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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CONFERENCE OPTIONS - 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!"

EXHIBITOR AND SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES
at the
SUMMER INSTITUTE

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Register Now for the Summer Institute

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Summer Institute (In-person)

Finding Our Way Forward

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

Cornelius Minor, Keynote Speaker

NSLA Awards Luncheon - Speaker - Julia Cook

Breakout Sessions from Area Literacy Experts

Register Now!!

Summer Institute Flyer

Cornelius Minor Resources

Short video - Hello from Cornelius

See specifics below about the Summer Institute.

Schedule

Cornelius's Workshops

Small Group Sessions

Cornelius Minor

Brooklyn-based educator

Middle School Literacy Coach

Cornelius will present two sessions:

Workshop #1

How to Listen to What Students Are Really Communicating

Authentic listening is one of the most powerful of all teacher behaviors. When we seek to craft better realities for our students and our peers, our listening has to be informed by what we know, what we are learning, and our desire to actually hear what our communities of families are telling us.

This session will help participants make changes to the classroom experience based on what we assess, how we innovate, and what we continue to hear from students.

Workshop #2

What We Read in Books, We Read in The World

People say that books make us better people or that writing can change the world. We will take a close look at our role as educators in ensuring that this happens.

Plan lessons, gather resources, and practice methods that help children to learn and practice critical thinking skills in the classroom—and to transfer to their world.

Cornelius will also be available to answer questions and autograph books.

Summer Institute Tentative Schedule

Registration 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM - Exhibits open

Workshop #I 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM - Cornelius Minor

Break 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Equitable Literacy Strategy Sharing - 10:15 - 11:45 AM

Small Group Sessions (Presented by area literacy experts)
Visit Exhibitors

Awards Luncheon 11:45 AM - 1:15 PM

Julia Cook - Luncheon Speaker - Boosting Mental Wellness for Educators

Break 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Workshop #2 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Cornelius Minor

NSLA Maryann Manning Awards Luncheon

Recognizing:

Scholarship Recipients

Distinguished Educator

Celebrate Literacy Recipient

2023 Summer Institute Small group sessions

Presented by area literacy experts

Tips for Engaging Below-Level Readers in Secondary Classrooms - (MS, HS, EL Sped)

Carrie Hepburn

Former ELA Curriculum Leader

Compass PD Founder

Dr. Hepburn will share tips for teachers to overcome the predictable problems of below-level readers in secondary classrooms. Participants will walk away with at least five tips to utilize at the beginning of the school year.

Providing Reading Interventions for Older Students, Grades 4-12 (Elem/MS/HS)

Teresa Franks

Interventionist, OPS

We'll look at two of the four evidence-based recommendations from the IES Practice Guide that teachers can use to deliver reading interventions to meet the needs of their students in grades 4-12.

Science of Reading: Tying It All Together - (EC, Elem)

Cheryl Couch

Director of Masters of Education

York University

An introduction to the Science of Reading for the PK-12 learner and how it is tied to the essential elements of reading that support literacy development across the ages

Instructional Routines for Literacy and Comprehension (EC, Elem)

Becky Michael

ELA Content Specialist

Nebraska Department of Education

Literacy and comprehension skills help students gain knowledge through reading. The Nebraska Department of Education has created a link explaining multiple routines to enhance these skills right at your fingertips.

Learning to See Images: Incorporating Visual Literacy Strategies in the Middle School Curriculum (Elem/MS)

Amy Stradtmann

Assistant Professor of Education and Director of

Middle Level Education

Concordia University

This session addresses strategies for teaching students to interpret layered information embedded in images and text. We will explore how to develop a metalanguage for making meaning and then apply visual literacy strategies to the meaning-making of historical fiction picture books.

"Windows, Mirrors, Sliding Glass Doors: Equitable Reading Strategies Start With You!" (Elem, MS, SEC)

Erin DeHart

Education Department Chair

York University

Kendra Mamea

In this session, the facilitators will discuss the importance of using diverse and multicultural literature in the classroom. In addition, they share professional development that assist in growth in using multicultural literature to create equitable experiences for students in our classroom

Little Things That Make a Big Difference - (Elem/MS)

Carrie Kracl

Professor

University of Nebraska - Kearney

After attending this session, Teachers/Participants will implement strategies in their classroom that will make a difference with student engagement and achievement.

Optimize Engagement Through Differentiation and Instructional Strategies (All)

Julie Kozisek

Professor

Doane University

This session will share a variety of strategies to optimize engagement in the classroom and meet the needs of all learners. Leave with new ideas to implement in the fall.

Equitable Approaches to Activate the Background Knowledge (Elem, MS)

Tiffany Young

Assistant Profesor

Doane University

Audra Haas

All learners arrive in our classrooms with unique stores of knowledge and life experiences. Learn specific strategies designed to effectively utilize the valuable background knowledge of all learners in promoting reading success.

Inquiry and equity: simultaneous standards and a sanguine sense of self (Elem)

Kelli Westmoreland

Consultant and Adjunct Professor

BK Ed Resources

This session will introduce simple methods of authentic inquiry using content from grade level standards and state ELA standards while honoring choice and equitable practices through the evaluations of text sets.

A Message From Director of Professional Learning

Dr. Julie Kozisek

Director of Professional Learning

Professor Emeritus

Doane University

Dear Educators,

It is time for our Summer Institute. We hope you will join NSLA this summer for an in-person experience. Cornelius Minor will be the keynote speaker sharing ideas to meet the needs of all of our students. We are looking forward to creating a great summer experience as we pursue our mission to lead in the promotion of literacy in the state of Nebraska through collaboration, advocacy, and professional development. 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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