Graphic promoting an Early Literacy Convening event hosted by Achieve Brown County, featuring colorful books and text about building literacy in Brown County.

From Awareness to Action

Early Literacy Convening

Early Literacy Convenings are cross-sector working sessions, inviting parents, administrators, policy makers and partners to the same table around early literacy. Together, we’ll review local data, hear sector updates, and align actions so every child in Brown County is reading at grade level by the end of third grade.

Hosted by: Achieve Brown County’s Reading for the Future initiative

Spring 2026 (Date To Be Announced)

9:00–3:30 (Check-in & breakfast: 8:15-9:00)

Location to Be Announced Soon

Registration is not yet open for our Spring 2026 Convening. Please call our office at 920-593-1050 if you have any questions about the event. Thank you!

Interested in Sponsoring our 2026 Convenings Learn More Below

Become a Sponsor

No cost to attend. All are welcome.
Space is capped at 200. Registration is required.

agenda at a glance

8:15–9:00: Check-in, networking, breakfast

9:00–10:00 Welcome & Opening: • Inspiration from Elementary Students • Overview of ABC & Systems Tools • Data Brief • Reading for the Future Project & Team Updates •

10:00-10:10: Break/Snacks

10:10–12:00 Local Stakeholder & Community Updates: • Healthcare, Education & Community Based Literacy Org Updates • Systemic Conditions Panel •

12:00–12:45: Lunch

12:45–2:30 Action-Planning Breakouts to address:
• Gaps • Opportunities • Emerging Needs •

2:30-2:45: Break/Snacks

2:45–3:30 Report-Outs & Closing: • Breakout Highlights • Reflections • Action Commitments •

What you’ll learn:

Why early literacy is a complex issue. We’ll use two models (the Iceberg Model and the Six Conditions of Systems Change) to look at the many layers of this complex issue.

What the latest data shows about reading in Brown County. We’ll look at the latest trends in third grade reading scores in Brown County and release an updated Early Grade Reading Outcome data booklet.

What real people are witnessing about this complex issue. Organizations who serve young people in healthcare settings, early childhood, K-12 education, literacy-based orgs, and community orgs will share data and insights as well as challenges, opportunities and bright spots with the kids they serve and support in learning to read.

What you’ll do:

Connect: Build relationships between and among parent leaders, elected leaders and decision makers across sectors like early childhood, K–12 education, healthcare, nonprofit, business, and government.

Problem-solve: Participate in rotating breakouts to identify gaps and co-design potential new actions we can take as a community to help more young people read at grade level by third grade.

Commit: At the end of the convening, we’ll invite everyone to make an action commitment. What can and will you do to support a Brown County where every child reads by third grade?

Register Here
More on our Early Literacy Initiative

Thank you to Our Sponsors

Action Planning Sponsors

Greater Green Bay Community Foundation
H.J. Martin & Son
Rotary Foundation of Green Bay
Wipfli

Become a Sponsor

Thank You to Our 2025 Speakers & Panelists

Speakers: community based literacy org updates

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Corrissa Frank
Howe Community Resource Center, Executive Director

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Eric Hoffman
Ampact, Executive Director of Wisconsin Programs: Wisconsin Reading Corps.

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Eileen Metzler
Volunteer Center of Brown County, Reading Coaches Coordinator

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Sarah Sugden
Brown County Library, Executive Director

Speakers: education org updates

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Jessica Gille
Encompass, Associate Executive Director

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Jamie Kriewaldt
Green Bay Area Public Schools, Director of Literacy

A smiling woman with curly hair wearing a red shirt poses in front of lockers.

Dr. Jamie Tyrrell
Green Bay Area Catholic Education, St. Thomas More Principal

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Stephanie Springer
Encompass, Director of Curriculum

Speakers: healthcare org updates

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Jess Sepers, MPH
N.E.W. Community Clinic, WIC Director, Pages & Stages

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DeDe Williams
Reach Out & Read Wisconsin, Executive Director

Panelists: systemic conditions panel

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Amanda Garcia
Casa ALBA Melanie, Executive Director

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Said Hassan
COMSA, Co-founder & Executive Director

Robin Scott
We All Rise: African American Resource Center, Executive Director & Founder

Speakers & Facilitators: backbone staff

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Sarah Beckman
Achieve Brown County, Executive Director

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Ashley Bethke
Achieve Brown County, Director of Partnership Advancement

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Atithi Ghimire
Achieve Brown County, Data Manager

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Benjamin Porter
Wisconsin Partnership, Statewide Policy Director

Meet Our Breakout Facilitators

Eden Weller
 Weller Workshops

Jordan Ogren

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Rikki Harry
LEAP Nonprofit Consulting

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Stephanie Ortiz, she/her
Weaving Ways

Meet Our Event Planning Team

Kimberly Stevens
Dyslexia Reading Connection

Susan Lagerman Brown County Library

Rick Crosson
Brown County Library Board Member

Register for the Early Literacy Convening