Research-Informed Ideas. Clear Connections. Meaningful Application.

Heather Blackwell, PhD, helps educators and education leaders understand complex ideas, connect them to familiar practice, and leave with a clearer path forward.

View Signature Topics

Speaking That Respects the Work of Educators

Dr. Blackwell's sessions combine research, storytelling, practical examples, and purposeful interaction. Whether she is facilitating a webinar, presenting a conference session, joining a panel, or leading an extended professional learning experience, she creates space for participants to think, connect, and apply.

Her approach is academically grounded without being inaccessible and practical without oversimplifying the work.

Signature Topics

The Science of Reading and the Science of Learning

Understand these distinct yet related bodies of research and explore how changes occur when educators use both to guide instruction and professional learning.

Adolescent Literacy Across the Disciplines

Examine why literacy remains essential in grades 4–12 and how vocabulary, morphology, knowledge, comprehension, and disciplinary language shape access to content.

Making Vocabulary Stick

Move beyond definitions and one-time exposure by connecting morphology, meaning, context, retrieval, and distributed practice.

Culturally Sustainable Pedagogy Through LILACS

Use the six pillars of the LILACS Framework to examine how evidence-based instruction can also be culturally sustaining, relational, reflective, and responsive.

From Codes to Consciousness

Explore how qualitative researchers can use digital tools, iterative coding, reflexive memoing, and triangulation to support rigorous, culturally grounded inquiry.

Preparing Teachers to Teach Reading With Purpose

Consider how teacher education can develop explicit knowledge, instructional judgment, cultural sustainability, and the ability to connect evidence with learners and contexts.

Formats

Conference keynotes and featured sessions
Interactive workshops and masterclasses
Webinars and virtual professional learning
Panels, moderated conversations, and symposia
Leadership retreats and strategic learning sessions
University and teacher-education presentations

About Dr. Blackwell

Heather Blackwell, PhD, is a literacy scholar, college professor, professional learning leader, and founder of Purposeful Literacy. Her research examined Black teacher candidates' culturally sustaining pedagogy during Science of Reading instruction. Her broader work connects literacy research, the Science of Learning, culturally sustainable practice, teacher development, and the implementation challenges facing schools and education organizations.

Heather has presented her research and professional work through national conferences, university symposia, professional webinars, and educator learning experiences. She is known for making complex ideas clear while honoring the knowledge, identity, and experience participants bring to the room.

Plan a Session

Share your audience, goals, event format, preferred topic, and proposed date. Sessions can be adapted for educators, instructional leaders, teacher educators, researchers, community partners, or mixed audiences.

Request Dr. Blackwell as a Speaker