Chair-Elect of the Scientific Advisory Board of the
International Dyslexia Association. Devin has received awards for his research and advocacy from Vanderbilt University, the Windward Institute, and the University of Connecticut.
Devin M. Kearns, Ph.D. is Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Devin studies early reading. He works with colleagues in psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to understand the brain basis for reading. He also develops programs to improve student reading skills, especially to help with long words and for content-area literacy in middle
school classrooms. In addition, he has researched best practices for implementing multi-tiered systems of support and developed an evidence-based system for helping students who need intensive
intervention (in Tier 3) now used in schools nationwide. Devin frequently visits schools to help them learn about reading science and improve the support systems. He has published more than 70 papers in widely read sources like the Journal of Educational Psychology, the Structured Literacy Interventions
book, and The Reading Teacher. He is the Chair-Elect of the Scientific Advisory Board of the
International Dyslexia Association. Devin has received awards for his research and advocacy from Vanderbilt University, the Windward Institute, and the University of Connecticut.
Jeanne Schopf, M.Ed., NBCT, C-SLDI, is a literacy expert, motivational keynote speaker, and educational leader with more than 35 years of experience in pubic education. She is the editor and
contributing author of Reading Isn’t Optional: Fulfilling the Promise of Literacy for Secondary Students and has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist, and
Certified Dyslexia Interventionist (K–12). A Certified John Maxwell speaker, trainer, and coach, Jeanne
provides research-based professional development grounded in MTSS and the Science of Reading. As the Founder of Pathways Towards Literacy, she partners with schools and leaders to implement evidence-based practices, build educator capacity, and create sustainable systems that ensure every student achieves literacy success.
Jeanne Schopf, M.Ed., NBCT, C-SLDI, is a literacy expert, motivational keynote speaker, and educational leader with more than 35 years of experience in pubic education. She is the editor and
contributing author of Reading Isn’t Optional: Fulfilling the Promise of Literacy for Secondary Students and has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, Literacy Coach, Reading Specialist, and
Certified Dyslexia Interventionist (K–12). A Certified John Maxwell speaker, trainer, and coach, Jeanne
provides research-based professional development grounded in MTSS and the Science of Reading. As the Founder of Pathways Towards Literacy, she partners with schools and leaders to implement evidence-based practices, build educator capacity, and create sustainable systems that ensure every student achieves literacy success.
Nina Lorimor-Easley is a literacy consultant in the state of Iowa, specializing in language-based learning disabilities and dyslexia. She has master’s degrees in educational psychology and curriculum development with emphasis on language-based learning disabilities. Nina also completed a graduate-level certification in dyslexia from the Landmark School. Nina has personal connections to dyslexia and began her professional path in dyslexia advocacy by helping her two sons through school. Nina is a co-founder of Decoding Dyslexia Iowa, served on the Iowa Dyslexia Task Force, is the former co-owner of a private dyslexia intervention center, authored several of Iowa’s virtual dyslexia training modules with the Iowa Reading Research Center, and was instrumental in establishing the flagship Iowa Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement Program at the University of Iowa. Nina also currently has a seat on the Iowa Dyslexia Board.
Nina Lorimor-Easley is a literacy consultant in the state of Iowa, specializing in language-based learning disabilities and dyslexia. She has master’s degrees in educational psychology and curriculum development with emphasis on language-based learning disabilities. Nina also completed a graduate-level certification in dyslexia from the Landmark School. Nina has personal connections to dyslexia and began her professional path in dyslexia advocacy by helping her two sons through school. Nina is a co-founder of Decoding Dyslexia Iowa, served on the Iowa Dyslexia Task Force, is the former co-owner of a private dyslexia intervention center, authored several of Iowa’s virtual dyslexia training modules with the Iowa Reading Research Center, and was instrumental in establishing the flagship Iowa Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement Program at the University of Iowa. Nina also currently has a seat on the Iowa Dyslexia Board.
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
"Of the dozens, maybe hundreds of conferences I've attended in my career, none has come close to making such profound impacts on my understanding of what kids experience and how we can help them get more out of their time at school."
"This was the most eye-opening conference I have ever been to! It lit a fire in me to make a difference in the lives of my struggling readers. I walked away with more compassion and understanding for my students. Best of all, I now have a starting point to help them."