The 23rd WLU Summer Institute is intended to focus on the extremely political act of reclaiming classrooms and other settings for learning as places of joyful engagement, and complex relationships. Join us in reclaiming our joys and celebrating them in the wonderfully supportive forum that gathers each year under the whole language umbrella.
Isoke Titilayo Nia
Isoke Titilayo Nia taught many years in New York City’s independent and public schools before becoming the Director of Research and Development for the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Currently she is the founding director of All Write Literacy Consultants in Brooklyn, New York. Isoke is known for her dynamic keynote speeches and engaging workshops. She presents on poetry, reading and the African American child, and literature in the writing workshop.
Join Isoke on Thursday evening, July 19 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
R. Joseph Rodriguez
R. Joseph Rodriguez is a research associate in the Center for Teaching and Learning and works on projects directly associated with student learning, assessment, and achievement at The University of Texas at Austin. He teaches courses in American literature and language acquisition. He is serving on the English language arts–reading content coordinating team for the 2012 Series GED Tests, American Council of Education.
Joseph earned a Ph.D. (2001) from the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, a master’s degree (1999) in English from The University of Texas at Austin, and a bachelor’s degree (1997) in modern languages and literatures from Kenyon College. He has taught English and Spanish language arts at various levels in public schools and at the university level. He has worked in educational assessment and program evaluation since 2001. He previously served as director of assessment and accreditation services in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Houston.
Joseph is the recipient of NCTE Research Foundation’s Cultivating New Voices Fellowship (2002-2004). He has published articles in the English Journal (2011), English Leadership Quarterly (2008), College Culture, Student Success: A Longman Topics Reader (2008), and Guide to College Reading (2003). In 2005, Joseph joined the NCTE Conference on English Leadership (CEL) and served on the CEL 2009 Program Committee. He is currently serving a term as CEL member-at-large.
Join Joseph on Friday morning, July 20 from 8:30-9:45 a.m.
Nikki Grimes
Nikki Grimes does not consider herself a bona fide storyteller, but, as she told an audience at the Library of Congress, she is happy to own the title Poet. Born and raised in New York City, Nikki began composing verse at the age of six and has been writing ever since.
A New York Times bestselling author, Nikki is the recipient of the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Her distinguished works include ALA Notable book What is Goodbye?, Coretta Scott King Award winner Bronx Masquerade, the novels Jazmin's Notebook, Dark Sons, and The Road to Paris (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books). Creator of the popular Meet Danitra Brown, Nikki lives in Corona, California.
Visit Nikki's website at http://www.nikkigrimes.com/.
Join Nikki on Saturday morning, July 21 from 8:30-9:45 a.m.