ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
48th Annual
LITERACY
CONFERENCE
alaliteracy.org - #alaonline2020
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48th Annual Literacy Conference
Table of Contents Agenda 3 ALA Officers 4 ALA Chair’s Message 4 ALA/ARA Past Presidents 4 Conference Sponsors 5 Session One 7 Session Two 9 Session Three 11 Book Awards 13 Breakout Sessions 15 ILA State Coordinator’s Message 16 ILA Past State Coordinators 16
Welcome to ALA’s 48th Annual Literacy Conference
Session Four 17 ALA Awards and Recognitions 18 Local Reading Council Presidents 18 Local Council Honorees 18 Session Five 19 State Committee Chairs 20 Council Map 20 What is the Arkansas Literacy Association? 20
Literacy and Justice for All 2
Session Six 21 2021 and ALA 22
Welcome!
ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
8:00 Welcome Chair Kelly Hogan
ILA Greetings
Kia Brown-Dudley, ILA Board Member
8:30
Session 1
Kekla Magoon
9:30 10:30
Session 2
Julie Washington
Session 3
Donalyn Miller
11:30
Break
11:45
Book Awards
12:30
Breakout Sessions
1:30
Session 4
Kia Brown-Dudley
2:30
Session 5
Ruta Sepetys
3:30
Session 6
Alan Gratz
4:30
Closing
Chair Kelly Hogan
Craig O’Neill and Jeanne Trawick
#alaonline2020
alaliteracy.org
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48th Annual Literacy Conference
Arkansas Literacy Association State Officers 2020-2021 Chair Kelly Hogan
Technology Coordinator Danna Williams
Chair-Elect Kacy Barden
Public Relations Tammy Gillmore
Immediate Past-Chair Deborah McMillan
ILA State Coordinator Jeanne Trawick
Secretary Lyndsey Laster
University Liaisons April Evans Amy Thompson
Treasurer Karen Robinson Parliamentarian Gia Taylor Historian Rochelle Dalton Membership Director Jill Fields
Executive Secretary Krista Underwood Dept. of Education Liaison Kathy Mascuilli At Large Board Member LaTanza Atkins Tara Derby Jon Ortiz
A Message from the ALA Chair
Welcome to the Arkansas Literacy Association’s 48th annual literacy conference! Though our format has changed this year, we are so happy that you are joining us for this special event. As educators, we all know the term monitor and adjust, and that phrase has never been more fitting than it has for the 2020-2021 school year. I continue to be in awe of the lengths Arkansas educators have gone to ensure sound and effective instruction for all of our students. Thank you for your dedication and for taking the time to advance your professional skills by participating in our literacy conference. Our theme this year is Literacy and Justice for All, which could not be more timely. Our country is going through many pivotal changes in the fight for social justice, and the field of education is greatly impacted by these changes. As we seek to battle injustices in our schools and communities, let us remember that we all have a great weapon in our arsenal: a love of literacy. Literacy can help us be better communicators. Literacy allows us to find common ground with others, even those whose experiences and viewpoints may be quite different from our own. Literacy encourages us to show empathy for others. Let us continue to promote literacy in our communities and use this passion as a tool to make our world a better place for the next generation. Thank you all again for taking the time to attend our conference. We hope you will feel rejuvenated and inspired to continue doing the good work of spreading a love of literacy. Kelly Hogan ALA Chair
ALA/ARA PAST PRESIDENTS
2019-2020 – Deborah McMillan 2018-2019 – Tara Derby 2017-2018 – Kaila Murphy 2016-2017 – Dorothy Pollett 2015-2016 – Melisa Rutherford 2014-2015 – Caroline Schenk 2013-2014 – Kay Calvert 2012-2013 – Debbie Hardwick-Smith 2011-2012 – Paula Findley 2010-2011 – Linda Eilers 2009-2010 – Julie Reardon 2008-2009 – Tina Montgomery 2007-2008 – Glenda Nugent 2006-2007 – Jerrielynn Mapp 2005-2006 – Wendy Ellis 2004-2005 – Janis Gibson
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2003-2004 – Jerrielynn Mapp 2002-2003 – Trudy Jackson 2001-2002 – Carolyn Schumacher 2000-2001 – Martha Shirrell 1999-2000 – Pam East 1998-1999 – Jeanne Trawick 1997-1998 – Billie Ann Dishongh 1996-1997 – Krista Underwood 1995-1996 – Martha Simpson 1994-1995 – Mary Mosley 1993-1994 – Tanna Clark 1992-1993 – Cathy French 1991-1992 – Susan Peterson 1990-1991 – Alice Stovall 1989-1990 – Bettye Wright 1988-1989 – Martha Couch
1987-1988 – Jo Flanigan 1986-1987 – Kathy Shirron 1985-1986 – Barbara Blalack 1984-1985 – Jannine Riggs 1983-1984 – Bobbie Hodge 1982-1983 – Sarah Womble 1981-1982 – Marlene Reed 1980-1981 – Anna Heatherly 1979-1980 – Pat Yick 1978-1979 – Brownie Kimbrough 1977-1978 – Dorothy McKinnon 1976-1977 – Betty Morgans 1975-1976 – Margaret Pope Hartley 1974-1975 – Sybil Hill 1973-1974 – June Smith 1972-1973 – J. Kendall Hoggard
ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Benchmark Education Company
Curriculum Associates
Amplify
Wilson Language Training
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
95 Percent Group
Speaker Sponsor for Dr. Julie Washington
Zaner-Bloser
Thank you! Thank you, ILA!
One of today’s attendees will receive a free ILA PD session to “Planning for Social-Emotional Learning in Literacy Instruction.” 5
48th Annual Literacy Conference
Gold Sponsor
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ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Session 1 - 8:30-9:25
Far From Ordinary: The Un-Hero’s Journey
The stories we tell often focus on heroes, seemingly exceptional people who face the greatest challenges of life and emerge victorious. But stories can also remind us of our own potential and how one ordinary person can make a difference.
Kekla Magoon is the author of many novels and nonfiction books for young readers, including The Season of Styx Malone, The Rock and the River, How It Went Down, and the Robyn Hoodlum Adventure series. She has received an NAACP Image Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the John Steptoe New Talent Award, three Coretta Scott King Honors, The Walter Award Honor, the In the Margins Award, and has been long listed for the National Book Award. Ms. Magoon conducts school and library visits nationwide and serves on the Writers’ Council for the National Writing Project. She holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she now serves on faculty. Visit her online at keklamagoon.com. 7
48th Annual Literacy Conference
Gold Sponsor
Proud Speaker Sponsor of Dr. Julie Washington! 8
ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Session 2 - 9:30-10:25
Julie
Washington Author of Dyslexia: Revisiting Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Policy Intersection of Literacy, Poverty and Linguistic Variation: Teaching African American Children to Read
Poor reading skills of impoverished African American children are well-documented. The intersection of poverty, dialect, and literacy attainment contributes to these outcomes. This presentation discusses implications for learning, assessment and identification of disabilities. Julie A. Washington is the chair and a professor in the Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders. In addition, Washington is co-director of the Center for Research on the Challenges of Acquiring Language and Literacy, a multi-disciplinary initiative focused on children and adults who struggle with language and literacy, particularly those growing up or living in urban settings. Her work focuses on understanding cultural dialect use in African American children with a specific emphasis on the impact of dialect on language assessment, literacy attainment and academic performance. Currently, Washington is a principal investigator on the Georgia Language Disabilities Research Innovation Hub, funded by the National Institutes of Health – Eunice Shriver National Institute on Child Health and Human Development. This research hub is focused on improving early identification of reading disabilities in elementary school-aged African American children and includes a focus on children, their families, teachers and communities. 9
48th Annual Literacy Conference
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ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Session 3 - 10:30-11:25
Book Access for All
Children and teens with meaningful access to books at school and home achieve higher levels of academic attainment (Evans, et al. 2014) and reading engagement (Guthrie, 2008). Unfortunately, too many young people, disproportionally children of color, indigenous children, and poor children, live in “book deserts” without the book access they need (Neuman & Moland, 2016). Even when books exist, restrictions on readers’ choices and practices that undermine readers’ agency long term can limit access, too. Donalyn Miller will share the conditions that support young readers’ book access and reading engagement, and resources for finding, evaluating, and sharing books. Donalyn Miller is an award-winning teacher, author, and staff development leader who has taught fourth, fifth, and sixth grade language arts and social studies in the Fort Worth, Texas area. Her teaching awards include TCTELA’s Elementary Language Arts Teacher of the Year (2011), Keller ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year (2010), ESC Region XI Teacher of the Year (2010), TEA State Finalist Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year (2010), Trinity Meadows Intermediate School Teacher of the Year (2010), and Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Region XI Rising Star Teacher (2008). In 2018, Donalyn was awarded TCTELA’s Edmund J. Farrell Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the language arts teaching profession. She is the author of several books about engaging children with reading, including The Book Whisperer and Reading in the Wild. Donalyn is the co-founder of the popular blog, The Nerdy Book Club, and co-hosts the monthly Twitter chat #titletalk. Her articles about teaching and reading have appeared in publications such as Education Week Teacher, The Reading Teacher, Educational Leadership, Horn Book, and The Washington Post. Donalyn and her husband, Don, have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. They live in Colleyville, Texas in a house full of bookcases. 11
48th Annual Literacy Conference
Gold Sponsor
Connect the
Science of Reading with a
Love of Learning
The Superkids Reading Program combines effective, brain-based reading instruction with engaging, character-based stories to build success. • Superkids teaches all aspects of reading, building from a foundation of systematic, explicit phonics instruction. • At the heart of the program are the Superkids characters, who keep students motivated and engaged in the serious work of learning to read.
Don’t miss our conference session, Building the Beginning Reader’s Brain. Download a brochure to learn how Superkids instruction reflects the science of reading at go.zaner-bloser.com/ALA-2020.
888.378.9258 | zaner-bloser.com
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Carol Bradford SALES CONSULTANT – READING
281.415.0836 carol.bradford@zaner-bloser.com
ADRRG75A 11.20
ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Book Awards - 11:45-12:25 Hosts Craig O’Neill and Jeanne Trawick
Congratulations! 2018-2019 Winners
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48th Annual Literacy Conference
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Silver Sponsors
ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Breakout Sessions - 12:30-1:25 Climate Change in the Classroom: Creating a Positive Learning Environment for all Students Bass, Tim, Education Advocate - Tim Bass Leadership
A teacher’s attention to the environment he/she creates in a classroom can pay huge dividends for a diverse student population as well as the teacher. This session will explore some of the best practices and evidence-based approaches for creating a positive classroom environment that helps inspire student engagement and cooperation while lowering teacher stress levels and giving more time for instruction. Intended Audience: Reading Teachers, Administrators/ Supervisors, Teacher Educators, Classroom Teachers, Title I Target Level: All
Equity and Access in Home School Connection and Student Achievement: The Pandemic-What Did We Learn? Brown, Vera, Associate Professor - U of A at Pine Bluff Lange, Sherry Michelle, Assistant Principal Dallas Independent School District The pandemic resulted in many schools transitioning to a form of education that a number of schools and homes were not readily prepared to meet. The presenters will discuss how equity and access became a major factor and question in connecting the home and school in educating a diverse population of students from low socioeconomic and marginalized communities.
The Impoverished Brain Johns, Angela, Teacher, Rivercrest High School
In this session, the presenter will guide attendees through the profound impacts on how poverty impacts the brain, how this affects learning, and what teachers can do to help. Intended Audience: All Target Level: All
SESSION CANCELED. Building the Beginning Reader’s Brain Leitzel, Stacey, Director of Professional Learning Services Zaner-Bloser
This interactive session will explore brain imaging studies and insights into beginning reading instruction. We will take an indepth look at the importance of creating “neural pathways” in the brain and translating this into best practices in the classroom.
Intended Audience: Reading Teachers, Administrators/ Supervisors, Curriculum Specialists, Teacher Educators, Classroom Teachers Target Level: Preschool/Kindergarten, Primary Grades (1-3)
Intended Audience: Reading Teachers, Administrators/ Supervisors, Curriculum Specialists, Teacher Educators, Classroom Teachers Target Level: Preschool/Kindergarten, Primary Grades (1-3), Intermediate Grades (4-6)
Bigotry, Bullying, and Brutality: The Social Injustice of Banning Books in Public Schools Carlson, Caroline, Associate Professor - Washburn University
Advancing Writing in the Virtual/Blended Environment Perry, Heidi, “Customer Success” - HMH/Writable
Intended Audience: All Target Level: All
Intended Audience: Reading Teachers, Administrators/ Supervisors, Curriculum Specialists, Teacher Educators, Classroom Teachers Target Level: Intermediate Grades (4-6), Jr. High/ Middle School (6-9), High School (9-12)
Books are routinely banned from public school libraries, restricting students’ abilities to read and reflect upon texts depicting all types of ideas and people – including ones like themselves and unlike themselves. This session will examine past and current banned books, the impact of those restrictions, and what can be done to advocate for access.
SESSION CANCELED. Empowering All Learners Through the Universal Language of Integrated Technology Daniels, Patricia, 5th Grade Literacy Teacher - Westside Elementary, Greenbrier School District Technology has become the universal language in a modern classroom. Technology empowers, gives voice, and connects all students regardless of reading and writing levels. Engineering skills and creativity skills also have no boundaries, and they are accessible by all levels of learners. This presentation will introduce teachers to apps, technology tools, resources, and technology integration ideas while meeting ELA Arkansas State Standards.
Intended Audience: Reading Teachers, Classroom Teachers, Media Specialists Target Level: Preschool/Kindergarten, Primary Grades (1-3), Intermediate Grades (4-6)
Writable is an amazing, easy to use, digital writing platform that helps teachers in grades 3–12 scaffold and motivate students to become purposeful, proficient writers. With hundreds of easily customizable assignments, including essays, short responses, student models, state-level benchmark assessments, and more, Writable saves teachers time in prep and grading, while supporting and guiding student inspiration!
#alaonline2020 alaliteracy.org
facebook.com/alaliteracy
twitter.com/ALAliteracy 15
48th Annual Literacy Conference
Bronze Sponsors
Amplify CKLA has been approved by the state of Arkansas. What can you expect from Amplify CKLA? • A program built on the science of reading •
Content where knowledge builds on knowledge
•
Foundational skills instruction that gets real results
•
Text and activities that level the playing field
Proudly supporting Arkansas educators:
ILA State Coordinator’s Message
Marty Pitts Senior Account Executive mpitts@amplify.com (214) 945-5544
Precious partner, We miss seeing you LIVE and hugging you! Don’t you love the energy and collegiality of our annual LIVE conference? We do, too. We miss it. We miss you. We are with you in spirit as you continue to provide excellence in learning and literacy for your students and families. We know your time is valuable and we truly hope we can be of inspiration, hope and help to you today and as we continue to get through this pandemic. Thank you for joining us as we celebrate Literacy and Justice for All online! Do you hear it? Do you hear the applause and accolades? We are saluting you! We are cheering you on alongside parents, community leaders, state leaders — all of us who know you are keeping all of us going. You are the backbone of our learning. Our children are the promise for tomorrow and you are keeping their life blood pumping and growing. Your work and tenacity affects us all greatly. Your positive “can do” outlook pours out upon all of us. We’ve always known the TEACHER is the #1 influencer in a child’s success in school, but NOW during the pandemic — NOW more than ever, you are more than the #1 reason for STUDENT success; you are ESSENTIAL to them in a multitude of ways. You are ESSENTIAL to their parents and to the community as a whole. We knew you wore a superabundance of “hats” as a teacher before the pandemic. Your “hat collection” has multiplied beyond ways we could never have imagined one year ago. We see you. We know. We are lifting you up in our thoughts and prayers and in our gratitude. Thank you for stepping up to this challenge. You are truly our superheroes day in and day out. Thank you for your courage and bravery. Thank you for your grace and flexibility. Thank you for truly living out, “Consider others as more important than yourself…” Your role is a demanding one, and we applaud you for walking it out in the utmost of integrity and professionalism knowing you are risking so much daily. Let us help in any way we can. Together - arm in arm - (with masks and social distancing!) we will see this through. Thank you for giving of your very best. Please follow us on Facebook and join us as we keep literacy learning at the forefront of all we do. We’d love to have you join a local council (state membership comes in sync with that) and the International Literacy Association, as well. We are here to support and help you. Blessings Jeanne Trawick, Arkansas Literacy Association State ILA Coordinator
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Past State Coordinators Krista Underwood Tanna Clark Susan Peterson Alice Stovall Sarah Womble Betty Morgans Sara Wilf Vernice Hubbard Lowther Penn
ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Session 4 - 1:30-2:25
ILA Board Representative Director of Literacy and Development for The Education Partners Equity, Access, and the Right to Read!
Every child, everywhere, deserves access to the education, opportunities, and resources needed to read. In this lively session, you will learn about the Children’s Right to Read campaign, explore resources, and discuss ways to enact this fundamental human right, addressing issues of equity and social justice for all. Kia Brown-Dudley currently serves as the Director of Literacy and Development for The Education Partners, where she collaborates with stakeholders to create transformational learning opportunities. Ms. Brown-Dudley’s career began as a teacher in the New York City Department of Education. Her expertise includes leading blended professional learning, developing research-based reading programs, and directing national initiatives advocating for transparency and equity in pre-K–12 education. She has collaborated with organizations such as the Boys’ Club of New York, Reading Is Fundamental, and the National Urban League on family and community literacy empowerment and is the author of the Read and Rise Family Guide. Ms. Brown-Dudley earned a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University and a Master of Arts in the Psychological Foundations of Reading from New York University 17
48th Annual Literacy Conference
2020 ALA Awards and Recognitions
Diamond Award
Davida Williams, Arkadelphia Jill Fields, Arkansas River Valley Suzanne Central Arkansas Kelly Hogan, Crowley’s Ridge Tara Derby, Grant County Roxanne Harper, Jefferson County Angie Betancourt, North Central Amy Castleberry, Reading on the Ridge Karen Robinson, SEARK Kacy Barden, Three Rivers Kathy Walter, White River
School-Based Literacy Grant
Eric Swenson, Harding Academy Kerri Kramer, Southside Elementary
Jo Flanigan Scholarship Mackenzie Thompson Searcy, AR
Local Council Presidents Arkadelphia Area - Jodie Daniell Arkansas River Valley - Jill Fields Central Arkansas - Rachael Armstrong
Arkadelphia Area Arkansas River Valley Central Arkansas Crowley’s Ridge Grant County North Central Reading on the Ridge SEARK Three Rivers White River
ILA Honor Council Arkadelphia Area Arkansas River Valley Crowley’s Ridge Grant County Jefferson County North Central Arkansas Northwest Arkansas SEARK Three Rivers
Celebrate Literacy Awards Agency
Goff Public Library Beebe, AR The Elrod Center-Ouachita Baptist University
Educator
DeAnn Blackard Clarksville Primary School
Community Leader Monica Yarbrough State Farm Insurance
Administrator in Reading
Roger Ried Southside Charter High School
Local Council Honorees
Honorees received complimentary registration to the ALA conference. One lucky honoree will receive $400 toward expenses to attend the 66th ILA Convention - date and place to be announced.
Local Council Honorees Arkadelphia - Davida Williams
Crowley’s Ridge - Danna Williams
Arkansas River Valley - Anne Nelson
Grant County - Lyndsey Laster
Central Arkansas - Courtney Brown
Jefferson County - Elizabeth Wall North Central Arkansas - Angie Betancourt Northwest Arkansas - Donna Owen Reading on the Ridge - Jennifer Austin
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ALA Literacy Grant
Crowley’s Ridge - Ashley Zielger Grant County - Lou Arnold Jefferson County - Kathy Carnahan North Central - Amy Burchfield Northwest Arkansas - Emma Kentner
SEARK - Karen Robinson
Reading on the Ridge - Amy Castleberry
Three Rivers - Kacy Barden
SEARK - Catherine Hall
Western - April Evans
Three Rivers - Leah Barber
White River - Kathy Walter
White River - Kristie Rounds
ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Session 5 - 2:30-3:25
Building Bridges Through Historical Fiction
History in Hiding: Uncover the power of historical fiction to engage readers, build bridges, create global dialogue, and facilitate human understanding.
Ruta Sepetys is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Winner of the Carnegie Medal who was born and raised in Michigan in a family of artists, readers, and music lovers. The daughter of a refugee, Ruta is drawn to underrepresented stories of strength through struggle and hopes to give voice to those who were not able to tell their story. Her award-winning historical novels are published in over 50 countries and have received over 40 literary prizes. Ruta was bestowed the Cross of the Knight of the Order by the President of Lithuania for her contributions to education and memory preservation and was recently honored with a postage stamp containing her image. She is extremely proud to be of Baltic heritage, even if that means she has a name no one can pronounce. Ruta lives with her family in the hills of Tennessee. 19
48th Annual Literacy Conference
2020-2021 State Committee Chairs Community Projects Rose Estes Exemplary Reading Program Angie Betancourt Intellectual Freedom Shelby Tedford International Projects Lou Arnold Nominations Deborah McMillan Legislative Crystal Parillon Celebrate Literacy Awards Ashley Ziegler Family Literacy Kristen Bowman School-based Literacy Grant Suzanne Rogers
AR Children’s Book Award Appointments Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Committee Amy Thompson Charlie May Simon Reading Committee Margie Nanak
Working on a graduate degree in literacy or a related area? Apply for the
Jo Flanigan Scholarship Awarded annually in the amount of $400. 20
WHAT IS THE ARKANSAS LITERACY ASSOCIATION?
The Arkansas Literacy Association (ALA) is a non-profit, professional organization whose members promote reading and literacy. There are approximately 1,000 members across Arkansas working to further literacy goals through local councils in communities all over Arkansas. The Arkansas Literacy Association is the state affiliate of the International Literacy Association (ILA).
PURPOSES OF ALA
• To improve the quality of reading instruction at all levels • To provide a local and statewide network of teachers and administrators associated with literacy issues • To support the activities of the local reading councils and provide a concentrated focus about literacy issues • To sponsor conferences and meetings to implement the purposes of the council • To stimulate/promote literacy research • To disseminate knowledge helpful in the solution of problems related to reading • To recognize and honor outstanding educators, authors, journalists, and others for significant contributions to reading and language arts • To further purposes of the International Literacy Association
Do you have a literacy project you want to implement in your school? Need funding for it? The Arkansas Literacy Association funds a grant for research based literacy projects. See the criteria and application here for this grant and more awards: http://alaliteracy.org/Awards-and-Grants
ALA...Literacy and Justice for All
Session 6 - 3:30-4:25
Social Thrillers
Bestselling middle grade author Alan Gratz discusses the inspiration behind some of his books like Allies, Grenade, Refugee, and Prisoner B-3087, and offers some “deep thoughts” about writing “social thrillers” for young readers.
Alan Gratz is the New York Times bestselling author of seventeen novels for young readers, including Refugee, Allies, Grenade, Prisoner B-3087, Projekt 1065, and Ban This Book. A Knoxville, Tennessee native, Alan is now a full-time writer living in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and daughter. Learn more about him online at www.alangratz.com.
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48th Annual Literacy Conference
Upcoming ALA Events
January 19: Podcasting February 16: Creative COVID Classrooms March 16: RISE and Technology
Literacy Awards Summer Council Leadership Institute Celebrate Deadline March 1, 2021 Hosted annually in July. Please plan to send four council leaders to this training meeting. Gather new ideas and the latest state/national literacy news. Network with other councils. Plan for 2021-2022.
Educator in Literacy Community Leader in Literacy Agency in Literacy
Administrator in Reading Award Due March 1, 2021 Go to Awards/Recognitions on website for forms.
Book Club 2021 Featuring Arkansas Authors! January 25: Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge By Kristin Gray More TBA on ALA website soon!
Change
the World... November 11-12, 2021
One Reader at a Time Little Rock, Arkansas - The Vines