Proud Partners
March 26, 2027 · Bellevue, Washington
Washington’s Literacy Leap: learning from Mississippi. It’s not a miracle, it’s a playbook!
Proud Partners
About the Conference
Bringing together Washington educators for a joyful professional learning day focused on the science of reading and unlocking the potential in all students. Grounded in the research, we’ll focus on what works in the classroom to equip ourselves to be better on Monday.
Excellent Schools Washington’s Third Annual Conference will explore research-aligned literacy practices that support educators in improving outcomes for students.
Plan your day
Friday, March 26, 2027
Arrival begins at 7:15 am. Closing and Happy Hour, 3–5 pm PT.
The Westin Hotel, Bellevue, Washington
Free parking is available onsite in the hotel parking lot.
A full day of learning
Connect with fellow educators, hear from literacy leaders, and choose from practical breakout sessions throughout the day.
Choose from 3–4 breakout sessions.
Choose from 3–4 breakout sessions.
Choose from 3–4 breakout sessions.
Close out the conference and keep the conversation going with colleagues.
It’s not a miracle,
it’s a playbook.Washington’s Literacy Leap · March 26, 2027
This year’s theme
Mississippi’s reading gains stand out nationally. What did the state get right, and what can Washington educators put to work in their own classrooms?
Keynote speaker
Head of Institute, AIM Institute · Former Mississippi K–12 State Literacy Director
Kristen Wynn leads AIM Institute with a focus on helping educators and leaders move research into practice quickly and efficiently in ways that strengthen instruction, build consistency, and create lasting change for students.
Before joining AIM as Head of Institute in 2024, Kristen spent 20 years in education, most recently serving as Mississippi’s K–12 State Literacy Director. She also served in earlier roles as a literacy coach, Regional Literacy Coordinator, and Assistant State Literacy Coordinator. She served as part of Mississippi’s statewide literacy initiative since its inception and, throughout her tenure, helped advance literacy improvement across schools and districts.
An experienced elementary educator and national presenter, she has helped develop professional learning aligned to the science of reading and has seen firsthand what is possible when leaders and systems fully commit to effective literacy instruction.
Kristen is pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Jackson State University, where she earned her M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision, and holds a B.S. in Education from Belhaven College. She is also the proud mother of three children.
Read and listen before you join us in Bellevue.
March 26, 2027 at The Westin Bellevue. $25 per attendee, with scholarships available.
Register NowConference highlights
Wind down the day with colleagues, swap ideas and build connections that last beyond the conference.
Load up on pencils, crayons, sticky notes and more to take back to your classroom.
Contact Ashley Wiegner. Scholarships for attendance and classroom coverage are available.
ashley@Questions