Portrait of a Volunteer

Donna Sabis-Burns

Donna Sabis-Burns works in the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. In the following interview, she explains that volunteering with NCTE has given her access to a wealth of professional development resources and opportunities that benefit not only her, but also an extended community of educators, students, and her own children.

What is your volunteer involvement with NCTE?

I am currently a board member on NCTE’s Children’s Literature Assembly (CLA). Last year, I also served as co-chairperson for a daylong workshop, “Social Justice in Children’s Literature.” I have offered presentations in the area of multicultural issues in children’s literature several times over the past few years as a graduate student representing the University of Florida. In addition, I’ve attended the Council’s Public Policy meeting in Washington, D.C., and I’ve contributed to Language Arts “Reading Corner for Educators” by reviewing a book. 

What keeps you motivated to volunteer? 

I want to see children succeed. The more involved I get as a parent, teacher, student, and employee in issues of language and literacy from NCTE events, the better equipped I am to disseminate information to those around me. As a volunteer, I want to learn the latest issues, strategies, research, and innovative ideas that engulf the educational field. Knowledge is power is what they say. I want to meet other people, who like me, want to share the collective knowledge to help close the gap on academic achievement among our students, especially in the field of literacy.

Can you describe a current volunteer role you have with the Council; what does it entail?

I am a member of the Children’s Literature Assembly. We help promote quality literature written for children, recognize outstanding trade books as the Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts, and sponsor workshops with outstanding authors and illustrators at NCTE conferences. We meet twice a year to discuss providing these services to others within the field of education, spending many hours planning and preparing for the various events we share at NCTE functions. I am entering my second year of service as the co-chair for CLA’s daylong workshop.

What satisfactions do you derive from volunteering?

I feel motivated when I am part of a bigger picture—whether it is volunteering my time at a workshop, or giving a presentation. I am a part, an important piece to the puzzle.  Without that piece, the picture may not look as finished as it could look. When all is said and done, I can say I made a difference, somehow, somewhere, to help a child succeed.

How has your affiliation with NCTE and volunteering improved your professional development and your career?

Not only have I been introduced to some of the world’s greatest educators, authors, and illustrators at NCTE events, I have been able to share the knowledge I’ve gained with my coworkers, my undergraduate students, my fellow doctoral students, and most importantly, my children. I work in the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. I work with people within Native institutes and tribal entities across the country who serve the nation’s largest school districts that teach Native students in preschool through post-secondary schools. These educators are the front-runners teaching our future generation. The more knowledge I bring home, the more knowledge I can share and pass along to them to pass along to their students. Students can produce better outcomes when educators have more teaching tools. However, I must say that although professional development and career advancements are important, the most influential gain I have acquired by being part of the NCTE vision is to be a better parent to my three children. I bring home good books; we all know the importance of good books in the household.

Why would you recommend volunteering to another NCTE member?

As a volunteer, I remember the first time I met Donald Graves. I felt like I had just shaken hands with the Tom Cruise of the literacy arena. He made what I have always read about come alive. He brought theory to reality for me. He personalized my learning and made it meaningful and unforgettable.