NCTE Affiliates Honored
2007 NCTE Convention in New York City
NCTE Affiliate Roundtable Breakfast
"Mapping Affiliate Challenges and New Directions"
New York City, Saturday, November 17, 2007
Presented by the NCTE Standing Committee on Affiliates (SCOA)
Welcome, Introductions, Thanks, and Announcements
Ruth Townsend Story, SCOA Chair
Cathleen Greenwood & Starla Sieveke-Pearson, Breakfast Co-Chairs & SCOA Representatives
“Literacy Demands in the 21st Century”
Kylene Beers, NCTE Vice President
Awards
- NCTE Leadership Development Award, Presented by Pearson Prentice Hall Education
- NCTE/SLATE State, Regional, and Provincial Intellectual Freedom Award
- NCTE Membership Award
- NCTE Affiliate Journal Award
- NCTE Affiliate Newsletter Award
- NCTE Affiliate Website Award
- NCTE Multicultural Program Award
- NCTE Affiliate Excellence Award
- NCTE Fund Teachers for the Dream Affiliate Award
NCTE Leadership Development Award
Presented by Pearson Prentice Hall Education
In an effort to nurture new leaders, NCTE and Pearson Prentice Hall Education awarded 32 teachers with the NCTE Leadership Development Award. The program provides early career teachers with $500 to attend the NCTE Annual Convention. NCTE state, regional, and provincial affiliates nominate early career teachers who have not previously attended the NCTE Annual Convention and, in addition, have met the following criteria: demonstrated capacity for professional leadership and willingness to serve the affiliate during the academic year of the award. As a stipulation of the award, the teacher and affiliate negotiate a term of service which includes duties such as presenting at an affiliate conference, writing an article for an affiliate publication, serving on the affiliate board, assisting a board member, and/or assisting with a workshop for new teachers. Winners also receive a ticket to the Affiliate Roundtable Breakfast where they are recognized.
The following is a list of winners by affiliate:
Arizona English Teachers' Association: Kristina Guy
Colorado Language Arts Society: Shelly Smith
Connecticut Council of Teachers of English: Nicole Bushley
Florida Council of Teachers of English: Kelly Metzler
Pinellas Council of Teachers of English (FL): Stephanie Pawlowicz
Hawaii Council of Teachers of English: Mariko Jackson
Illinois Association of Teachers of English: Nakisha Usher-Brooks
Indiana Council of Teachers of English: Casandra Robbins
Iowa Council of Teachers of English: Daniel Sovers
Kansas Association of Teachers of English: Bryan Anderson
Kentucky Council of Teachers of English/L.A.: Jennifer Klare
Manitoba Association of Teachers of English: Christine Harasymec
Michigan Council of Teachers of English: Amy Veatch
Minnesota Council of Teachers of English: Jodi Anderson
Mississippi Council of Teachers of English: Elizabeth Ramsey Wise
Southeast Missouri English Teachers Association: Kim Chronister
Nebraska English Language Arts Council: Emily Neve
New England Association of Teachers of English: Jean N. Laney
New Mexico Council of Teachers of English: Marisa A. Hernandez
New York State English Council: Sarah Krajewski
North Carolina English Teachers Association: Bonita Robinson
North Dakota Council of Teachers of English: Heather Woods
Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts: Jessica Boggs
Oregon Council of Teachers of English: Janna E. Reid
Penn. Council of Teachers of Eng. & L.A.: Mary Rebecca (Becky) Leonard
Western Penn. Council of Teachers of English: Brian J. Duermeyer
South Carolina Council of Teachers of English: Virginia Taylor
South Dakota Council of Teachers of English: Kara Neugebauer
Tennessee Council of Teachers of English: Spencer M. Reese
Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts: Katie Higgins
San Antonio Area Council of Teachers of English: Rebecca Stortz
Utah Council of Teachers of English Language Arts: Heather Hansen
NCTE/SLATE State, Regional, and Provincial
Intellectual Freedom Award
Established in 1975, SLATE (Support for the Learning and Teaching of English) seeks to influence public attitudes and policy decisions affecting the teaching of English language arts at local, state, and national levels, and serves as NCTE’s intellectual freedom network. SLATE makes no policy of its own, but seeks to implement and publicize the policies adopted by NCTE. All NCTE members are members of SLATE.
The NCTE/SLATE Intellectual Freedom Awards have been in existence since 1997. The awards recognize those individuals, groups, or institutions that have advanced the cause of intellectual freedom. These awards are given in two categories: (1) a national Intellectual Freedom Award and (2) state, regional, and provincial affiliate awards. Following are those recognized as 2007 NCTE/SLATE State, Regional, and Provincial Intellectual Freedom Award Winners.
The California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) recognizes Dave Eggers as its 2007 NCTE/SLATE Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Award winner. Through 826 Valencia in San Francisco Dave Eggers promotes writing workshops for kids. The workshops cover a variety of areas that schools cannot typically include in their curriculum, helping students whose voices are traditionally silent be heard, become articulate, and change the world for the better.
The Illinois Association of Teachers of English (IATE) recognizes Susan Carley as its 2007 NCTE/SLATE Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Award winner. Susan Carley has played a key role in retaining challenged books in her district’s curriculum. During the past year, one of District 214's school board members asked for nine books to be removed from the curriculum. Other board members, administrators, teachers, and students joined together to retain the books. Additionally, in the latest school board race, over $60,000 was raised to keep the incumbent school board that denied the request to remove the books.
The Indiana Council of Teachers of English (ICTE) recognizes the Human Rights Steering Committee at Indiana State University as its 2007 NCTE/SLATE Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Award winner. The steering committee has produced and promoted Human Rights Day at Indiana State University which has grown since 2002 from a community program to an international event attracting over 2500 attendees. Dedicated to human rights at many levels, the event focuses on themes such as poverty, minority rights, and freedom of expression. The steering committee comprises community and campus members, some of whom are affiliated with sponsors such as Amnesty International, NAACP, the Social Justice Endowment, the Eugene Debs Foundation, and the Central Labor Council. Activities have included speakers on social justice, theatrical performances (such as "The Exonerated"), the funding and building of a Habitat for Humanity house, and a student art exhibit. Attendees range from middle school students to octogenarians.
The Kentucky Council of Teachers of English / Language Arts (KCTE/LA) recognizes Kelli Dean as its 2007 NCTE/SLATE Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Award winner. Kelli Dean serves as program coordinator for the Lexington Public Library and is the director of several major programs promoting literacy and self-expression. In addition, she has spearheaded the library's participation in the American Library Association's Banned Books Week and has been one of the leading supporters of controversial Chris Crutcher's works.
The Nebraska English Language Arts Council (NELAC) recognizes Michael Baker as its 2007 NCTE/SLATE Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Award winner. Michael Baker, a history teacher, decided to teach history lessons in reverse and was told by the school administration that he could not use this unique approach. The affiliate honors Michael Baker for his professionalism during numerous meetings and much publicity dealing with the question of academic freedom.
The Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (OCTELA) recognizes Tammy Metcalf as its 2007 NCTE/SLATE Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Award winner. Tammy Metcalf came under fire while teaching Nadine Gordimer's July's People. The book has been called pornographic by community parents, but Tammy Metcalf has followed all district challenge policies and, because no rationale exists for this text, has written one herself. The case is ongoing at this time and she has sought help from OCTELA and NCTE.
The Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA) recognizes Kimberly Horne as its 2007 NCTE/SLATE Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Award winner. Kimberly Horne created a Senior English curriculum which included Annie Proulx’s novel Brokeback Mountain and successfully defended a challenge to the novel from parents who threatened to pull a $3 million pledge to the school if the book was not removed from the curriculum. In the words of her nominator, “Kimberly Horne is deserving of the Intellectual Freedom Award because she has resolve. She understands the power of words and is not afraid to ask tough questions and discuss important topics.” Kimberly Horne will also receive the 2007 NCTE/SLATE National Intellectual Freedom Award.
Affiliates Receive Membership Recruitment Awards
NCTE applauds affiliates that have increased their memberships and recruited members for NCTE. Each year, all state, provincial, regional, national, and local affiliates are asked to submit their membership lists (in alphabetical order including names and addresses) to NCTE by April 1. By submitting their membership lists, affiliates fulfill one of the requirements of affiliation with the Council. These affiliate membership lists are used to determine the winners of the affiliate awards for membership growth. Lists must be submitted two years in a row (the previous year and the current year) to be eligible for the award. Membership lists are also used to determine the number of NCTE Directors to which each affiliate is entitled and, after they’ve been added to the NCTE database, to provide affiliates with the service of obtaining lists or labels of affiliate-only members, NCTE-only members, and joint affiliate/NCTE members in a given area.
Affiliate Awards for Membership Growth
Arizona English Teachers’ Association
Association of College English Teachers of Alabama
British Columbia Council of Teachers of English
Florida Council of Teachers of English
Kansas Association of Teachers of English
New Hampshire Council of Teachers of English
New York State English Council
Oklahoma Council of Teachers of English
Pinellas Council of Teachers of English (FL)
San Antonio Area Council of Teachers of English
Washington State Council of Teachers of English
Western Reserve of Ohio Teachers of English
West Houston Area Council of Teachers of English
Wyoming Association of Teachers of English
NCTE thanks the following affiliates for recruiting NCTE members and submitting the completed NCTE membership applications to the Affiliate Office.
Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts
Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts
Affiliate Journals Honored
Through their journals, affiliates provide their members with scholarly articles on issues and topics related to the teaching of the English language arts. The Affiliate Journal Award, established in 1995, is designed to recognize those journals which are outstanding. To apply for the award, affiliates submitted a single issue of a magazine-type production focusing on instruction of the English language arts and related topics and published between May 2006 and the contest deadline of May 1, 2007. Fourteen entries were received in 2007. Alan Perry, Region 3 Representative to the Standing Committee on Affiliates, chaired the review committee for this award.
English in Texas, edited by Carol Wickstrom of Denton, Leslie Patterson of Denton, and Sharon O’Neal of West Lake Hills, and published by the Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts, won first-place honors.
Honorable mentions will be given to California English, edited by Carol Jago of Pacific Palisades, and published by the California Association of Teachers of English; and to the Ohio Journal of English Language Arts, edited by Margaret Ford of Campbell, Cindy Bowman of Powell, Colleen Ruggieri of Canfield, and Susan Stevens of Boardman, and published by the Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts.
A committee of independent judges evaluated the entries and were impressed with their variety and overall high quality in terms of content, organization, layout, and physical appearance. The submissions were rated for variety of content, effective writing, evidence of research and scholarly exploration, professional graphics, and appeal to different teaching levels within the affiliate.
Affiliate Newsletters Honored
Newsletters are a vital link for affiliates. The Affiliate Newsletter Award, established in 1992, is designed to recognize those newsletters which are outstanding. Entries for the award were newsletters published at least three regularly scheduled times during the year from May 2006 through the program deadline of May 1, 2007. Nancy Kampfe, Region 4 Representative to the Standing Committee on Affiliates, chaired the review committee for this award.
The winner of the NCTE Affiliate Newsletter Award is Visions & Revisions, edited by Kathy Dooley-Smith of Brentwood, Tennessee, and published by the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English.
Honorable mention went to MCTE News, edited by Jodi Anderson of Fred Moore Middle School in Anoka, Minnesota, and published by the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English.
The entries were judged by a committee of independent judges. The judges were impressed with the overall quality and variety of the newsletter submissions which were rated for pertinent content, consistency and timelines, effective writing, a clear and accurately defined purpose for the publication, a format which aids the reader in locating information and is easy to read, and professional graphics.
Affiliate Websites Honored
Established in 2000, the Affiliate Website Award is designed to recognize those websites which are outstanding for their high quality content, easy navigation, size, and speed. Paralee Norman, Region 6 Representative to the Standing Committee of Affiliates, chaired the review committee for this award.
The winner of the NCTE Affiliate Website Award is the Virginia Association of Teachers of English (http://www.vate.org), edited by Linda MacCleave of Midlothian.
Honorable mention went to the Florida Council of Teachers of English (http://www.fcte.org), edited by Shirley Rutter of Spring Hill.
Affiliates Sponsor Award-Winning Multicultural Programs
Established in 1993, the Affiliate Multicultural Program Award honors affiliates which have adopted programs, policies, activities, and other events which encourage greater participation in and development of multicultural involvement within their affiliates. Affiliates are encouraged to design programs to meet their own needs, populations, and unique qualities, including the following:
- launching a membership drive for underrepresented groups;
- adding multicultural topics of interest;
- increasing visibility of culturally diverse members as conference presenters, speakers, officers, etc.;
- planning special multicultural events that relate to English language arts;
- promoting multiculturalism through activities, such as African American Read-Ins, reading groups focusing on ethnic literature, etc.;
- and whatever creative ideas affiliates may develop.
Sarah Henry, Region 5 Representative to the NCTE Standing Committee on Affiliates, who chaired the review committee for the 2007 award, said in her letters to the winners, the Georgia Council of Teachers of English and the Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts:
The Georgia Council of Teachers of English “consistently shows its commitment to the development of multiculturalism . . . . The committee was very impressed with GCTE's proof of its success in recruiting another African American to serve as co-director responsible for diversity in the Council. We were also impressed with your annual conference, a major showcase of the diversity of the Council, which consistently reflected multiculturalism in conference participation, presenters, exhibitors, and special awards.”
“The committee was pleased with the Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts’s recruitment efforts of:
- Giving free conference registrations to persons of color in the Cleveland area;
- How well you have used your two co-membership chairpersons who have reached each of the 88 counties in Ohio; and
- Providing membership information to teachers of color in your large urban districts of Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.”
Five Affiliates Receive Highest Honor
The NCTE Standing Committee on Affiliates is proud to present the 2007 NCTE Affiliate Excellence Awards. This award, established in 1996, recognizes NCTE affiliates that meet high standards of performance for affiliate programming to promote improvement in the teaching of the English language arts. Ruth Townsend Story, Chair of the Standing Committee on Affiliates, chaired the review committee. Winners are as follows:
Qualifications for the award represent standards of excellence to which all NCTE affiliates should aspire. Award winners fulfilled at least eight different criteria for excellent affiliate programming during the school year of application. The required criteria include increasing membership in the affiliate or NCTE; publishing an affiliate communications instrument at least twice a year; conducting at least one professional development program for members; and completing the annual affiliate report for NCTE by the deadline. The next four required criteria are chosen from eleven: implementing and maintaining a cultural diversity plan; publishing another communications instrument; developing a program to encourage new teachers into the profession; participating in an NCTE Affiliate Leadership Meeting; participating in at least three affiliate-sponsored activities at the NCTE Convention; nominating at least one member of the affiliate for NCTE office; participating in policy-making activities; participating in curriculum development; applying to at least one awards program sponsored by the NCTE Standing Committee on Affiliates or the NCTE/SLATE Steering Committee; holding a program to directly involve community members in English language arts activities; and creating an affiliate strategic plan.
NCTE Fund Gives Teacher for the Dream Awards
Since 1993, the NCTE Fund has awarded grants to affiliates to implement initiatives aimed at recruiting English language arts teachers of color. The 2007 awards committee, chaired by NCTE Past President Kyoko Sato, chose this year’s award winners for their targeted recruitment strategies to meet the growing shortage of teachers of color in elementary, middle, and secondary American schools and in NCTE affiliates.
The Michigan Council of Teachers of English (MCTE) has been awarded $750 for its MCTE Fund Teachers for the Dream Program. The “MCTE Teachers for the Dream” program is currently in its seventh year. The program recruits and involves teachers of color in the profession through collegial networks, conference involvement, and email contacts. Each recruit receives a mentor and their membership in the Michigan Council of Teachers of English and registration fees for the MCTE conference are paid. Over the years, participants in this program have published 13 articles, given 56 presentations (sometimes co-presentations), and had four additional conference proposals accepted although proposers were unable to present. Three program alumni have mentored five new participants.
The Georgia Council of Teachers of English (GCTE) has been awarded $735 for its GCTE Fund Teachers for the Dream Program. GCTE will recruit English language arts teachers of color who are in pursuit of their professional involvement and those interested in membership in the affiliate. In order to increase both the membership in the organization and the involvement at conferences of teachers of color, the Georgia Council of Teachers of English will offer current and new teachers of color free first-year membership. They’ve set a goal at 50 new members of color who will then have the opportunity to apply for one of four conference fee waivers to the GCTE annual spring conference.
The Greater St. Louis English Teachers’ Association (GSLETA) has been awarded $250 for its GSLETA Fund Teachers for the Dream Program. GSLETA will recruit English language arts teachers of color who are in pursuit of their professional involvement and those interested in membership in the affiliate. To acquaint local teachers with multicultural literature that they can in turn use in their classrooms, GSLETA will use the grant funds to purchase books by African American and Latino authors. These books will serve as a library for teachers and also as the basis for teacher book discussion seminars.
THANK YOU
Presented by the NCTE Standing Committee on Affiliates (SCOA)
2006–2007: Ruth Townsend Story, Chair; Cathleen Greenwood, Region 1; Bob Dandoy, Region 2; Alan Perry, Region 3; Nancy Kampfe, Region 4; Sarah Henry, Region 5; Paralee Norman, Region 6; Ulrich Hardt, Region 7; and Starla Sieveke-Pearson, Region 8
2007–2008: Ruth Townsend Story, Chair; Patricia Schall, Region 1; Bob Dandoy, Region 2; Alan Perry, Region 3; Claire Lamonica, Region 4; Connie Nagel, Region 5; Shirley Wright, Region 6; Ulrich Hardt, Region 7; and Starla Sieveke-Pearson, Region 8
Table Leaders, thank you for your help with the program!
Danielle Brain, Thomas R. Proctor High School, Utica, NY
Kathleen Cecil, Mission High School, San Francisco, CA
Debbie Davis, Heritage School, Riverdale, UT
Deanie Dunbar, Mattamusket High School, Pantego, NC
Gloria Eastman, University of Colorado at Boulder
Colleen Ferguson, Little Rock School District, AR
Donna Grace, University of Hawaii, Manoa
Susan Houser, Thurgood Marshall Middle School, St. Petersburg, FL
Liz McAninch, Mercy High School, San Francisco, CA
Kathleen McKenzie, Cass High School, Cartersville, GA
Paralee Norman, Northwestern State University, Leesville, LA
Alan Perry, Chattooga High School, Summerville, GA
Nikilia Reid, Hamden Hall County Day School, Hamden, CT
Lucille Van Alstine, Ritenour High School, St. Louis, MO
Barbara Wahlberg, Cranston High School East, Cranston, RI
Clarissa West-White, Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens
Many Thanks to the Affiliate Breakfast Committee:
Linda Sperl, Rocky Point High School, New York (Chair)
Lisa Granieri, Tooker Avenue Elementary School, New York
Erica Pecorale, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
Joann Scott, South Bay Elementary School, New York
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