Island Readers & Writers' (IRW) 2025 Dear Teacher Conference is open for registration! Join IRW for a two day professional development conference celebrating literacy and rural education.(One day passes are available too!) Featured speakers and workshops will focus on writing and narrative, the humanities, interdisciplinary workshops and rural place based education. We welcome educators of all kinds: teachers, principals, all librarians and support staff, as well as student teachers or students enrolled in teaching programs. This conference is intended for those working with grades Pre-K–8.

We're delighted to announce that our Keynote Speaker is librarian & award winning author John Schu! The 2025 Dear Teacher Conference draws inspiration from John's picture book This is a School and also The Gift of Story. He will share the ways story speaks to our heart and brings us together and how books foster connection and understanding.