Annie P. Spear presenting at a professional education conference

Speaking & Professional Learning

Inspiring educators to think deeply and act boldly.

Annie brings warmth, humor, and deep expertise to every stage — from national conferences to school-based professional learning days. Her sessions are grounded in research, rooted in classroom reality, and designed to leave educators energized and equipped.

Book Annie→

Ongoing, embedded, relevant professional learning is the key to transformative practices that impact children's literacy development.

Educators engaged in professional learning workshop

Annie has presented at state and national conferences, facilitated multi-day institutes, and led school-based professional learning. Whether she's delivering a session for 500 or coaching a team of six, she brings the same commitment: every educator in the room should leave with something they can use tomorrow.

What Annie Offers

From keynotes to full-day institutes.

Keynote Addresses

Engaging, research-grounded keynotes for conferences, convocations, and opening/closing sessions. Annie's keynotes blend storytelling, humor, and practical insight to inspire and energize audiences of any size.

45–90 minutesAll educators

Half-Day Workshops

Focused, interactive workshops on literacy instruction, coaching, or leadership topics. Participants leave with concrete tools, frameworks, and next steps they can implement immediately.

3–4 hoursTeachers, coaches, leaders

Full-Day Institutes

Deep-dive professional learning experiences that combine research, modeling, practice, and reflection. Ideal for school or district professional development days.

6–7 hoursTeachers, coaches, leaders

Conference Sessions

Breakout and featured sessions for state and national literacy, reading, and education conferences. Annie has presented for International Literacy Association, Michigan Reading Association, statewide literacy coaching institutes, and more.

60–90 minutesConference attendees

Customized PD Series

Multi-session professional learning series designed around your school or district's specific goals, data, and context. Built to sustain growth over time, not just inspire in the moment.

OngoingSchools & districts

Book Studies & PLCs

Facilitated professional book studies and learning community sessions — in person or virtual — that build shared knowledge and instructional language across a team and enable implementation of the book's content.

FlexibleTeacher teams

Presentations that meet educators where they are.

01Flip the Script and Raise Teacher Self-Efficacy in Writing: Combining Research, Practices, and Standards to Support Children in our Classrooms (Michigan Reading Association, March 2023)

02From Desk-Sitters to Change Agents: How to Create Motivating and Engaging Literacy Instruction to Support Long-Term Academic Success (Annie with Dr. Meghan Block, International Literacy Association, July 2017)

03Let's Grow Literacy, Together! A Family Engagement Literacy Crosswalk. (Michigan Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference, September 2026)

04Unleash Joy in Literacy for Educators and Children with the Suite of Literacy Essentials (Central Michigan University, The Literacy Center Summer Institute, June 2024)

05Connecting Literacy Research in Meaningful, Actionable Ways for Educators with Public Media Resources (Michigan Reading Association Keynote, September 2025)

06Connecting & Creating Literacy Systems to Raise Readers and Writers from the Start (Ingham ISD Early Childhood Summit Keynote, October 2025)

07Science of Reading + Birth to Age 5 Educator, Family, & Community Engagement = Building a Reading Brain (Annie with Dr. Laura Tortorelli and Robin Pizzo, Michigan Reading Association, 2025)

08A Pathway to Joy for Educators and Children Using Systematic Instruction in Alphabet knowledge, Phonemic Awareness, and Phonics (Annie with Coaches from Michigan's Coaching Network, Michigan Reading Association, March 2024)

09Coaching Around Curricular Resources: A Study Group Pathway (Annie with Dr. Laura Tortorelli, 2023-2025)

10Raising Readers from the Start by Partnering with Families. Building a Strong Literacy Foundation: Birth to Age 3. Hillsdale Intermediate School District (September, 2024)

This is a sampling of past presentations. All presentations are customized to your audience, goals, and context. Don't see what you're looking for? Reach out — Annie loves building something new.

What Educators Say

Voices from the room

Annie's keynote was the highlight of our conference. She had the entire room laughing, thinking, and ready to go back to their classrooms with new energy and new ideas.

Conference Organizer

State Literacy Conference

Our teachers are still talking about Annie's workshop three months later. She has a gift for making research feel accessible and immediately applicable.

Elementary Principal

Michigan Public Schools

Annie doesn't just present — she connects. Every educator in the room felt seen, valued, and inspired to do better for their students.

District Literacy Coordinator

K–8 School District

Booking Details

Ready to bring Annie to your event?

Annie accepts a limited number of speaking and professional learning engagements each year to ensure every client receives her full attention and best work. Inquiries are welcome for events 3–12 months in advance.

Send a Speaking Inquiry→

AvailabilityLimited engagements per year — inquire early
TravelAvailable nationally; virtual sessions also available
CustomizationAll sessions tailored to your audience and goals
Lead time3–12 months preferred for conference keynotes