N​ CETA Notes November, 2019

Fall Conference Review NCETA hosted its Annual Fall Conference, Literacy in the 21st Century, Oct. 11-12 in Charlotte, NC. The ​ ​ conference opened with a screening of Truth Underground, a documentary about three spoken word ​ ​ poets, followed by a panel discussion featuring poet CJ Suitt and filmmaker Gerret Werner. On Saturday, session presenters shared strategies to amplify student voice in the classroom, create a culturally representative pedagogy, and foster creativity and collaboration in our students. Keynote speaker Donovan Livingston shared the importance of disrupting our practices as educators to keep students at the forefront of our classrooms.

Our Outstanding Teachers NCETA recognized Dr. Kerry Martinez, kindergarten teacher at Hunter Elementary School in Raleigh, ​ ​ as its Outstanding Literacy Teacher at its 2019 Conference, honoring her passion, dedication, and insistence that “Literacy happens in all teachable moments throughout the day, providing students ​

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with the perspective that literacy enhances who they are as friends, thinkers, and learners,” in the words of her principal, Briana Pelton.

Former Hunter PTA President Dr. Kelly Morris Roberts, in her nomination of Dr. Martinez, described how “Kerry has a knack for making those little wiggly pails, those vessels for learning that burst into ​ her door each day, just able to hold lots more and do lots more than they could when they entered in September.”

Dr. Roberts further describes Dr. Martinez’s gift for building capacity in her students: In her firm, fair, and friendly way, she expects great things from each one of her students, and to hear her parents talk, she gets it. What would education look like if each child’s first primary school teacher could build the capacity of each child in a way that would set them up to learn more, do more, and be more? What a powerful gift from a woman who has devoted her life to setting children on a path that begins as she wants them to go—and go meaningfully—for a very, very long time.

For more information about Dr. Martinez’s work at Hunter Elementary School, please contact her principal, Briana Pelton, at (919) 856-7676 or [email protected]. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Ryann McKay, English teacher at Terry Sanford High School, was recognized as NCETA’s Outstanding ​ English Teacher at its 2019 Conference, honoring her dedication and skill in “imparting passion for ​ and writing through meaningful, personalized, real-world learning experiences, teaching 21st century skills,” in the words of instructional coach Sara Teal.

The excellence of Ms. McKay’s work is recognized not just by her colleagues at NCETA, but more importantly, by her students. A student in her English I Honors class describes how “Ms. McKay is ​ always helpful. Like tonight...she is setting up an online virtual class for us to log in and ask questions about the project we are working on. It means a lot to know that a teacher will go the extra mile."

Gladys Johnson, AIG Coordinator and Instructional Coach, describes Ms. McKay’s classroom as a place where Ms. McKay transforms the typical English course into and expeditions into characters, authors, settings and more for her students . Her student-centered practices provide students with opportunities and authentic learning experiences that expand their appreciation for literature beyond just a story. I have watched her students become engulfed in critical and meaningful debates, write stories worthy of publication, engage in character autopsies, and so much more. . For more information about Ms. McKay’s work at Terry Sanford High School, please contact her principal, Thomas Hatch, at (910) 484-1151 or [email protected]. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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Student Writing Contest Winners NCETA’s 2018 OET Heather Forbis presented four student writing contest winners during the 2019 Fall Conference lunch. In honor of poet and teacher , Poet Laureate Awards were presented to: 6-8 9-12 Poetry: Ada Farmer for “My Christmas List” Tamia Anderson for “Djeli Letter” Hanes Magnet School Ashbrook High School Submitted by Jennifer Flanagan Submitted by Jesse Birnstihl

The winners of the Amy Charles Writing Competition Award for best prose submissions were presented to: 6-8 Prose: 9-12 Prose: Gretchen Wooten for “Lily” Elizabeth Lourcey for “The Masquerading Swap” Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced South Iredell High School Technologies Submitted by Nancy Watts Submitted by Nicole Lavinder

Spring Symposium Join us on April 4, 2020 at Currituck County High School for the eighth annual Bob Alexander Spring Symposium. Centered on the theme “I Am Human,” this one-day, drive-in conference will feature concurrent sessions and a keynote speaker, followed by a Paideia Seminar led by former NCETA President and Campbell University professor Constance Ramey. Up to 1.0 CEU will be available with a post-symposium assignment. Register today. ​ ​

Leadership Opportunities NCETA functions due in large part to our members who volunteer their time as board members. Board participation is an excellent opportunity to exercise leadership skills, participate in advocacy, and network with other educators. We have several board positions currently open and others that may become open later in the year. Consider nominating yourself or a colleague for one of these positions. Click here to make a nomination. ​

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Ragan-Rubin Award This year’s Ragan-Rubin Award Winner is poet Tyree Daye, author of River Hymns, a collection of ​ ​ poems, and of the forthcoming book Cardinal. The author treated NCETA Fall Conference attendees to ​ ​ a reading of his poetry before leading a writing workshop for our student award winners.

The Ragan-Rubin Award for outstanding writers is named in honor of Sam Ragan and Louis Rubin for their years of commitment to NC writers, artists, and teachers. Nominations may be made by any NCETA member by contacting any member of the Board of Directors.

The first issue of Fringes will be published this November! This issue includes articles with great ideas to support ELA teaching at all grade levels, book recommendations for teachers, poetry, and more surprises. And if you have research and practices to share with other NC educators, consider submitting an article of your own. We welcome a combination of both practice-oriented and research ​ pieces, grounded in the various interests, assets, and contexts experienced by North Carolina teachers. In particular, we want to hear about the practices and research that educators are doing that are unconventional and peripheral, what we call fringe. You'll be able to access our submission form and our fully-online issue on our webpage. ​ ​

Fall Conference 2020

It's not too early to start planning your 2020 professional development by signing up for next year's fall conference, which will take place in Chapel Hill at the Friday Center on November 5 and 6. The conference theme is Global Learning, so start thinking about your presentation proposals now if you're interested in leading a session. Click here to get the discounted early registration price. ​ ​

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Tweet With Us

Follow us on Twitter @TeachEnglishNC and use #ncenglishteachers to participate in our monthly Twitter chats November 14, December 12, January 23, February 27, March 26, April 23 and May 28. ​ Questions will be posted in advance. Here’s what we’ll be chatting about on November 14:

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