Literacy conference marks 20 years in the Central Valley

For The Madera Tribune

Educators attend a session during the 2025 Central Valley Literacy Conference.

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The 20th Annual Central Valley Literacy Conference will bring together educators from across the Central Valley to celebrate two decades of literacy leadership and innovation on February 3 at Madera County Superintendent of Schools’ Conference Center.

This year’s conference is themed “Chapters of Change: Celebrating 20 Years of Literacy Leadership,” and will feature keynote presentations by two nationally recognized authors and illustrators: Grace Lin, an award-winning and bestselling children’s book author and illustrator, and Jerry Craft, a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator known for New Kid, Class Act and School Trip.

“This year’s theme reflects the conference’s long-standing commitment to literacy, and the evolving role educators play in advancing literacy for all students,” said Gini Pierce-Cummings, Program Director, ELA/ELD, Madera County Superintendent of Schools, and organizer of the event.