Skip to main content

NCTE 24 is Here!

I walked into the Westin Seaport in Boston on Wednesday and saw author Ruta Sepytys who was stepping off the elevator (I fangirled). At the bottom of the escalator, educator Penny Kittle was talking with a teacher. 

Ruta Sepytys and me (NCTE, 2023)

Columbus, Ohio


These sightings are just an example of the humanity that exists within the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) organization. This year’s theme, Heart, Hope, and Humanity, is sure to capture all the greatness among English teachers. 


Can’t be with us at the annual convention? Missed a session because you are double- triple- quadruple-booked (because there are so many amazing sessions?). Follow along this weekend for a recap of the sessions and events I will attend. 



This is my 17th NCTE conference (and the second in Boston!). NCTE does many things for its members. The annual convention reminds me about three of those things: it opens doors, provides access, and makes available great minds and hearts to make all of us better. 


Thursday Highlight

Opening Keynote: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman ever confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States. (4 p.m. EST)



Three book committees meet to deliberate and choose the 2025 winners in poetry (Children’s Poetry Awards Committee), nonfiction (Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children), and children’s/middle grade fiction (Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children Committee). Seeking new members! 


Upcoming: On Saturday, I will share highlights from the 2024 winners! 


Enjoy the convention, follow along, and plan to return home with renewed energy, passion, ideas, and excitement. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This Thing Called Wrestling: A Poem for Moms (Version B, no pictures)

A wrestling poem for our daughters and sons In the arena of strength and might,  Warriors clash with all their fight,  Moms stand as guardians, guiding lights,  Moms of wrestlers, hearts take flight.  Singlets donned and shoes laced tight,  Our children step forth into the wrestlers' fight.  Warriors on the mat, relentless and bright, Moms cheer from the stands, with all our might.  Grueling practices and endless drills, A wrestler’s determination never stills.  With every takedown, pin, and win,  Moms witness their passion, their spirit within.  Wrestling rooms – sweat-soaked and tough, Wrestlers learn resilience, discipline, and all is enough.  Moms watch them grow, fierce and kind, True embodiment of body and mind.  Moms bandage their wounds, seen and not, With tender care, moms tend a lot. A mother’s love knows no bounds, Supporting their dreams, hearing wrestling sounds. In the face of setbacks and moments of doubt, Moms o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Principal Literacy Series. Marshmallow and Me: A Principal and Her Reading Buddy’s Literacy-Leading Journey

  I brought them to life.  I massaged the heart. I promised devotion, loyalty, and allegiance.  And, I wasn’t alone.  Students at Bain Elementary School in Cheyenne, Wyoming, gave them a name. “A name gives identity to a person,” said Rosalie in Robyn Dabney’s The Ascenditure (p. 28). The kids named them Marshmallow.  And, Marshmallow came to life on December 4, 2023.  Marshmallow has been to school with Bitsy Bat and Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire.  Marshmallow has danced under the Northern Lights.  Marshmallow has made friends with students in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade during monthly read-alouds.  And, Marshmallow and I have set out on a reading adventure.  This is just one way I model a love for reading and lead a literacy initiative at my school.  As a principal literacy leader, a passion for reading should be evident. Share your favorite books, discuss reading with students, encourage teachers and librarians to book ta...
Post a Comment
Read more

This Thing Called Wrestling: A Poem for Moms [Version A with pictures]

In the arena of strength and might,  Warriors clash with all their fight. Moms stand as guardians, guiding lights,  Moms of wrestlers, hearts take flight.  Bradley and Ben, 2010.  Singlets donned and shoes laced tight,  Our children step forth into the wrestlers' fight.  Warriors on the mat, relentless and bright, Moms cheer from the stands, with all our might.  Ben, 2015. Grueling practices and endless drills, A wrestler’s determination never stills.  With every takedown, pin, and win,  Moms witness their passion, their spirit within.  Ben with a pin, 2024. Wrestling rooms – sweat-soaked and tough, Wrestlers learn resilience, discipline, and all is enough.  Moms watch them grow, fierce and kind, True embodiment of body and mind.  Bradley in NIC wrestling room, 2024. Shout out to Dishaw Photography.  Moms bandage their wounds, seen and not, With tender care, moms tend a lot. A mother’s love knows no bounds, Supporting thei...
Post a Comment
Read more