Language is Everything

The Houston Branch International Dyslexia Association (HBIDA) kicked off another exciting school year by hosting its annual Fall Symposium! Thanks to a wonderful partnership with the University of St. Thomas, the event took place in-person on campus on Saturday, September 20, 2025 bringing together a full day of learning, networking, and sharing resources.

It was especially meaningful to see this organization welcomed by such a well-respected and academically rigorous institution. The collaboration between HBIDA and the University of St. Thomas beautifully reflected a shared commitment to advancing literacy and supporting learners with learning disabilities.

The day began with a welcoming coffee chat and pastries, followed by a gathering for the first guest speaker, Dr. Susan Lambert. Well known as the host of the Science of Reading podcast and serving as Chief Academic Officer at Amplify, Dr. Lambert inspired attendees to explore the many layers of language development in students. Her engaging and dynamic presentation encouraged active participation as she moved throughout the room, sparking thoughtful discussions about research and academic language. Dr. Lambert emphasized that language is the foundation of literacy and that vocabulary should never be taught in isolation, but woven naturally into meaningful contexts. Participants left reminded of just how essential vocabulary is for both teachers and students alike.

After a mid-morning break, visiting the exhibitors who sponsored the symposium like Kscholastic Inc., Gateway, Parish School, Cosworth Publishing, Briarwood School, Fusion, and Staying Ahead of the Game, guests returned for the second speaker.  Dr. Sarah Powell, Associate Professor at the University of Texas in Austin, helped participants explore the critical role of math terminology and how it can become a minefield for struggling students. She highlighted how everyday words like “pallet” and “pack” can create unexpected barriers to comprehension even before students tackle the math computations. One of her key insights was that Math Operations Anchor Charts often do not support learners as effectively as we assume. To address this, she provided concrete, ready-to-use formulas and strategies that teachers can implement immediately in the classroom

Just when our cognition had reached full capacity, we took a break for lunch! The Nancy LaFevers Ambroze Award was announced during lunch.  Nancy LaFevers, M.A., CCC, believed in early diagnosis and remediation for students with dyslexia using Orton-Gillingham methods and principles. As an effective and powerful advocate for children with dyslexia, learning differences, and related language disorders, Nancy was a founding member of the Houston Branch (HBIDA) and served as its president. In April 2006, the Houston Branch presented Nancy with the HBIDA Nancy LaFevers Community Service Award, which was established to recognize Branch members who have made outstanding contributions to students with dyslexia and related language learning differences in our community.

Laura Sandling, M.Ed, CALT, Chair of the Advocacy Committee, announced this year’s recipient: Alison Edwards, M.Ed, LDT, CALT, in recognition of her years of service and dedication to HBIDA. In her acceptance remarks, Alison expressed heartfelt gratitude and issued a Call to Action, encouraging each audience member to consider serving on the board as a way to expand outreach for the dyslexic community and advance the organization’s mission.

The day’s events concluded with a lively Q&A panel with HBIDA president, Mallary Lattanze, M.Ed., LDT, CALT, and our two speakers. While one might expect most questions to focus on Dr. Lambert and the Science of Reading, the audience was particularly engaged with Dr. Powell, asking numerous questions about the critical connections between vocabulary, comprehension, and overall language in math.

In summary, the fact that humans learn through language means that language is a way of seeing, understanding, and communicating about the world. Today, we deepen our understanding and appreciation for the fact that learning in school is largely accomplished through language.  Participants said that they walked away with “math strategies and interventions that can be used right away to bridge the gap between language and learning.”

Mark your calendars for HBIDA’s virtual Spring Conference, which will be held on Friday, March 27, 2025.  To learn more about the amazing lineup of speakers, follow this link.