Nebraska State Literacy Association

an affiliate of the International Literacy Association

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The mission of the Nebraska State Literacy Association (NSLA) is to lead in the promotion of literacy in the state of Nebraska through collaboration, advocacy and professional development.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCE 2022 - 2023

WHY ATTEND THE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE?

Comments from 2021/2022 Virtual Participants

"I appreciate being able to attend in this way. We are able to hear national speakers, and even though I could not usually join live, I appreciated hearing the recordings."
"This was convenient and the playback allowed me wiggle room in my busy teacher life."
"I have really appreciated the virtual format. You have had quality speakers."
"I thought it was awesome that you had the recordings available to watch. I really like the topics covered and thought the speakers had some really insightful and important information to share."
"I thought it was well organized and the idea of it taking place over several weeks was an added benefit. I looked forward to Thursday evenings!"
"As a virtual conference, it was well put together with the access to watch the recordings if you couldn't make it live."
"The format worked. I prefer in-person learning, but under the circumstances, I thought it was done well."
"Very impressed with the speakers. So glad NSLA held this conference during the pandemic."
"Fabulous! I appreciated all the national speakers and all the information."
"I appreciated the virtual conference. It hasn't worked out for me to attend the last few years, while I could find time to listen to the speakers virtually. Well done!"
"Thank you for the great efforts to provide this professional event!"

Become an NSLA Sponsor
Showcase your company, organization, college/university during our virtual events, on our webpage, listed in our Sponsor Directory, and in our newsletters.

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Mark Your Calendar - Save the Dates

2022 - 2023 NSLA Conference

Virtual Speaker Series

Fall Speakers

You can still register for the Fall Speaker series and
have access to the four recordings and handouts.
Registration open until Dec. 20 with
Recordings available until Jan 1, 2023.

Dr. Tiffany Young

Dr. Stephanie Burdic

Dr. Wiley Blevins

Dr. Lauren Gatti and J.J. Dugdale

Registration is open!!!

Fall Flier

NSLA Fall 2022 Book Study - "A Fresh Look at Phonics"

by Wiley Blevins

NSLA Member Benefit: Free!!

Join today to receive this member benefit.

All sessions can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home via zoom.

We will meet Monday evenings: October 17, 24, November 7, 21, December 5

6:30 pm (Central time) - Zoom

Think about registering for the NSLA Virtual Speaker Series and hear Wiley Blevins speak onMonday, November 15 at 6:00 PM (Central)

Buy your book so you are ready to join us:

Go to Corwin.com and search for: A Fresh Look at Phonics

Get 25% off and free shipping with the back-to-school sale. Use the code BTS2022.

Click here to register for the Book Study.

Spring Speakers

Thursday, February 23 - 6:00 PM Central Time

Dr. Kelli Westmoreland

Carol Jago

Thursday, March 2 - 6:00 PM Central Time

Candace Fleming

Dr. Wiley Blevins

Four main topics were identified as the main topics of interest for the Virtual Speaker series:

Determining effective instructional strategies for struggling readers
Increasing equity and opportunity for all learners
Building early literacy skills through explicit and systematic phonics instruction
Differentiating instruction (large group and small group)

Summer Institute (In-person)

Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Holthus Convention Center
York, Nebraska

Cornelius Minor, Keynote Speaker

NSLA Awards Luncheon

Breakout Sessions from Area Literacy Experts

Watch for registration information for the Spring Virtual Speakers Series and the Summer Institute soon!!

2022 - 2023 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE FEATURED SPEAKERS

Spring Speakers

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Thursday, March 2, 2023

6:00 PM Central Time

Registration will open in January.

Tiffany Young

Dr. Tiffany Young

Doane University

Rethinking Small Group Reading Instruction: Enhancing Equity through Differentiation

As we work hard to shift our whole group instructional practices to reflect reading science, what new considerations do we need to make for our small group instruction? How can we work to close the achievement gap by providing all students with access to grade level (or higher) texts while also meeting their individual instructional needs? These questions and more will be explored in this session with attention to specific resources, tips, and strategies to begin implementing into your classroom tomorrow.

Elementary Level

Dr. Stephanie Burdic | Millard North High School

Dr. Stephanie Burdic

Millard North High School

Building a World of Reading Choices Through your School and Classroom Libraries

As students mature in their reading preferences, how can we provide solid literature choices in our school and classroom libraries? What should be the criteria for book selection and how do we ensure that the reading choices we provide reflect the goals of equity, diversity, and inclusion? We’ll explore the dynamics of both large and small libraries in these times of greater scrutiny by the general public.

Middle School and High School Level

Fall Speakers

Monday, November 14

6:00 PM Central Time

Wiley Blevins: Early Readers and Transitional Chapter Books: What Are They and Why Are They Important? | Workshops for Children's Authors & Illustrators | Highlights Foundation

Dr. Wiley Blevins

Author and Phonics Specialist

Enhance Your Phonics Instruction with Decodable Text

Author and educator, Wiley Blevins, will explain the importance of quality decodable texts as a necessary tool for early literacy learning. He will provide suggestions on selecting strong decodable texts and ideas for what you can do if lacking this resource in your classroom. Join in the Q&A opportunity with him during this session!

Elementary Level

Dr. Lauren Gatti

UNL

J.J. Dugdale

LPS

Secondary
English Coordinator

Teaching Secondary Readers in ELA

In this presentation, Lincoln Public Schools secondary English coordinator, J.J. Dugdale, and UNL secondary English coordinator, Lauren Gatti, will share some of the opportunities and obstacles related to teaching older students reading. They will share examples of foundational reading strategies that apply to both students reading below and at or above grade level. Presentation will include interaction and discussion.

Middle School and High School Level

Spring Speakers

Thursday, February 23

6:00 PM Central Time

KelliWest Educational Services

Dr. Kelli Westmoreland

Educational Consultant

Inquiry: Celebrating All Kids!

Literacy instruction that encourages choice and voice builds students’ understandings of self, their community, and their world. In this session, we’ll look at how inquiry in the classroom offers equitable learning no matter of a student’s identity, race, gender, religion, socio-economic status, or ability.

Elementary Level

Carol Jago

ILA Board of Directors

The Book in Question: Why reading Is in crisis ...
and how we can turn this around

According to the most recent Common Sense Media survey, screen time for students ages 8 through 18 is up by 17%. By many accounts, young people’s mental health is deteriorating. Could reading provide an alternative to Tik Tok and a balm for their pain? As James Baldwin explained, “You think your pain and heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.” In this session Carol Jago will offer texts and tasks that engage students in an exploration of books that can help them thrive. She will demonstrate methods for accelerating the acquisition of essential comprehension skills and help students become bi-literate: capable of reading proficiently in both digital and traditional media.

Middle School and High School Level

Spring Speakers

Thursday, March 2 - 6:00 PM Central Time

Candace Fleming

Children's Literature Author

Writing Great Nonfiction With Kids

Can kids write engaging nonfiction? Absolutely! In this fast-paced presentation, award-winning author Candace Fleming will share her secrets for creating fascinating nonfiction. Participants will not only discover strategies for effective research and directed inquiry, but they will also leave with tips to help students create exciting “true stories” rather than dull, encyclopedic accounts.

Middle School and High School Level

Wiley Blevins: Early Readers and Transitional Chapter Books: What Are They and Why Are They Important? | Workshops for Children's Authors & Illustrators | Highlights Foundation

Dr. Wiley Blevins

Author and Phonics Specialist

Decoding and Encoding: Striking a Better Balance

This session focuses on incorporating more encoding/spelling activities into phonics instruction, including dictation, word building, word sorts, student writing observations, and cumulative spelling assessments.

Elementary Level

Summer Institute
IN PERSON

July 12, 2023

Cornelius Minor

Brooklyn-based educator

Title (TBA)

Description

A Message From Director of Professional Learning

Dr. Julie Kozisek

Director of Professional Learning

Professor Emeritus

Doane University

Dear Educators,

We hope you will join NSLA again this year for a Virtual Speaker Series that extends across the school year. We decided to continue to provide this form of professional learning to allow more access to all educators due to the sub shortage. You will have options for webinars in the fall and spring, plus an in-person summer institute. NSLA hopes we can help to meet your professional learning needs through the different webinars, book studies, and resources on the website. We are looking forward to creating a great virtual experience as we pursue our mission to lead in the promotion of literacy in the state of Nebraska through collaboration, advocacy, and professional development. Watch for more details. We hope you will join us!

Dr. Julie Kozisek

professionallearning@neliteracy.org

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2020 CONFERENCE

"I took something away from every session which I rarely ever say about a conference."

"I was very impressed with the speakers I listened to and how organized the conference was. I honestly learned a lot."

"The facilities were top notch, the food was delicious and most importantly the session topics and organization of sessions were very organized and efficient to meet participant needs! The Exhibit Hall was inviting and easy to access as well as easy access to visit with representatives/vendors."

"Top quality speakers for all sessions made it hard to choose which sessions to attend - a great problem to have!"
"This was a great conference! I took away many important lessons, got to make connections with lots of people, grew professionally and gained ideas for my teaching."
"I felt so inspired and renewed after after attending this conference! It's so great to have things reiterated that I maybe forgot, or to learn something new. Opportunities for networking were plentiful."

REASONS TO ATTEND THE NSLA CONFERENCE

"To be with other professionals that celebrate literacy"
"The conference is my opportunity for professional development and networking"
"Networking with professionals from NE and across the country"
"I really appreciated the applications to the classroom."
"Big takeaways from everyone I went to, which is huge"
"The topics covered were so relevant to my future and I am confident I can use many ideas, techniques and methods in my classroom."
"Gave me new ideas to bring back to the classroom and ideas for me as a reader and writer."
"To be with other professionals that celebrate literacy"
"The conference is my opportunity for professional development and networking"
"Networking with professionals from NE and across the country"
"I really appreciated the applications to the classroom."
"Big takeaways from everyone I went to, which is huge"
"The topics covered were so relevant to my future and I am confident I can use many ideas, techniques and methods in my classroom."
"Gave me new ideas to bring back to the classroom and ideas for me as a reader and writer."

STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

The Nebraska State Literacy Association (NSLA) Student Ambassador Program provides college students an opportunity for professional growth and networking at the NSLA annual conference. In addition to the paid registration, the students will receive memberships to Nebraska State Literacy Association and International Literacy Association levels. This is an excellent opportunity for professional growth and networking for pre-service teachers during the annual conference and beyond.
Students will submit an application to the Student Ambassador Committee.

Contact: Carin Appleget

Email: studentambassador@neliteracy.org

Applications are due (date TBA)

Information and application form will be updated

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admin@neliteracy.org