35 teachers, researchers, leaders and policy makers — all of whom waive their fee to speak at researchED.
Opening remarks & keynotes
Featured Keynote
Anita Archer
Author & Educational Consultant Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching
Dr. Anita Archer is an internationally recognised authority on explicit instruction, literacy and classroom management. A former teacher and university professor, she has spent decades training educators across North America in the routines that make instruction effective and efficient for every learner.
Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching
Kareem Weaver is a former teacher and principal, and co-founder of FULCRUM (Full and Complete Reading is a Universal Mandate). Featured in the documentary The Right to Read, he leads Oakland NAACP's education committee and campaigns nationally for structured literacy as a civil-rights issue.
Former Minister of State for Schools United Kingdom
Sir Nick Gibb served as the UK's Minister of State for Schools for over a decade, championing systematic synthetic phonics, the Phonics Screening Check and a knowledge-rich curriculum. England's rise in international reading rankings is widely attributed to reforms he oversaw.
Chief Commissioner Ontario Human Rights Commission
Patricia DeGuire is Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, leading its work on the right to read, systemic discrimination in education and equitable outcomes for Ontario's students. A lawyer and adjudicator by training, she brings decades of experience in human rights, mediation and public policy.
Author & Teacher Educator Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
Zaretta Hammond is a former English teacher and national education consultant whose work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, culture and instruction. Her bestselling book reframes culturally responsive teaching as a tool for building independent learners, not a set of surface-level celebrations.
Andrew Cohen is the founder of Brainscape, an adaptive flashcard platform used by over 11 million learners, and holds a master's degree from Columbia University.
Ang Marshall is a Peel District School Board instructional coach who brings extensive classroom and K-2 literacy coaching experience, with a particular focus on translating intervention into effective Tier 1 instruction.
Distinguished Professor of Engineering Oakland University
Dr Barbara Oakley is a renowned educator, engineer, and bestselling author who has transformed how millions of people understand learning. A Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Oakland University, she co-created Learning How to Learn, one of the world's most popular online courses, reaching more than five million learners worldwide. Her work makes the science of learning practical, accessible, and unforgettable.
Instructor, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning OISE, University of Toronto
An instructor in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at OISE/UT, Brenda is an experienced teacher and school leader specializing in literacy, educational psychology, assessment, and pedagogical leadership. Her teaching bridges research and practice, helping schools navigate change and strengthen instruction. She received the OISE Award for Excellence in Teacher Education in 2019.
K-8 Mathematics Specialist & Learning Leader Calgary Board of Education · University of Alberta, Campus Saint-Jean
A K-8 mathematics specialist, Learning Leader with the Calgary Board of Education, and sessional instructor at the University of Alberta's Campus Saint-Jean. Her work includes application of cognitive load theory, variation theory and explicit instruction to systematically sequenced mathematics lessons.
A Prince Edward Island principal and former math interventionist, numeracy coach, and curriculum consultant. He has published five books, including What's Missing in Math Instruction, and facilitates professional learning in mathematics and school development.
Instructional Coach · Creator of LitBits Peel District School Board
Erica Tutte is a Peel District School Board instructional coach and the creator of LitBits, with more than 25 years of experience in literacy, MTSS, and instructional coaching.
Dr. Jacqueline Wylde holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and completed her SSHRC-funded post-doctoral fellowship at the Digital Humanities Centre, St. Francis Xavier University. She supports schools in Toronto in implementing evidence-based writing practices, bridging research and classroom instruction.
Schools Inspector & Adjunct Professor · Vice-Chair, researchED Canada BC Ministry of Education · City University in Calgary
An independent and offshore schools inspector for the BC Ministry of Education and an adjunct professor in educational leadership at City University in Calgary. A former superintendent and head of three independent schools, he also serves as Vice-Chair of researchED Canada.
Mathematician, Playwright & Best-selling Author JUMP Math
Dr. John Mighton is an award-winning mathematician, playwright, and best-selling author, who is internationally recognized for his work building children’s confidence, skills, and success in math. Mighton has published three books on math education and given hundreds of talks on the subject, including a TEDx Talk and keynote at the Aspen Brain Forum. He holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Toronto and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
K-12 System Principal for Student Success Ottawa Catholic School Board
Julie Fortier is the Ottawa Catholic School Board's K-12 System Principal for Student Success. She presents with Dr. Diana Cassie, Dr. Avigail Ram, Cathryn Wake, Maria Knowles, and Meghan Gelineau — a team bringing clinical, system-leadership, and classroom perspectives to evidence-based numeracy intervention and multi-tiered support.
An Ontario educator, literacy advocate, and co-author of Reading Assessment Done Right. With 25 years of K-8 classroom experience, she co-hosts the Reading Road Trip podcast, serves as Content Lead for ONlit, and works as an Acadience Reading Mentor.
Secondary Science Educator District School Board of Niagara
A secondary science educator with the District School Board of Niagara and a former Head of Chemistry with a decade of international experience. Kien translates cognitive science into practical classroom tools using thoughtful AI workflows.
Language & Literacy Instructor, Literacy Consultant French Immersion educator
Kim Lockhart, M.Ed., is a language and literacy instructor, literacy consultant, and educator with more than 20 years of classroom experience, including over 15 years as a student support teacher in French Immersion.
Director of National Literacy Strategy Eos Learning
Kristie Clements, M.Ed., C-SLCT, directs national literacy strategy at Eos Learning with 27 years of experience in teaching, literacy leadership and professional learning.
Dr. Leslie Laud directs Releasing Writers and leads research on evidence-based writing instruction. A former teacher and principal, she holds a doctorate from Columbia University and has led federally funded research studies.
A principal, instructional leader, and founder of the Principal Leadership Network with 24 years in education. With a focus on mathematics and teacher development, he turns research into practical routines that build confidence and improve achievement.
Secondary Educator & Professional Learning Lead Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
An educator with more than 20 years of experience with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. She contributed to and presents OSSTF's Science of Learning workshop and leads professional learning for educators.
A psychology professor at Saint Mary's University whose research examines reading, spelling, and orthographic learning. She serves on the Scientific Committee for researchED Canada and is Vice-President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading.
Chair, researchED Canada · Teacher Educator & Researcher OISE, University of Toronto · Academica University of Applied Sciences
Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva is a teacher educator, researcher, and learning design expert. She teaches at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto and is Professor at Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. She chairs researchED Canada and hosts researchED Toronto 2026.
Director, Schoolhouse Institute · Senior Fellow Macdonald-Laurier Institute · Saint Mary's University
Director of Schoolhouse Institute, a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and a graduate education instructor at Saint Mary's University. He curates the Educhatter blog. Dr. Bennett was instrumental in the founding of researchED Canada and is the author of 11 books, including The State of the System: A Reality Check on Canada's Schools (2020).
Educational Scientist & Myth-Buster Utrecht University · Leerpunt, Flanders
A Belgian educational scientist and myth-buster. He is a lecturer at Utrecht University and Executive Director of Leerpunt, a Flemish evidence-informed education knowledge centre, and delivers international talks grounded in educational research.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education, Impact and Innovation) & Dean of Education La Trobe University, Australia
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education, Impact and Innovation and Dean of the School of Education at La Trobe University. She leads strategic reform of teacher education grounded in the science of learning.
Secondary Literacy Leader & Instructional Systems Specialist Author, Teaching for Cognitive Engagement
A secondary literacy leader and instructional systems specialist with more than 15 years of experience supporting teachers and district-wide improvement. She is the author of Teaching for Cognitive Engagement: Nine High-Impact, Myth-Busting Strategies for K-12 Instruction.
Supports teacher candidates at Brock University in developing literacy and language arts programs, bringing 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher and curriculum literacy lead. She is the author of Fail-Safe Strategies for Science and Literacy and Teaching Vocabulary in the Content Areas.
Fail-Safe Strategies for Science and LiteracyTeaching Vocabulary in the Content Areas
Grade 5 Teacher · Creator of the Word Mapping Project Buffalo, New York
A Grade 5 teacher from the Buffalo, New York area and the creator of the Word Mapping Project. He is passionate about connecting sound, spelling, and meaning to help students become stronger readers, spellers, and writers.
CEO & Head of Research, Learn Different · Associate Professor University of Toronto
Dr. Todd Cunningham is the CEO and Head of Research at Learn Different, an initiative that bridges research and practice to support students with learning differences. A registered school and clinical psychologist in Ontario, Dr. Cunningham is an Associate Professor of the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the University of Toronto. He also serves on the board of The Learning Disability Association of Ontario.
