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Registration Open for the National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes

Registration Open for the National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes

Registration for the 52nd National DI Conference is open! Plan to join educators from around the world at the Graduate Hotel in Eugene, Oregon, July 20-24, 2026! The conference offers training in a wide range of Direct Instruction programs, as well as comprehensive institutes for instructional leaders, coaches, and professional development specialists.

This year, we are excited to host Dr. Carl Hendrick, an educational consultant, author, and researcher, as our featured keynote speaker. His presentation, 10 Rules for Designing Effective Learning that Works for Every Student, will examine how Direct Instruction programs model all features that have come to be accepted as the science of learning and teaching. We are also happy to welcome speaker Ernesto Rodriguez. His keynote, Direct Instruction: Not Only for Reading, But Also for Building a Better Life, will highlight his compelling story and give insights into how we can break the school-to-prison pipeline that poor instruction creates.

No matter what your job title is–principal, supervisor, literacy coach, teacher, paraprofessional, professor, or something else–the National DI Conference has something for you. Plan on coming to Eugene this summer, take advantage of the beautiful location, and take part in the most comprehensive offering of Direct Instruction training and information available—anywhere!

Which best describes your role?

Curriculum Decision Maker
School and District Leader

Interested in learning how to implement Direct Instruction in your district, school, or home? NIFDI can help. Click a button below to learn more. 

Leaders
Coaches
Teachers
Parents
What is a Peer Coach?

Peer coaches play a critical role in sustaining strong implementation of Direct Instruction (DI) at the school level. Selected during the first year of implementation, peer coaches are classroom teachers who demonstrate strong instructional practice, effective communication with colleagues, and a willingness to support others. Because they teach the same programs as their peers, they bring practical expertise and shared experience that help build trust and collaboration across the school.

As implementation progresses, peer coaches extend the impact of NIFDI consultants by providing ongoing, school-based support when consultants are not on-site. Their coaching is non-evaluative and focused on improving student outcomes. Peer coaches reinforce effective teaching practices and guide colleagues to make targeted adjustments that directly impact student performance and behavior.

Peer coaches participate in a structured, multi-year training sequence through NIFDI. Over the course of two to three years, they are trained to analyze student performance data, conduct both brief and extended classroom observations, and support data-driven problem solving. Advanced training prepares them to lead grade-level meetings and contribute to broader instructional planning with school leadership.

By developing peer coaches, schools build internal capacity to maintain and strengthen DI implementation over time—ensuring continuity, supporting new staff, and driving sustained student achievement.