Keynote speaker explores “Teaching Literacy Fearlessly” at Carlton-Mellichamp Lecture
Keynote speaker explores “Teaching Literacy Fearlessly” at Carlton-Mellichamp Lecture
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Keynote speaker Bianca Nightengale-Lee will explore the intersection of culture and literacy in her keynote presentation at the 2025 Carlton-Mellichamp Lecture in Education on Feb. 27 at the University of Northern Iowa College of Education.
Her presentation, “Teaching Literacy Fearlessly: How To Get Into 'Good Trouble' for the Literacy Future of All Students,” kicks off the free two-day lecture series which annually features emerging scholars engaging in topics of interest for teacher education students, faculty and practicing professionals. With this year’s focus on the science of reading research, she’ll explore visual media, pop culture and music as channels to help build fluency in literacy among students.
Nightengale-Lee currently serves as the director of the Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations at Western Michigan University. She earned her PhD from the University of Louisville. Her work studies the confluence of race, literacy and culture in curricular development and has led to awards from leading teaching and literacy-focused associations.
“Science of reading is a collection of research that informs a body of instruction. People often think of it as a program or just focused on phonics, but it is more than that. Dr. Nightengale-Lee helps us understand that you don’t leave your cultural strengths and beliefs behind as you grow your literacy. In fact, what’s relevant to you culturally can help you build your understanding,” says Lori Norton-Meier, director of the Richard O. Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy, who served as the chair of the guest speaker’s doctoral committee at Louisville and will introduce her at the keynote.
Two additional sessions are planned for Friday, Feb. 28. One includes a hip hop literacy teaching demonstration by Nightengale-Lee, who is known for developing methods of teaching and practice that reflect the lives and literacies of students.
The event is free, but registration is encouraged. The annual conference is supported by donations to the UNI Foundation from alumna Suzanne Carlton and Duncan Mellichamp.
