Literacy & Learning Annual Special Events

Professional Development and Training

The Department of Literacy and Learning and the Reading Recovery Center at Texas Woman's University has been providing professional development for literacy professionals for more than 30 years. Training, provided by tenured faculty and special guest speakers, includes the latest research, proven methods, and coming trends in literacy education for children K-6.


Literacy Professionals

Our Institutes and special events provide professional development for the following literacy professionals:

  • K-6 Classroom Teachers

  • Reading Recovery Teachers

  • Descubriendo la Lectura Teachers

  • Bilingual Educators

  • Reading Specialists/Interventionists

  • Administrators

  • Literacy Coaches

  • Special Education Teachers


About the Institutes and Special Events

The Virtual TWU Pioneer Early Literacy Series is held online via Zoom four times an academic year. This event is held on Saturday mornings for 1 1/2-3 hours with a focus on early literacy. Various timely topics are covered in an interactive format providing lecture, video, and small group activities with the presenter and other attendees.

The Annual Billie J. Askew Reading Recovery and K-6 Literacy Institute is held in the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton area. This is a 2-day Institute providing approximately 40 sessions including 2 keynote speakers and 3-5 featured speakers who are recognized professionally on the national level. The Institute also provides another 15-20 literacy professionals giving presentations on a variety of hot topics. Most attendees come from the states of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington. All are welcome to attend.

The Virtual or Regional Summer Institutes provide professional development and interactive learning for classroom teachers with a focus on a specific literacy-related topic. The institutes are often provided in partnership with a school district, held in their facilities, but open to all. Partnerships have included, Denton ISD, Dumas ISD, and Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD. Please contact the Reading Recovery Center if you are interested in partnering with TWU to offer a Regional Summer Institute in your school district during the summer months.