📚 HBIDA Fall Symposium 2025
Structured for Success
📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025
📍 University of St. Thomas – Houston, TX | Center for Science and Health Professions
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 🧾 4 CEUs approved by ALTA & TSHA
🧠 About the Symposium
Hosted by the Houston Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (HBIDA), the Fall Symposium brings together educators, academic language therapists, administrators, and families for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration.
This year’s theme, “Structured for Success,” centers on the transformative power of the Science of Reading. Attendees will leave with actionable tools, research-backed insights, and renewed energy to support students with dyslexia and related learning differences.
Thank You to our Symposium Supporters
Cosworth Publishing
Parish School
Cirkiel Law Group
The Briarwood School
UCN Learn
Kscholastic
Staying Ahead of the Game
Fusion
🎤 Featured Speakers
Chief Academic Officer, Amplify
Dr. Susan Lambert is the Chief Academic Officer for Literacy at Amplify and hosts Science of Reading: The Podcast, an award-winning podcast that explores insights into literacy research. With a career spanning various educational contexts—from elementary classroom teacher to district administrator—Susan has worked both nationally and internationally, shaping educational practices and policies. She holds advanced degrees in curriculum and educational policy, as well as a doctoral degree in reading science.
Supporting Students’ Academic Language Development
Session Description: Academic language is essential for student success—not only in literacy but across all content areas. Yet many students struggle to develop the skills needed to access and use this language effectively. Automatic word recognition is a critical foundation, freeing students to focus on meaning, engage with complex texts, and build the academic language necessary for expressing understanding and participating in discourse. This session will explore academic language as more than just vocabulary, highlighting how strong word recognition and literacy skills support its development. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of the dimensions of academic language and research-based strategies to strengthen both word recognition and academic language through curriculum and instruction across content areas.
Professor, University of Texas at Austin
Sarah R. Powell is a professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin and associate director of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. Her research, teaching and service focus on mathematics, particularly for students who experience mathematics differently.
Word Problems? No Problem!
In this session, we focus on text-based math word problems. First, we review two ineffective word-problem strategies: tying keywords to operations and defining word problems by operation. Then, we learn how to use two effective practices: attack strategies and identifying word-problem schemas. We’ll review and practice different attack strategies. These are the general processes for working through a word problem. Then, we’ll learn about six common word-problem schemas that are frequently seen across Grades K-8. By the end of this session, you’ll be equipped to help your students become excellent math problem solvers!
🗓️ Symposium Schedule
8:30 AM – Check-In & Breakfast
9:00 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:15 AM – Morning Session: Susan Lambert
10:45 AM – Break & Networking + Exhibitor Hall
11:00 AM – Afternoon Session: Dr. Sarah Powell
12:30 PM – Lunch & Networking + Exhibitor Hall
1:15 PM – The Nancy LaFevers Ambroze Award
1:30 PM – Panel Discussion + Q&A
2:30 PM – Closing Remarks & CEU Sign-Out
📝 Registration
🧾 Rates:
- General Admission: $120 – Register Now!
🎟️ Includes:
- Full access to all sessions
- 4 CEUs approved by ALTA & TSHA
- Continental breakfast and lunch
- Access to exhibitor/resource fair
🛍️ Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities
Showcase your organization to educators, therapists, and families committed to structured literacy and student success.
📦 Reserve Your Spot:
Learn more about Exhibitor/Sponsor opportunities
📍 Location & Parking
University of St. Thomas – Center for Science and Health Professions
4102 Yoakum Blvd | Houston, TX 77006
Free guest parking available at the following locations:
Special Event Parking Garage – 1019 W. Main St, 77006
University S Lot – 1040 Branard St., 77006
📜 CEU Information
This event has been approved for 4 CEUs by the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA) and the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA). Sign-in sheets and certificates will be managed by the HBIDA Conference Committee.
❓ FAQs
Is this open to non-members?
Yes! Educators, parents, therapists, and community partners are all welcome.
Will sessions be recorded?
At this time, the event is in-person only.
Can I request accommodations?
Absolutely. Please indicate any needs on your registration form, or email us directly.
🙋 Contact Us
🧩 Hosted by
Houston Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (HBIDA)
Promoting evidence-based literacy practices, inclusion, and access for all learners.
Houston IDA 