Dr. Antonio Fierro
Keynote Presentation
Our Living Language Laboratory
A periodic table arranges the basic substances that make up all matter by specific features, the number of protons in each atom and whether the element is a gas or a metal. Our language lab does not have to worry about classifying over a hundred components. However, just like in chemistry, science has provided us with a linguistic lens to help describe the elements or components that make up our language laboratory.
The wonder of language is all around us. Phonology, orthography, morphology, semantics, syntax, discourse (oral and written), and pragmatics are all uniquely human. Through time, science has identified those components acquired by simply interacting with others and those requiring direct teaching. Furthermore, science has allowed us to map the components to brain activity and recognize we are teaching the entire brain when explicit reading instruction occurs. Understanding how these language components work and contribute to the overall acquisition of reading skills is essential, especially for those students who need more targeted instruction or the language adjustments required for the multilingual learner.
Dr. Antonio A. Fierro is a former Texas State Teacher of the Year who currently serves as the chief impact officer for educator preparation and curriculum at the Barksdale Reading Institute in Mississippi. He is also a member of the national LETRS cohort of literacy consultants led by Dr. Louisa Moats. Dr. Fierro has contributed to several literacy curricula for English learners and has co-authored Kid Lips™, a curriculum that teaches the phonetics of English to young children. His areas of interest include early childhood education, phonology, and research that impacts English learners. Dr. Fierro is also dedicated to advancing the knowledge base and understanding of dyslexia and other reading disabilities as his teenage son, Antonio Jr., has dyslexia. Presently, he sits on the boards of The Reading League and The Southwest International Dyslexia Association.