Every school year, I tell myself I’m going to write more on on the blog — and then life and school happens and I realize I haven’t written in months. I am still working on finding ways to be more consistent and to defeat my writer’s block (including using AI to outline this post). I do have a good excuse this year though. Not only have I taken two very theory-intense classes with very densely written texts that are making me rethink everything I thought I knew, but I’ve been working with several of my colleagues to craft English education conference presentations and articles on topics relevant to English teachers, administrators, and our ELA research colleagues.
Two of those presentations have been accepted at national conferences! I’m very excited about this and am hoping I can meet some of you this fall!
Fall 2023 Conferences
We’ll be presenting include the National Council of Teachers of English annual conference November 16-19 in Columbus, Ohio. I know, it’s not the same as Anaheim in 2022, but I’m looking forward to not only seeing another part of the country, but hopefully meeting some of you and attending your sessions.
Following the NCTE conference is the ALAN workshop held November 20 and 21 and also in Columbus. I love going because we get a HUGE box of books that I can read, write about (Yes, I’m still working on that one.), and share. I’m super excited about this presentation because the content is fascinating, especially considering how a few topics that are particularly relevant to young adult literature in the classroom keep cropping up over the decades.
Presentation Details
Several of my colleagues and I worked together earlier this year to write a proposal on “Connecting Writers: Creating Opportunities for Student-Led Writing in and Beyond the ELA Classroom.” We’ll be discussing how opportunities for students to create and collaborate with teachers and peers throughout the writing process are the keys to effective writing instruction. You’ll have the opportunity to join education professors, doctoral students, pre-service and current teachers to discuss inspiring leadership through metacognitive thinking, writing center pedagogy, student-led publications, inquiry-led work with AI, and student choice. The National Council of Teachers of English accepted our proposal, so we’ll be heading out to in Columbus in November! Presenters include: Dr. Crag Hill, Dr. Julianna Kershen, Tracy Hunt, Brianne Johnson, Kenzie Pratt, Jennevieve Scott, Shelly Unsicker-Durham, and Michelle Boyd Waters.
I am honored to be a part of another group in which we’ve been conducting a content analysis for the past two years. We submitted our proposal “Content Analysis of The ALAN REVIEW 1974-2023: Preliminary Findings” to the ALAN Workshop, who accepted it! Since 1974, The ALAN Review has been the top-tier journal for the teaching and scholarship of young adult literature. In this session, participants will engage with the past, present, and potential future of this seminal journal. Presenters include Dr. Crag Hill, Dr. Steven Bickmore, Dr. Terri Suico, and Michelle Boyd Waters.
My proposal “Intentional Bridgework: Fusing Professional Teaching and Collegiate Writing Center Experiences into Piloting a Secondary School Writing Center” was rejected, but the reviewers extended an invitation for me to resubmit it as a poster session, so I have. I’ll let you know if it is accepted for this format.
I would like to invite all English teachers to attend our sessions at both of these conferences this fall. In general, conferences provide a great opportunity for educators to learn about the latest trends and best practices in English education, and to connect with other professionals in the field. My presentations focus on both the theoretical and historical underpinnings of where we are and what we do in English Language Arts classrooms, but also best practices and strategies for engaging students in their own literacy work. I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences — and that of my colleagues — with you, and to engage in thoughtful discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing English teachers today. Don't miss out on this chance to learn and grow as an educator. If you’re a member of my newsletter, I’ll send out a notice when registration is available. If not, join here!
If you’re presenting at NCTE, ALAN, or any other ELA-related conference, let us know in the comments! I’d love to support your work and help more people learn about what you’re doing to help teachers reThink ELA.