Unlocking Learning Potential for Students Who Struggle to Learn:
Time, Talent, and Treasure
November 13-15, 2025 - Virtual
Registration closes November 6th
Nov 14 | Conference Keynotes & Breakout Sessions
Attend Virtually or Purchase a Replay of the Keynotes - $279
Join us at NILD’s 2025 Conference as we explore what it means to truly unlock learning potential for students who struggle to learn. This year’s theme—Time, Talent, and Treasure—invites educational therapists to reflect on the art of timely intervention and the irreplaceable roles of relationship, mediated learning, and questioning in the learning journey. Through engaging sessions and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to steward both Chronos and Kairos moments to meet students where they are, and how the educator-student connection serves as the foundation for trust, growth, and lasting change.
Time: Chronos and Kairos in Learning Interventions
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kristin Barbour, EdD, CCC-SLP, PCET
Educational therapists must learn to steward both kinds of time. Balancing efficiency with sensitivity involves mastering the art of being timely without being rushed and prepared without being rigid. Capturing Chronos plus Kairos moments when a student is open to insight, growth, or a mindset shift is at the heart of impactful intervention.
Talent: Art and Science of Precision Instruction
Keynote Speaker: Katie Smith, M.Ed., PCET
The art and science of intentional mediation shape the mathematical journeys we create for students. With both discernment and skill, therapists guide learners, no matter the obstacles, over each math mountain—knowing not only what to mediate, but also how and when, using purposeful questions and metacognitive strategies to light the path ahead.
Treasure: Power and Purpose of Educator-Student Relationship
Keynote Speaker: Jenny Hornby, M.A., LPC
The most valuable—and often underestimated—resource in educational intervention is relationship. The educational therapist-student relationship is not peripheral; it is foundational. It is in this relational space that trust is built, risk-taking is encouraged, and meaningful engagement becomes possible.
Jenny was one of Dr. Kathy Hopkins’ first educational therapy students and brings unique perspectives and stories from her own journey. Her experiences add depth and authenticity to her message, highlighting the transformative power of relationship in unlocking learning potential.
Nov 13 & 15: Optional Workshops
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Search & Teach Workshop (2-Day)
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November 13 & 15 | $710
The Search & Teach Workshop prepares educators of early learners (K–2) to identify and support students at risk for future learning challenges through a proven, preventive approach. Participants learn to administer SEARCH, a 20-minute screening tool that pinpoints foundational skill gaps, and implement TEACH, a set of 55 individualized learning tasks that strengthen pre-reading and cognitive readiness. Developed by Drs. Archie Silver and Rosa Hagin and backed by decades of research, Search & Teach has trained nearly 1,000 educators nationwide. This two-day workshop equips teachers to deliver early intervention that reduces frustration and builds a foundation for reading success.
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Spelling: Linking Reading & Writing Workshop
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November 13 | $425
Spelling is one of the most sensitive indicators of a learning disability and often a persistent challenge for students with dyslexia and other language-based differences. This interactive workshop equips educators with structured literacy tools—such as sound boxes, word sums, lexical matrices, and etymology activities—that strengthen the connection between reading and writing. Participants will learn to evaluate students’ writing samples, address common spelling misconceptions, and build orthographic, phonological, and morphological understanding.
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Executive Function Workshop
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November 15 | $425
Many students struggle academically and behaviorally because of underdeveloped Executive Function (EF) skills, which affect focus, organization, memory, and self-regulation. This workshop equips educators to assess EF needs and coach students in building strategies such as goal setting, planning, sustaining attention, flexible thinking, and impulse control. Research shows EF is more predictive of success than IQ, yet it is rarely explicitly taught. Participants will gain both a deeper understanding of EF and practical ways to embed instruction and practice into daily routines—boosting student outcomes, motivation, and lifelong learning skills.
Make a Difference
Support the Bridget Hughes Lifelong Learning Scholarship
As you complete your conference registration, consider adding a donation to support the Bridget Hughes Lifelong Learning Scholarship. This fund honors Bridget’s legacy by equipping passionate educators with the training they need to support students with learning differences. Your gift helps remove financial barriers, empowering more educators to gain evidence-based tools that unlock each student’s God-given potential.
Don't just take our word for it
"The allotted for each presentation was great. The speakers provided some points of insight and great ideas to implement during sessions. Having speakers who are leaders in their field and bring a wealth of knowledge are greatly appreciated."
"Being an independent NILD educational therapist gives me flexibility in my schedule, but I also love being able to connect with people at the conferences."
"You feel like you're in a family when you go to conferences. The ladies are very sisterly. You can count on them to have really great ideas, plus they are willing to share."
"The sessions were topics I'd been wanting to learn more about for a while."
"I went to the conference in November. It was amazing, restorative and inspired me to leave my job to do NILD Educational Therapy on my own."
"NILD conferences are great. You get introduced to new ideas from NILD, plus learn how other educational therapists are using the tools and methodologies in their therapy practices."
"Conference was exactly what I needed and met many specific needs as a therapist."
"I have gained a better understanding of effective EF coaching and how to better support my students and fellow educators."