Jessica Warner, MA will be the Plenary speaker for the Reaching & Teaching Students track of ATN’s new Learning Brain Exchange on Monday, February 16, 2026
The title of her session will be: From Research to Reality- Understanding the Science of Reading
Have you heard about the Science of Reading?
It’s NOT a specific curriculum, product, ideology, or single method. It is a vast body of research spanning over 50 years across various fields (neuroscience, psychology, linguistics) that shows how the brain learns to read. Reading is not a naturally acquired skill and must be explicitly taught, focusing on core components such as phonemic awareness (sounds), phonics (letter-sound links), fluency (speed/accuracy), vocabulary (word knowledge), and comprehension. In this workshop, we will dive deeper into these five pillars to understand their importance and actively participate in activities that help our students build their skills. The Simple View of Reading will guide us in understanding Scarborough’s Reading Rope and how educators can transform their approach to Literacy Instruction to better meet the needs of their students.
In addition, participants will understand that a structured literacy approach is practical for targeting our most complex learners. Dyslexia will be addressed along with comorbidities such as ADHD. All participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the Science of Reading and why Structured Literacy is imperative for instruction.
Jessica Warner, MA began teaching in Somerville, NJ as a 4th grade teacher in 2001. After receiving her Master’s in Reading Specialization, she immersed herself in reading research and has both a WRS certification and an OGA certification. She serves both as the District Reading Specialist and a private coach and consultant. Her work is deeply rooted in the Science of Reading and individualized literacy instruction.
