On March 7-8, literacy advocates, educators, and district leaders came together for the Literacy and Justice for All Symposium, hosted by the Oakland Literacy Coalition. Thirty-four representatives from preschools and school districts partnering with The Big Lift registered for the event. Together, The Big Lift staff and our partners benefited from two days full of educational sessions and speakers from education and social justice who shared invaluable experiences and effective practices in literacy and reading skills.
Here are some of the key insights from this gathering.
Child-Centered Learning
Attendees got to experience learning journeys to local schools, offering participants a chance to see literacy practices in action and to discuss and ask questions with their teachers and principals. The Big Lift’s intern fellow Malia Langi visited the Yuk Yau Childhood Development Center. There, teachers highlighted the importance of child-centered learning environments and family engagement. Observing interactive, play-based learning reinforced the role of culturally responsive, child-centered teaching in early literacy development.
District-Wide Literacy Reform
A highlight of the symposium was a session featuring Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) education leaders Leroy Gaines and Tala Kauzer. They shared their district’s journey in literacy reform, emphasizing the importance of aligning curriculum across schools to ensure equity. They also discussed the challenges that come with adopting new approaches, and the long journey that it can take. Their discussion reinforced that successful literacy initiatives require a combination of strong leadership, teacher support, and a commitment to instruction grounded in the science of reading.
They also described how Oakland’s literacy coaches provide on-the-ground support for teachers. Investing in coaching ensures that educators have the tools and confidence needed to drive student success.
Pushing Through Resistance
The symposium featured an inspiring keynote from Dr. Bettina Love. Dr. Love’s message resonated deeply, as she challenged attendees to recognize the systemic barriers in education and take bold action. She underscored the need for educators to embrace discomfort and push for equity-driven reforms. As one Big Lift participant reflected, Dr. Love’s words were a call to courage: “She said that if eyes aren’t rolling when you walk into a room, you’re not doing the work…[she] really pushed my thinking into how I can do more to positively impact my students.”
A Call to Action
The Literacy and Justice for All Symposium reinforced that literacy is a fundamental right and that achieving equity requires a collective effort from educators, policymakers, and community partners. As we move forward, we must continue to advocate for high-quality literacy instruction, invest in educator support, and ensure that every child—regardless of background—has access to the transformative power of reading.
Thank you to all of our partners who participated in this impactful event, and to our intern fellow Malia Langi for capturing photos during the event. Let’s keep the momentum going!
