Literacy Symposium 8:45AM to 12:30PM

REGISTRATION FOR THESE FREE EVENTS IS LIMITED

REGISTRATION begins Midnight November 4th.  

DON'T MISS OUT!

Where?  ED1020 Faculty of Education, MUN
When? Arrival for 8:45, with a 9am start

Session #1: 9:00am to 10:30am -  Dawn Baker

Dawn Baker is the author and illustrator of over 15 books with Flanker Press. Dawn has been creating picturebooks since 1992 and is a graduate of MUN's BEd program. Her energetic personality is captivating and her ability to connect with teachers and children is magical. Dawn grew up in the small community of Glenwood, NL and now calls Gander home. 

What to Expect from this Session
Dawn will be sharing her journey as a writer and illustrator, and her talk will focus on the curriculum extensions that are connected with some of her books. Dawn will also be bringing along her picture books and illustrations, and these will be for sale at the Saturday event. Cash or charge cards are welcome!

Nutrition Break: 10:30am to 11:00am (coffee, tea, fruit)

Session #2: 11:00am to 12:15pm -  Lori Dalton,  (Cloudberry Forest School)

Cloudberry Outdoor Play and Education: Lori Dalton is an experienced Early Childhood Educator with nearly 30 years in the field. She's dedicated to continuous professional learning to stay current with best practices and ensure quality in early learning.

Lori believes in a holistic approach, focusing on meeting individuals where they are to create plans that encourage positive learning experiences. She's also a strong advocate for outdoor play and nature engagement for both children and educators, recognising its significant benefits.

Outdoor play is essential for children’s overall well-being and development. Research shows that time spent outdoors helps children become stronger, more resilient, and better able to self-regulate. To thrive, children need ample time and space to explore and connect with nature.

Description of this Session:
This workshop will support educators in creating effective outdoor learning environments. Participants will explore the importance of outdoor learning, learn how to conduct risk assessments and site checks, discuss suitable clothing and essential tools, and discover practical ways to create a natural “homeroom” for outdoor exploration and growth.

12:15pm to 12:30pm:  The Mama Soula Award has been an important component of the LIFT Literacy Conference over the years, and we are thrilled to announce that the awards will continue.  This is made possible due to the generosity of the Mathioudakis Family who will again offer two scholarships ($1000 each) awarded to two schools in 2026.  Award details will be shared during our closing on Saturday and teachers will leave with application materials to apply for the Mama Soula Award by January 15, 2026.  

The Saturday speakers will be recorded and a link for the two sessions will be posted on the LIFT website and accessible until January. 30th, 2026.