Nebraska State Literacy Association

an affiliate of the International Literacy Association

MEMBER LOG IN

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.

MENU/LINKS

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

REGISTER HERE

Register Now for the Summer Institute

Check out the Early-Bird Registration until April 15.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

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

Submit a proposal for a presentation.

Register Now!!

Summer Institute Flyer

You can still register to receive the
recordings and handouts of the Spring Speaker Series.

2023 NSLA Spring Virtual Speaker Series

Register Here!

Spring Speakers

Dr. Kelli Westmoreland (60 minutes)

Carol Jago (60 minutes)

Candace Fleming (60 minutes)

Dr. Wiley Blevins (90 minutes)

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
Submit a proposal for a presentation.

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 SPRING VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES

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. (60 minutes)

K-12/College Level

Carol Jago

ILA Board of Directors

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

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. (60 minutes)

Middle School and High School Level

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. (60 minutes)

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. (90 minutes)

Elementary Level

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

FOLLOW US!

MEMBER/CONTACT LOG IN

JOIN US!

Questions? email

admin@neliteracy.org