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Conference Schedule

Schedule for the 15th Annual East Tennessee Literacy Conference


Join us at ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ on Friday, September 11, 2026, for the 15th Annual East Tennessee Literacy Conference, centered around the theme: "Every Student, Every Story: Coaching a Culture of Literacy Excellence." Hosted in partnership with the Mid-East Tennessee Regional P-16 Council, this full-day event features keynote address speaker Coach Ken Carter, interactive breakout sessions, local book bus displays, vendor exhibits, and opportunities to earn up to 6 hours of PDPs or TASL professional development credits. #ETNLIT26

Time

Conference Schedule

7:45am - 8:30am

Check-in - Networking - Visit Guest Vendors
Light Breakfast Provided #ETNLIT26

8:30am - 8:40am

Welcome to ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥

Dr. Angi Smith
Vice President for Student Services
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Dr. Matthew Hunter
Dean of High School Programs
Director of the Newport Center & Mid-East TN Regional P-16 Council
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8:40am - 9:20am

"The Great Literacy Showdown"
Mrs. Darlene Smith
Educator and Hamblen County School Board Member

9:20am - 10:20am

Keynote Address "Average is Not Good Enough. Period."
Coach Ken Carter
Keynote Speaker

10:20am - 10:30am

Proceed to Breakout Session #1

10:30am - 11:15am

Breakout Session #1

11:20am - 12:20pm

  • Lunch
  • Award Presentation
    "Tammy Wells Mid-East TN P-16 Literacy Award"
  • Visit Book Buses
    Parking Lot - B3
  • Visit Guest Vendors
    Gymnasium
  • Book Signing
    Gymnasium
  • Door Prizes

12:25pm - 1:10pm

Breakout Session #2

1:15pm - 2:00pm

Breakout Session #3

2:00pm - 2:30pm

Complete End of Day Surveys

(See QR codes at last breakout session)PDPs and TASL credit will be sent via email once you complete the survey.

  • PDPs = 6 hours

  • TASL = 6 hours

 

 

Book Buses

Book Bus

Location

COCKE COUNTY CRADLE TO CAREER COALITION “ABC BUSâ€
Jennifer Ellison

Parking Lot – B3

GREENE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Amanda Carpenter

Parking Lot – B3

GREENEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
Daniece McAmis

Parking Lot – B3

HAWKINS COUNTY SCHOOLS
Lori Allen

Parking Lot – B3

MORRISTOWN-HAMBLEN
IMAGINATION LIBRARY

Darlene Smith, Leah Taylor, and Tammy Wells

Parking Lot – B3

 

 

Meet the Conference Team

DR. MATTHEW HUNTER

Dean of High School Programs
Director of the Newport Center & Mid-East TN Regional P-16 Council
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matthew.hunterFREEWS 

KAYE HEAVNER

Coordinator of the Newport Center
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kaye.heavnerFREEWS 

 

DR. KRISTI WITT

Elementary Behavior Specialist
Greeneville City Schools

wittk@gcschools.net 

DR. RICKY WITT

Principal
Secret City Academy
Oak Ridge Schools

jrwitt@ortn.edu 

 

Save the Date

The conference will take place at ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ in Morristown, Tennessee on September 11, 2026 from 8:30am - 3pm. The conference registration fee will be $125 per person and will include breakfast, lunch and 6 hours TASL Credit OR 6.0 Professional Development Points.

Register Now



Conference Host


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