Update
WSRA
NEWSLETTER OF THE WISCONSIN STATE READING ASSOCIATION
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A Letter from the President Change Comes to the WSRA Journal Looking to Get Involved? Broadband Accessibility: No Longer a Luxury Local Councils Embrace the Virtual World WSRA’s Online Literacy Learning Academy Young Voices Virtual Field Trips! November Joyful Voices Academy Joyful Voices Recorded Sessions Literacy Learning October 14th Academy WSRA Membership Application
WHAT’S INSIDE
VOLUME 33 • NUMBER 4 • NOVEMBER 2020
A Letter from the President
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Submitted by La Tasha Fields, WSRA President 2020-2021
reetings WSRA Literacy Leaders,
Despite the challenging times, WSRA leaders’ response and commitment to literacy leadership in Wisconsin is commendable. I would like to begin by congratulating the WSRA Conference planning team, led by First Vice-President, Michelle Mullen, for a successful kick-off to the WSRA 2020 Conference, Raising Our Voices: Empowering All Learners Today to Change the World Tomorrow. Dr. Bettina Love’s October 14th keynote, We Gon’ Be Alright, But That Ain’t Alright: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom, was a reminder of what it means to be an abolitionist and how abolitionist teaching creates systems for students to thrive, and not simply survive. If you missed the October sessions, no worries! You can register for one or more of the upcoming conference sessions now through June 2021. Check out the WSRA website for additional details La Tasha Fields Additionally, thank you to the WSRA Councils and Zone Coordinators, under the leadership of the State Council Coordinator, Gale Gerharz, for working diligently to offer a variety of virtual sessions for members. Many of the sessions are at no cost to members. As we settle into fall, know that you are not alone in the challenges that many of us face as we work to educate children, care for our families, and practice self-care. Let us commit to continuing to hold each other up as we give grace to ourselves and others and continue to make a difference in the lives of educators and children. In excellence,
La Tasha Fields
Update The Wisconsin State Reading Association provides leadership, advocacy, and professional learning for the implementation of effective literacy practices, recognizing the complex nature of literacy and engaging students to apply their literacies in meaningful ways in a changing world.
WSRA Update
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Luedeke President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . La Tasha Fields President Elect . . . . . . . . . . . Position Open 1st Vice President . . . . . . . Michelle Mullen 2nd Vice President . . . . . . . . . Gayle Luebke 3rd Vice President . . . . . . Ryanne Deschane Past President . . . . . . . . . . Deborah Cromer Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amber Bartlein Recording Secretary . . . . . . Jennifer Metzer Coordinating Secretary . . . . . Terri Schneider Committee Coordinator . . . . . . . Sue Boquist State Council Coordinator . . . . . . Gale Gerharz Central Zone Coordinator . . . . Brian Perrodin NE Zone Coordinator . . . . . Amy Roggenbauer NW Zone Coordinator . . . . . . . . . Teri Lassig SE Zone Coordinator . . . . . . . . . Tanya Evans SW Zone Coordinator . . . . . Amanda DeVries Membership Director . . . . . . . . Sabrina Rolli Public Relations Liaison . . . . . Norm Andrews Legislative Committee Chair . Kathy Champeau DPI Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Adams DPI Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barb Novak Special Events Coordinator . . Denise Engstrom ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Joyce Uglow 909 Rock Ridge Road Burlington, WI 53105-7230 (262) 514-1450 wsra@wsra.org UPDATE DEADLINES The newsletter will be published in September, November, January, March, May and July. Submission for each issue must be received by the 15th of the month preceding publication. Articles that are not time-sensitive are accepted by the editor at any time.
Kelly Luedeke, Editor WSRA Update luedeke.wsra@gmail.com WSRA WEBSITE wsra.org
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Change Comes to the WSRA Journal Submitted by Judy Hartl, Publications Committee Chair
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avid Bowie’s song, Changes, states that it’s “time to face the strange.” Was he seeing into 2020? Michael Jackson wrote, “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.” John Mayer said his generation was just “waiting on the world to change,” and Dylan warned, “You better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changin’.” Songs about change are endless, so we shouldn’t stress too much about the many changes swirling around at this time. “Change is the only constant.” I think that quote is attributable to Isaac Asimov. Even though changes in the WSRA Journal editorial staff seem much less stressful or profound, they still will impact the direction of the Journal’s focus. Jacqueline Witter-Easley, Ed.D., has managed the Journal’s professional standards since September 2014 until the present. That equates to editing eleven Journals and writing articles highlighting the themes within those issues. She thanks the outstanding editorial review team she assembled for assisting in reaching high standards. Witter-Easley noted that adding new columns such as, “Wonderful Wisconsin Children’s Authors” and “Teaching Tips From WSRA Council Leaders” created a dynamic change in the focus of the Journal. As Witter-Easley steps down, Amy Frederick, Ph. D., will begin to bring her influence and style to the Journal. Frederick comes to the position with high credentials. She earned her doctorate from the University of Minnesota and has received numerous awards, including the P. David Pearson Scholar Award from the Minnesota Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Center for Reading Research. She directs the MSE Reading Program at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and chairs the WSRA Reading Research Committee. Frederick has been on the Journal editorial team and has been one of the lead reviewers during Witter-Easley’s editorship, so she is familiar with the Journal’s high professional standards. Change is inevitable, but thanks to the deep pool of talent in our organization, this change continues to build on the expertise that matters!
Looking to Get Involved? Submitted by Sue Boquist, WSRA Committee Coordinator
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he Early Childhood Literacy Committee works to promote emergent literacy practices in preschools, day care centers, and kindergartens. Is this your passion, too? Please consider joining this committee to get in on this exciting work. The Preservice Teachers Committee is looking to expand its membership to include teachers in the first few years of their education career. Did you know this committee offers scholarships to attend the WSRA conference? By expanding their membership to early career teachers, a more diverse group may be eligible for scholarships. This group also seeks to support new teachers in addition to education students. By expanding the committee's membership, new teachers will have a place to commiserate and learn from others experiencing some of the same challenges and successes. For more information on either of these committees, submit a self-nomination form (found on the WSRA website), and someone will be in contact with you. WSRA values the expertise of the educators in Wisconsin and welcomes members who value the beliefs of WSRA: Research Grounds Us, Expertise Matters, Literacy is a complex process that requires a comprehensive approach and a mindset shift.
WSRA Update
Broadband Accessibility: No Longer a Luxury
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Submitted by Cindy Kane, Central Wisconsin Reading Council, WSRA Legislative Representative
om grew up on a farm in southwest Minnesota where they did not have access to electricity until 1938 when she was in high school. Imagine the changes that electricity brought to work and life in general to rural America. With a flip of the switch, you could clearly see the entire room. Light was extended into the late evenings for reading and studies for school. Time-saving appliances and machinery alleviated the drudgery of daily work.
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At some point, the electrical connections and telephone lines to business and residences, that had been viewed as a luxury, came to be considered essential for business, individual, and community well-being. Utility companies provided the infrastructure necessary for these connections and worked out plans to make availability across communities a reality. By contrast, internet access has long been considered a luxury, and as a result, a cohesive, comprehensive infrastructure plan has not been developed by internet access providers. Because such a plan was not seen as lucrative, many communities in rural areas remain without broadband service.
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Let’s think about how our lives have been powerfully changed with the coming of internet technology. At the touch of our fingers, we have access to information, communication, and entertainment without stepping one foot out the door. Many people. young and old. are working and studying remotely. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity of this service and revealed the barrier to reaching our potential which is created by the lack of broadband access for those of us living in rural areas.
Why must we continue to work for broadband access for all in rural America especially for our young people? • Young people will choose to live and raise their families in the country if they have the same high speed internet as their city friends. Currently, my family has 15 MB download and .5-1 MB upload. This is not close to the definition of high speed internet which is 25 MB download. • Businesses will choose to locate in the country if they have access to high speed internet. This includes not just agriculturally-based businesses but also businesses that are not dependent on location. During the pandemic it was easy for many people to work remotely from home if they had access to adequate internet service even though they were physically miles from their place of employment. • Challenges to providing educational opportunities for all of our Wisconsin students in the form of remote learning have been exacerbated by the lack of broadband internet access for all.
Two ways to address the elevated internet access crisis brought about by the pandemic • Relief - Any national or worldwide disaster needs an immediate response. Educators rose in response to the urgency of providing education to students remotely in March 2020 when schools closed their doors for public safety. Many Chromebooks were distributed, and hot spots were provided to students in coordination with the support of internet providers. • Development - Eight months later, we continue to problem solve our way to providing educational services remotely. We do not know exactly how the experience of remote instruction will impact change for education post pandemic. However, we know there will be change, and the need for a long term
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solution to making broadband service available for all students is evident.
What lessons can we learn from the Rural Electrification Act (REA) of 1936 to guide us in advocating for equitable broadband access? • There were many players in making the REA a reality in rural America. Farmers, cooperative members, Farm Bureau members, county/state extension staff, university staff, and legislators all needed to be in communication and on the same page in order to coordinate the effort to bring electricity to the country.
What can educators do to make broadband accessibility a possibility for all? • Work for broadband access for all by contacting many of these same players. In addition to contacting these groups for support for broadband service, we can contact our school board members, administrators, and education associations. We need to request that this service be included under the responsibilities of the Wisconsin Public Services Commission (PSC) and request their help. Internet providers also are included as one of the many players bringing broadband services to rural areas. • Many people don’t see the need for fast, reliable, affordable internet service. Educate the public about how high speed internet increases property value. The internet is important for their children/grandchildren’s schooling. The internet is invaluable for rural development in bringing business/economic/job growth and keeping young families in our communities. • Pay attention to what is happening on Governor Ever’s 2020 Task Force on Broadband Service. Dates for the Broadband Task Force meetings can be found at https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/ BroadbandGovernorsTaskForce.aspx These task forces have been happening for the last 20 years, but now is the time for the task force to solve this conundrum for the sake of our students’ education, job growth, and the health of our rural communities.
References: https://www.quora.com/What-year-did-telephones-become-standard-inU-S-home
WSRA Update
Local Councils Embrace the Virtual World IN
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Submitted by Gale Gerharz, WSRA State Council Coordinator
his year has been one full of challenges. Our local councils have embraced these challenges with innovation and excitement and a little trepidation. Many of our Speakers Bureau speakers and other presenters have been willing to do presentations in this virtual world. The councils have planned many great experiences. Did you know that WSRA members with their local council membership have reciprocity allowing you to attend meetings at all 25 of WSRA’s local councils? In the times before COVID-19, attending other council meetings might have been a long night driving to a distant council and then driving home after a full day of school. However, during these COVID-19 times, it is a great way to see speakers at councils you would not have been able to go to before. Please watch the WSRA Calendar, the WSRA Update, and WSRA InTouch along with council
promotions for upcoming events and opportunities. These virtual presentations are often free or have a small fee. You can register by contacting the council or checking the WSRA Calendar. You will receive a link for the Zoom meeting/webinar and can take advantage of hearing many great professional development opportunities.
Here is a line up of upcoming local council events: October 2020 • October 15 • October 20
Digital Formative Assessment with Keith Schroeder, Southeast Zone From the WSRA Virtual Conference - Baptiste Paul and Liza Wiemer present Upstanders: Helping Students Speak Up Against Injustice and Hate, Central Zone
November 2020 • November 10 Passionate Readers with Pernille Ripp, Southwest Zone • November 10 Success in Online Learning with Keith Schroeder, Central Zone • November 12 Digital Tools for Enriching Writing with Keith Schroeder, Southeast Zone
December 2020 • December 1 • December 8
How to Create, Develop, Sustain and Assess a Socratic Seminar with Peg Grafwallner, Central Zone Best Books with CCBC, Southwest Zone
January 2021 • January 11 • January 19 • January 28
Mindfulness and Self-Care for Teachers with Amanda Semrad, Southwest Zone Attending to Language for ELL and ALL (Academic Language) Learners with Kelly Luedeke, Central Zone Curious Journey with Brian Wilhorn, Southeast Zone
February 2021 • February 4 • February 16
Interventions with Jan Richardson, Southwest Zone Designing Comprehension Instruction through Knowledge RichText Sets, Southeast Zone
March 2021 • March 2
Ramped up Read Alouds with Maria Walther
April 2021 • April 20
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Nurturing Literacy Lives with Kathy Champeau
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WSRA Update
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WSRA Update
Literacy Learning October 14th Academy IN
Submitted by Dana Hagerman, Conference Planning Committee
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he Literacy Learning October Academy on the 14th was impressive with the line-up of speakers and variety of important conversations about race, equity, community, social justice, writing, and empowering ourselves and our students.
Some of the ideas taken from just TWO of the day’s presenters included: • Schools/Districts/Organizations have developed “equity positions,” but unfortunately, there has not been much equity coming out of these roles. • We are complicit in “spirit murdering.” • We need to become co-conspirators and use our white privilege to promote change. • We must disrupt the status quo! • Have discussions about what social justice work means to us and to our communities. • Critique the curriculum we teach. Ask ourselves, “What is missing?” • Kids need to see "real people" as characters in books, not just animals. • We all have barriers we must get through; these can include fear, language, ourselves. • Keep a writer’s notebook. • Writers find interesting stories in ordinary lives. • Be willing to fail. • Ask yourself: What moves you? What do you wonder about? What do you notice? • Pay attention to small details. • A writer’s notebook is a safe, private place to write, to take chances and try things out, to inspire and to encourage myself as a writer and a person. The next Literacy Learning Academy is on October 28th. These academies take place two days each month and include both day and evening sessions, virtual field trips for students, and topics that are relevant and inspiring. In this time of uncertainty,
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frustration, and even exhaustion, I encourage everyone to join us in these learning opportunities. They reignite the flame and passion that brought us into this wonderful field and give us power to continue on in solidarity!
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WISCONSIN STATE READING ASSOCIATION
Job Announcement: We are Looking to Hire an Administrative Assistant Submitted by La Tasha Fields, WSRA President 2020-2021
Deadline: November 30, 2020 Position: WSRA Administrative Assistant Salary: Competitive Requirements: • Must be willing to be a member of Wisconsin State Reading Association and a Wisconsin local reading council and is encouraged to be a member of the International Literacy Association. • Shall be proficient in computer use (including word processing, data processing, and email). • Shall demonstrate good organizational skills. • Shall demonstrate effective communication skills. • Shall have facilities appropriate for working out of home. • Must be willing to use his/her home address as the official address of WSRA. • Shall have flexible time available to work for approximately 2100 hours annually. • Shall be able to attend all WSRA meetings, conferences, and institutes. • Shall be willing to be bonded. • Shall have the ability to recognize and edit professional writing. • Shall agree to a term of two years. The Administrative Assistant may be rehired for additional year(s) pending successful renegotiation of the agreement and appropriate Board of Directors approval. All interested applicants should apply at: www.wsra.org/submit See the full job description on the “Submit” page For more information, please contact WSRA President La Tasha Fields at: latashafields29@gmail.com
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Update
WSRA’s Mission Statement
909 Rock Ridge Road Burlington, WI 53105-7230 262-514-1450
WSRA's Mission Statement
The State WisconsinReading State ReadingAssociation Association The Wisconsin provides provides leadership, advocacy, and professional leadership,learning advocacy, and professional for the implementation of effective learning literacy practices, recognizing the naturepractices, for the implementation of effectivecomplex literacy of literacy and engaging students to apply their in meaningful ways in a changing world. and recognizingliteracies the complex nature of literacy engaging students to apply their literacies in meaningful ways in a changing world. WSRA Beliefs Expertise Matters! Research Grounds Us! Literacy is a complex process requiring a comprehensive approach and a mindset shift.
WSRA’s Belief Statement WWW
Expertise Matters!
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Research Grounds Us!
wsra@wsra.org
Literacy is a complex process requiring a comprehensive approach and a mindset shift.
facebook.com/WSRAread @WSRAliteracy
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WSRA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL Today’s Date First Name
Initial
Last Name
Home Address City
State
Zip +4
Place of Employment Duties, Title & Level/Dept. Cell Phone (
)
Work Phone (
)
Home E-mail Are you a member of International Literacy Association?
Yes
Are you a member of a local reading council?
Yes No If yes, check name(s)
Membership Number
No
Access information about local reading councils at http://www.wsra.org/councils Submit your self-nomination to join a committee at http://www.wsra.org/committees-task-forces
Renewal
WSRA Membership Number
New
Membership is for one year from the date of joining. Dues may be tax deductible. Some of the information provided will be in the WSRA Membership Directory. Visit www.wsra.org/membership-application to join or renew and pay by credit card to expedite your membership benefits or mail your $39 check with this form payable to WSRA at 909 Rock Ridge Road, Burlington, WI 53105
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