Where
Salt Lake City, Utah, Little America Hotel. Book your room.
Registration is now open!
Featured keynote speakers
Pierre Thomas
Chief Justice Correspondent, ABC News
Pierre Thomas is the chief justice correspondent for ABC News. He joined the network in November 2000 and reports for “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Good Morning America,” “Nightline,” “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” and all platforms, including ABC News Live, ABC News Radio and ABC News Digital.
Thomas has earned several notable awards during his distinguished career, including one of the most prestigious in broadcast journalism: The Paul White Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association, its highest honor. Thomas also eared the organization’s second-highest honor, the John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award, joining Walter Cronkite as one of only three journalists to receive both awards. In 2024, the Emmys® inducted him into its Silver Circle, calling him one of the most trusted names in news. In 2022, the Society of Professional Journalists’ Washington, D.C., chapter inducted Thomas into its Hall of Fame. That same year, he received the John S. Carroll Journalist of the Year from the News Literacy Project for his commitment to quality journalism and news literacy education.
Thomas is a member of the Gridiron Club, the nation’s oldest and one of its most prestigious journalistic organizations and is a past chairman of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which honored him with the Career Achievement Award in 2023.
Sharon McMahon
“America’s Government Teacher”
Sharon McMahon, #1 New York Times bestselling author, educator and host of the chart-topping podcast “Here’s Where It Gets Interesting,” is redefining how we communicate by turning confusion into clarity, inspiring change, and teaching others how to take action by doing the next needed thing.
A former high school government and law teacher, McMahon became known as “America’s Government Teacher” during the 2020 elections for her viral efforts to combat political misinformation. Her knack for breaking down complex topics with clarity, humor and a steadfast commitment to facts has attracted a community of over one and a half a million followers—affectionately called the “Governerds.”
McMahon’s newsletter, The Preamble, is one of the largest publications on Substack, providing historical context and nonpartisan insights to help readers navigate today’s political landscape. Her debut book, The Small and the Mighty, has been celebrated as one of 2024’s top reads by Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Goodreads, highlighting the unsung heroes who shaped America.
Beyond education, McMahon leads philanthropic initiatives that have raised over $11 million to address critical needs, from medical debt relief to disaster recovery. She inspires audiences with a message of hope: History shows us that even small actions can create powerful change.Learn more at SharonMcMahon.com or follow her @SharonSaySo.
John Arthur
2021 Utah Teacher of the Year
John Arthur, a sixth-grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary in Salt Lake City, was named the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year for his dedication to student-led learning and civic engagement. He empowers his diverse students through storytelling, technology and project-based learning, fostering a classroom where every voice matters.
Beyond teaching, Arthur advocates for equitable education and mentors fellow educators. A finalist for National Teacher of the Year, he amplifies student voices on national platforms, inspiring young learners to become leaders in their communities.
Dr. Molly Hart
Utah’s Superintendent of Public Instruction
Dr. Molly Hart is Utah’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and a lifelong educator with more than 25 years of experience in classrooms and schools and as a leader at the system level. Her career ranged from paraprofessional and teacher to principal and executive director, serving learners from elementary through higher education in multiple states.
She was elected to the Utah State Board of Education in 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. In her current role, Hart focuses on strengthening student outcomes, aligning systems to better support schools and ensuring that every learner is prepared for meaningful opportunities after graduation. She believes strong systems and clear expectations create the conditions for every student to succeed, and she is committed to meaningful accountability and supporting educators in that work.
Hart is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she earned a degree in Family Community Services. She also holds several degrees in education, including a doctorate in educational leadership.
Her leadership has been recognized with honors including Vocational Teacher of the Year, the Utah PTA Outstanding School Administrator Award, and Canyons District Elected Official of the Year.
Registration rates
| Registration type | Date | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| District fellows | Jan. 16-30 | 20% off $199 with promo code |
| Group registration (4 or more) | Jan. 16 – July 31 | 10% off; email conference@newslit.org for this special rate. |
| Early bird | Jan. 16 – Feb. 28 | $199 |
| Standard | March 1 – July 31 | $299 |
| Late & onsite | Aug. 1 – Oct. 8 | $349 |
Purchase orders
You may register online using a purchase order. Purchase orders also should be emailed to conference@newslit.org. Full payment must be made no later than 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 4, 2026.
Purchase orders are not eligible for the early bird rate.
Refund Policy
This discounted rate is nonrefundable. However, you may transfer registration to another individual in your organization by Sept. 30, 2026. Submit all requests in writing to conference@newslit.org.
Cancellation requests must be made in writing to conference@newslit.org.
Requests received by May 31, 2026, will be refunded in full, minus a $35 handling fee.
Requests received between June 1 and Sept. 4, 2026, will receive a 50% refund, minus a $35 handling fee.
Requests received after Sept. 4, 2026, will not be refunded. However, you may transfer registration to another individual in your organization until Sept. 30, 2026.
All cancellations will be processed in the same manner as original payment. If paid by credit card, the refund will be issued in 10 business days. Payments made by check or by purchase order will be refunded as checks and may take up to 15 days after the conference to process.
Transfer requests must be submitted in writing to conference@newslit.org by Sept. 30, 2026. Please include your registration number in the request.
The News Literacy Project does not award payment credit toward future services, products or events.
No-shows are not eligible for refunds.
The benefits
What can you expect from the National News Literacy Conference?
Presented by the News Literacy Project, the nation’s leader in K-12 news literacy education, the inaugural National News Literacy Conference will bring together educators and school leaders from across the U.S. for three days of professional development, networking and inspiration. Join us to hear from leading experts and gain new perspectives on news literacy education.
Schedule at a glance
Day 1 — October 8
Day 1 — October 8
| Time | Room 1 — Std 1 | Room 2 — Std 2 | Room 3 — Std 3 | Room 4 — Std 4 | Room 5 — Std 5 | Room 6 — Flex / Overflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BREAK · 12:00 – 1:00 · Registration & Networking (all attendees) | ||||||
| 1:00 – 1:50 | Digital Literacy in Every ClassroomKelly Jeppson & Aaron Crawford |
OPEN, TBD |
Anti-Scam Academy: Avoiding Scams and MisinformationGretchen Zaitzeff & Dani Sloan |
Is This Influencer Full of It?Bobkowski, Davis, Hoover, Pignolet |
Behind the News: Investigating Credibility in a Digital WorldMae Scott |
Cognitive Biases and the News EcosystemJulia Lennox |
| BREAK · 2:00 – 2:45 · Afternoon Break | ||||||
| 3:00 – 4:00 | A News Media Literacy Unit and Culminating Project for HS StudentsAdrianne Spencer |
What Stories Can Students Best Tell? Media Literacy Through Multimedia Journalism with PBS News Student Reporting LabsAnthony Payne, Emily Dobkin & Christopher Sloan |
From Journalism 1 to a Student NewsroomSireesha Rutter |
One Tool to Rule Them All: SCOPESErika Thorsen |
Designing with IntentionalityAshley Pena |
Building the Baseline: Why Early Exposure to Real News Is a News Literacy StrategyJennifer Anderson, KidNuz |
| 4:00 – 5:00 | OPEN, TBD |
OPEN, TBD |
OPEN, TBD |
OPEN, TBD |
OPEN, TBD |
OPEN, TBD |
Day 2 — October 9
Day 2 — October 9
| Time | Room 1 — Std 1 | Room 2 — Std 2 | Room 3 — Std 3 | Room 4 — Std 4 | Room 5 — Std 5 | Room 6 — Flex / Overflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:45 – 10:45 | A WISE Framework: Mixing Human Judgment and AI to Support News LiteracyLarson, Vontz, Clark |
How Teachers Can Work with Established Newsrooms to Amplify Youth VoicesHeather May & Brandon Winn |
Breaking News: Teach Students to Identify & Produce Credible Journalism in Five DaysGretchen Zaitzeff & Kirsten Stewart |
Digital Literacy in the AI EraJoel Breakstone |
Game On: Investigating Generative AI Through PlayCynthia Sandler |
Media MentorshipM. Linsey Kitchens |
| BREAK · 10:45 – 11:00 · Morning Break | ||||||
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Beyond the Scroll: Teaching News Literacy in the Content AgeSam Helmick |
Media Literacy NowTBD |
Prompt, Then Verify: Teaching Research Skills in the Age of AILindy Hockenbary |
Dihydrogen MonoxideEric Jourgensen |
Similar Skills, New SearchElise Silva |
John Arthur |
| BREAK · 12:00 – 1:30 · Lunch | ||||||
| 1:30 – 2:30 | Pause, Look, ReflectAlex Luciano |
A Deep Dive Into the News Literacy StandardsJackie Miller & Jeffrey Wilhelm |
Teaching How AI Shapes the NewsDaniel Trielli & Derek Willis |
Finding (and Using) Fresh MediaMiranda Stefano |
The Floor Is YoursKimberly Bentley School |
AFTER LUNCH |
| BREAK · 2:30 – 3:00 · Afternoon Break | ||||||
| 3:00 – 4:00 | The Folklorist’s Guide to MisinformationAaron Crawford |
OPEN |
Where News Comes FromTerry Parris |
Fighting Fake NewsJackie Miller & Jeffrey Wilhelm |
What to Expect When You’re ElectingM. Linsey Kitchens |
Emma Moss |
Day 3 — October 10
Day 3 — October 10
| Time | Room 1 — Std 1 | Room 2 — Std 2 | Room 3 — Std 3 | Room 4 — Std 4 | Room 5 — Std 5 | Room 6 — Flex / Overflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 | The P.E. Teachers Too?Carolyn Martinez-Ross |
Journalism as Global PedagogyRebecca Chambers |
From Journalism 1: The Mirror Before the MicroscopeGriselis Reyes Gil |
More Informed, More Critical, More EmpoweredTibbs, Parker, Scanelli |
Thinking Clearly in Turbulent TimesCait Houlbrook |
OPEN, TBD |
| BREAK · 9:30 – 10:00 · Morning Break | ||||||
Our sponsors
Diamond Tier
Platinum Tier
Become a sponsor
This fall, the News Literacy Project will welcome 500 educators from across the country at our first National News Literacy Conference.
Students face a rapidly changing media and information landscape, and now more than ever, educators need the knowledge and tools to provide news literacy education. This three-day conference will feature engaging sessions and classroom-ready teaching tools and resources.
Sponsors have the unique opportunity to meet educators and district leaders at the forefront of the news literacy movement and help lead the way for the next generation.
Explore our sponsorship levels below.
Questions? Contact us at development@newslit.org.
Giving Tiers
| Bronze $1,000 | Silver $5,000 | Gold $10,000 | Platinum $25,000 | Diamond $50,000+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logo on conference website | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ad in conference app | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Recognition on NLP social media | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Logo on conference signage | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Logo on screen during a keynote | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| 2 complimentary tickets to conference | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| 2 complimentary tickets to conference dinner | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Verbal recognition during keynote | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Recognition on NLP social media with unique content | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Opportunity to host a session (or activation station) in collaboration with NLP | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Opportunity to introduce keynote | ✔ | ||||
| Exclusive conference branding opportunities (signage, hotel keycards, badges, etc) | ✔ |
FAQs
Presented by the News Literacy Project, the nation’s leader in K-12 news literacy education, the inaugural National News Literacy Conference is for educators and school and district leaders interested in learning how to teach students to confidently navigate news and information online and to decide for themselves what to trust and what to dismiss.
Salt Lake City is easy to get to from many parts of the country, with an international airport served by major airlines. Surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains, Salt Lake City also is a great homebase for those who want to explore the area’s natural beauty. Easy to navigate and more affordable than many American cities, Salt Lake City is a leading conference destination.
Yes! Nine school districts in Utah are part of the News Literacy Project’s District Fellowship program, leading the way in participation among all states and we expect many local educators to attend.
Each participant will receive a certificate for continuing education credits. While we hope to provide more information in the coming weeks, please note that each state has different CEU requirements.
To keep the cost of registration affordable, hotel rooms and airfare are not included and must be booked separately. However, conference attendees receive a discount on rooms at Little America Hotel. You’ll find the booking link here.
The hotel manages all reservations. Please contact them directly.
We do not offer scholarships but are working to keep the conference accessible to all educators by keeping the cost of attending as affordable as possible. Registration includes access to all conference sessions, keynotes, workshops, (our networking dinner) and all materials. In addition, day passes will be available, including for the keynote session. We also have secured discounted hotel rates to help reduce travel costs.
The inaugural National News Literacy Conference will be offered exclusively as an in-person experience and there is no virtual or remote attendance option. The conference is designed to foster meaningful connection, collaboration and hands-on learning opportunities. We hope you’ll be able to join us in person at our inaugural gathering.
No. The sessions will not be recorded. We encourage you to join us on-site to fully engage with us, the sessions, our speakers and fellow educators!
Thank you for your interest in sponsoring our National News Literacy Conference. We offer a variety of sponsorship tiers. Click here to learn more about sponsorship levels and to connect with our team.
If you need to cancel your registration, please make your request in writing at conference@newslit.org. Our full refund policy can be found here.
Schedule at a glance:
- 7 – 8:30 a.m. Registration
- 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Opening General Session
- 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Breakout Session I
- 10:45 – 11 a.m. Break
- 11:00 a.m. – noon Breakout Session II
- Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
- 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Session III
- 2:45 – 3 p.m. Break
- 3:45 – 4 p.m. Breakout Session IV
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Reception & Networking