Temple Grandin to Deliver Keynote at Literacy Conference
June 18, 2025

14th Annual East Tennessee Literacy Conference Scheduled for Sept. 12
蜜桔直播 will hold its 14th Annual East Tennessee Literacy Conference on
Friday, Sept. 12 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Morristown Campus.
This year鈥檚 keynote speaker will be Dr. Temple Grandin, speaker and author. Grandin
is a noted advocate for education for students diagnosed as being on the autism disorder
spectrum. She was diagnosed with autism as a child and did not speak until she was
three years old. Her first book, 鈥淓mergence: Labeled Autistic鈥 was unprecedented as
it offered the first inside narrative of autism. Her latest book is 鈥淭he Autistic
Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum.鈥 She is subject of an HBO biographic movie.
In addition to her advocacy for those with autism, Grandin is recognized as an
expert in animal behavior and has had over 60 articles published by scientific journals.
She was recently named a 2025 鈥淯SA Today鈥 Woman of the Year, and she was named one
of 100 Most Influential People by 鈥淭ime鈥 in 2010. Her inventions have led to more
ethical treatment of livestock.
鈥淲e are very proud to host Dr. Grandin at this year鈥檚 conference,鈥 said Dr. Matthew
Hunter, dean of High School Programs and the director of the Newport Center and the
P-16 Program. 鈥淪he is a very motivating speaker and one of the most influential voices
in education today.鈥
鈥淭his conference continues to grow each year,鈥 Hunter said. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 conference
offers valuable opportunities for all educators, with breakout sessions for all levels
of teaching and administration. Those attending will leave with practical tools and
fresh ideas to enhance their impact in the classroom.鈥
This year鈥檚 conference will feature over 20 breakout sessions for teachers at
all levels and for administrators. Those attending will receive 6 hours of TASL credit
or 6.0 PDP certification. The ever-popular book buses will be back, too.
The cost of this year鈥檚 conference is $125, which includes breakfast, lunch and
materials. Early registration is available at . For more information, contact Hunter at Matthew.HunterFREEWS or 423-585-2611.