May 2010

NCTE recently won the Associations Advance America Award for its National Gallery of Writing/National Day on Writing!

The National Gallery of Writing now has more than 23,000 pieces in nearly
2,400 galleries.
Submit your writing today!

Is This Where I Pinch Myself?
NCTE member Sarah Brown Wessling, president of the Iowa Council of Teachers of English, is the 2010 National Teacher of the Year! Read Sarah's post on the White House blog.

(official White House photo by Samantha Appleton)

Why Are You a Member of NCTE?

As a Council leader you know there are many reasons to be an NCTE member -- to be part of a community of learners; to advocate for literacy education; to access the latest research, news, and articles.

You Can Ask Questions about the ESEA Revision
Register now to hear NCTE members' questions about potential changes in the ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) answered by U.S. Department of Education officials. NCTE members are invited to take part in this free online conversation on Tuesday, May 25, at 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time).

You Have a Voice in Washington, DC
NCTE members sent more than 800 letters to their congressional representatives while more than 60 members visited their representatives in Washington, DC, on NCTE's Literacy Education Advocacy Day in April. NCTE recently gave feedback to Congress regarding the ESEA reauthorization: March 26 letter to the House Education and Labor Committee and May 7 letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. 

You Have a Say in NCTE Resolutions
Talk with members of your group and teachers in your department about issues they're facing. Have they ever thought, "I wish NCTE had a statement on _____"? Think with them about what that statement might be and draft a resolution for consideration at the 2010 Annual Convention in Orlando.

You Have Access to Resources and Communities Just for Members
Starting in July, NCTE's INBOX will be emailed to members every week but to nonmembers just once a month. Also this summer members will receive news of NCTE's new Connected Community, a place where members will meet colleagues with similar interests, discuss classroom ideas, explore research, and share professional materials.

Share these reasons to be a member of NCTE with your colleagues and your students who are studying to be educators. Encourage them to renew or join. And send us the reasons you're a member of NCTE!