March 2017's Online Professional Development Opportunities

I can't believe that March has started. Where I'm at, this means spring break, standardized tests, and starting to think about the second-half of the semester. It also presents a great time to take part in some professional development to refine skills and ideas or to learn (and try!) new ones.

February 2017's Online Professional Development Opportunities

With everything that is going on in the country and the world, it can be a little hard to focus on other things. However, I've found that, at times like these, it can be comforting to to find things that you can do that are proactive and that can help improve the future. I've been telling my students that, as future teachers, they have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help bring about change. In order to do this, it is vital to keep learning new techniques in teaching. So, without further ado, here are some very promising (and free!) online professional development opportunities for this month.

Day 1 of #NCTE16: Honesty, Hope, & Renewal

Hi, friends. I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I always start the school year with the best of intentions, and then the semester starts and undermines these intentions. Someday I'll figure out the school-writing-life balance. Additionally, the news of late has made it hard to write.

However, I am writing this from my hotel room in Atlanta, where I am for the 2016 NCTE Annual Convention. While I had a hard time to muster up my usual enthusiasm for the conference this year, today's events reaffirmed the importance of having organizations like NCTE. Today, I had the chance to see Shakespeare's First Folio and participate in a workshop led by some excellent scholar-teachers from the Folger Shakespeare Library. I heard Doug Hesse's moving and powerful speech regarding the importance of teaching writing and critical thinking during a time when these things might seem optional (or even unnecessary) rather than fundamental. I got to see Maureen Downey interview Diane Ravitch regarding the state of education and the possible changes that might be coming under the new administration in a way that was both honest and hopeful.

Banned Books Week 2016

Today is the start of Banned Books Week for 2016, and as I've written in 2014 and 2015, it is a week and a topic that is near and dear to my heart. This year's topic, which is spotlighting diversity, is especially timely and relevant. Research indicates that minority authors are often victims of having their books banned or challenged. Additionally, the books that are most likely to be banned are books that focus on some type of diversity. Although this isn't surprising, it is disheartening, since recent events as well as many of the close-minded sentiments that are said in this country and in the world illustrate the importance of reading books from diverse perspectives and about people who are different from us. While I wish that this focus wasn't needed, I'm thrilled that this year's Banned Books Week emphasizes it, and I hope that it helps continue the dialogue about diversity in books.

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association

August's and September's Online Professional Development Opportunities

Despite my best intentions, class prep and beginning-of-the-semester meetings got in the way of posting this month. However, before the month is out, I wanted to do a quick round-up of the upcoming professional development opportunities that August and September still have in store!

Book Round-Up for August 29: Finishing Up Summer Reading

Something I've learned about myself is that I have a latent competitive streak. While it doesn't always manifest itself, it can be a dangerous and powerful thing when it does emerge. It doesn't translate to sports (at which I am terrible at) or even in situations that seem competitive (think trivia night contents). However, it comes out in full force when I am competing against myself. This is particularly true when it comes to reading and books. I keep up with the books I read each year on my personal LibraryThing account, and I always want to beat my previous year's tally.

This usually translates to a great excuse to spend lots of quality time reading during the summer, which is really one of the only times I have to dedicate myself to pleasure reading for an extended period. However, summer is also a time to read books for the new school year, particularly in preparation for the YAL and trade book suggestions I provide for my students. So, without further ado, here are some books I read this summer but that I didn't write about in another round-up.

picture from
Jacqueline Woodson's website

February's Online Professional Development Opportunities

While January can be a bit of a slog (the holidays are over, the weather is usually not so great, and teachers and students are trying to get back in the swing of things), I'm always amazed at how quickly the month can pass by. Now we're one month into the new semester, and things are, at least in theory, starting to settle down, which means it's the perfect time for some professional development.

Looking Ahead to Shakespeare's First Folio Tour

First, I apologize for the lack of updates. November and December once again proved to be my blogging downfall. However, I didn't want to let 2015 end without a new post, particularly since the new year is bringing something huge when it comes to English and English education. To commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 2016, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the American Library Association have partnered to bring copies of Shakespeare's First Folio to 53 sites throughout the year. This includes all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to the First Folio exhibit, the exhibition sites are also going to have related public events and activities.

As a self-professed Shakespeare nerd and a long-time fan of the Folger's approach to Shakespeare, I'm very excited about the potential that the First Folio has for students, teachers, and teacher educators. In addition to seeing the First Folio, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the related events should also offer a great way to get people thinking about Shakespeare. From my conversations with the host site in my state (I've been helping with outreach to my state's other NCTE members), it sounds like these events can include teacher workshops as well as lectures and student-friendly activities and opportunities.

For more information, be certain to visit the Folger page on the First Folio. Besides providing an overview for the First Folio and the tour, the page also has a link to tour dates, locations, and an interactive map.

Are you visiting the First Folio when it comes to a site near you? What do you hope to see or experience when attending the exhibit and/or the related events? Please feel free to share your answers and thoughts in the comments section.

Banned Books Week 2015

Yesterday (September 27) was the first day of Banned Books Week for 2015. As I wrote last year, Banned Books Week is of special interest to me as a former English teacher and current teacher educator. Besides being a fascinating topic (especially when we start exploring just why certain books have been challenged or banned), it is a timely one for my students. As they think about their future classrooms and what they will be teaching, they often express concern about bringing in more modern literature because of the possibility that the books might invite controversy. This is especially true when it comes to young adult literature.

September's Professional Development Opportunities

In August, #nctechat's topic was professional learning networks (PLNs), which is near and dear to my heart. Near the end of the chat, the participants were asked to share their goals regarding PLNs in the next school year. One of my goals is to keep active in my PLN, which is easier said than done. Based on the first week of classes, this looks to be a busy semester! Luckily, there are some great professional development opportunities this month to help keep me engaged with my network and to provide support, ideas, and enthusiasm, even as things get busy.

August's Professional Development Opportunities

I apologize for not posting in July - the month was dedicated to preparing for a trip, going on a trip, and recovering from the trip. That said, August is upon us, and while some people have the month (or most of the month) off, many others are getting ready to start back to school. To help those of us in the latter category get into the right frame of mind, here are some free online PD opportunities:

February's Free Professional Development

Greetings from the snowy Midwest! Even if it isn't cold and icy where you are, February tends to make it seem like you are in a rut (or are living in a version of Groundhog's Day set in a school). Besides taking some time to decompress and get some much needed rest and relaxation, a great way of getting rejuvenated is to take part in some free webinars and education chats. You'll get some good ideas and connect with some great people, and you can do all of this without having to leave the warmth and comfort of your home (this is a huge bonus if your streets are covered in snow, the temperature is below freezing, and the plow has trapped your car in an icy fortress for the fifth time in three days).

National Day on Writing 2014: Are You Ready to Write Your Community?

The National Day on Writing is coming and coming soon (October 20). This day, established by NCTE, is a time to help make people aware of the importance of writing and to celebrate writing. According to the NCTE website, the National Day on Writing:

• points to the importance of writing instruction and practice at every grade level, for every student and in every subject area from preschool through university (see The Genteel Unteaching of America’s Poor), 
• emphasizes the lifelong process of learning to write and composing for different audiences, purposes, and occasions, and 
• encourages Americans to write and enjoy and learn from the writing of others.

Preparing for Banned Books Week 2014

Earlier this week, I saw an article on The Atlantic website with the provocative title, "Who Should Decide What High School Kids Are Allowed to Read?" The article examines the recent controversy surrounding the young adult novel The Miseducation of Cameron Post, which is about a gay teenager who is trying to come to terms with her identity. Although it focuses on the debate on whether or not Cameron Post should be an option for students at Delaware's Cape Henlopen High School (the school board first voted to remove the book from a reading list and then, after the backlash, they reinstated the book but also decided to abolish the list to allow students to choose anything they wanted for summer reading), it also provides an opportunity for readers to think about censorship in general, especially when it comes to students.

September's #nctechat on Comics & Graphic Novels is Sept. 21

In preparation for Banned Books Week (Sept. 21 - 27), this month's #nctechat is on comics and graphic novels in the classroom. Join in the conversation on Sunday, September 21 at 8:00 pm ET.

Helpful hints for participating in #nctechat:

• NCTE puts the chat up on Storify afterwards so you can go back and review what was said (or you can read people's responses if you couldn't make the chat). For instance, you can see July's #nctechat on the teacher as writer.
• For the sake of your sanity (and because there is often a lag on Twitter with the most recent tweets), you might want to use a tool like TweetDeck or TweetChat when participating. I'm partial to TweetChat because I find it more straightforward than TweetDeck (and its many columns). I also love that it automatically adds the hashtag to any tweet I do.
• If you've never participated in #nctechat, don't be shy - it is a fun and welcoming group. You don't have to respond to every (or any) question on conversation that is happening. If you do decide to join in, just be certain to use the hashtag when responding. Also, be certain to denote which question you are answering (for instance, if you are responding to question 1, put A1 at the beginning of your tweet).

Do you have questions, comments, or concerns? Please feel free to leave a comment or send me a tweet.

August's #nctechat on Building Classroom Community is Sunday (August 17)

One of my favorite virtual professional development activities is the monthly #nctechat on Twitter. While it can be a rapid-fire experience, I always walk away from the discussion inspired by lots of great ideas. This month's #nctechat is on building a classroom community. Come join in the fun this Sunday (August 17) at 8:00 pm ET.

Helpful hints:

• NCTE puts the chat up on Storify afterwards so you can go back and review what was said (or you can read people's responses if you couldn't make the chat). For instance, you can see July's #nctechat on the teacher as writer.
• For the sake of your sanity (and because there is often a lag on Twitter with the most recent tweets), you might want to use a tool like TweetDeck or TweetChat when participating. I'm partial to TweetChat because I find it more straightforward than TweetDeck (and its many columns). I also love that it automatically adds the hashtag to any tweet I do.
• If you've never participated in #NCTEChat, don't be shy - it is a fun and welcoming group. Just be certain to use the hashtag when responding. Also, be certain to denote which question you are answering (for instance, if you are responding to question 1, put A1 at the beginning of your tweet).

Do you have questions, comments, or concerns? Please feel free to leave a comment or send me a tweet.

Resource Review: The Literature Teacher’s Book of Lists

When I was getting my doctorate, I worked for a year at the university’s bookstore. While this occasionally was a crazy experience (complete with confused undergraduates, angry and frustrated parents, and the occasional unhinged patron), it was also very rewarding. I worked with some fantastic people, and I got a great discount on books. One of the books I purchased with my employee discount was The Literature Teacher’s Book of Lists (2^nd edition) by Judie L. H. Strouf, and I have never regretted buying it. With over 250 lists on topics ranging from literary allusions to literary periods, it an indispensable resource for English teachers and English teacher educators, and it is a fun and interesting read for those who like trivia (or perhaps aspire to be on Jeopardy! one day).