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CCIRA February Newsletter 2026
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2026 Conference on Literacy
Hit Refresh
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You still have time to register for the
2026 conference!
Educators give so much of themselves. This year’s conference is your chance to "Hit Refresh", recharge, and reignite your passion for teaching.
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Experience three days of in-depth collaboration with fellow educators from across the country in a rich literacy setting.
- Deepen your skills in reading instruction, writing instruction, student engagement, and leadership while learning alongside leading authorities in ECE-12 education.
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Our keynote speakers represent a wide range of voices in education today. For the upcoming 2026 conference, we have Katie Kelly, Jennifer Vincent, Gravity Goldberg, Colby Sharp, and John Schu.
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Our luncheon speakers are incredibly knowledgeable. We are welcoming Cara Mentzel and Ashlee Saddler for the 2026 conference.
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Other invited speakers include Carl Anderson, Cris Tovani, Louise Borden, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, Sarah Zerwin, Aimee Buckner Haisten, and Rajani LaRocca.
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Because your time is valuable, CCIRA offers a variety of choices for attending which include:
- Full conference (Thursday-Saturday)
- Friday & Saturday
- Saturday only (Saturday includes breakfast)
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Groups of educators can register using a single invoice when their school and/or district is paying the conference fees. (Contact Lisa at lisakahnccira@gmail.com for information.)
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Katie Kelly
As a professor, author, and former teacher, Katie brings a wealth of expertise in helping students become critically curious and compassionate readers and writers. Her keynote, Reenergizing Our Purpose through the Power of Literacy, will inspire you to harness reading as a tool for empathy, equity, and action, while her session on Refreshing Read Alouds offers practical strategies to build language comprehension and deepen students’ understanding. Gain valuable insights from the author of From Empathy to Action and Critical Comprehension as she shares engaging, research-based practices to transform your classroom.
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Jen Vincent
Jen is a passionate writer, educator, and National Board Certified Teacher with experience in special education, multilingual learning, and middle school literacy. In her keynote, Living the Life of a Writer in Our Classrooms: Re-Visioning Writing Instruction, she invites educators to move beyond skills and standards to reclaim writing as deeply human work. Earlier that day, Jen will also lead Living the Life of a Writer: The 6 Practices that Center Student Writers, a session focused on student-centered, inquiry-based strategies that build confidence, curiosity, and authentic writing. Jen is the founder of Story Exploratory and the author of Living the Life of a Writer: 6 Practices Student Writers Have, Know, and Do. Learn more at storyexploratory.com and @storyexploratory on Instagram.
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Carl Anderson
Learn from one of the world’s leading experts on writing instruction! Carl Anderson—internationally recognized author, consultant, and former classroom teacher—has spent three decades helping educators inspire young writers. At the 2026 CCIRA Conference, Carl will lead two powerful sessions: “The Secret to Teaching Students to Write Well? Teach with Mentor Texts!” and “Five Strategies for Increasing Student Engagement in Writing.” Don’t miss this chance to gain practical, classroom-tested insights from the author of How’s It Going?, A Teacher’s Guide to Mentor Texts, and Teaching Fantasy Writing: Lessons That Inspire Student Engagement and Creativity. Your writing instruction—and your students—will thank you!
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Sarah Zerwin
We’re thrilled to welcome back Sarah Zerwin to the CCIRA Conference! A veteran high school language arts teacher and educator with decades of experience across Colorado, Illinois, and Washington, Sarah brings insight, passion, and practical strategies to every session. In 2026, she will lead two must-attend sessions: Help Readers Envision Themselves as Meaning Makers and Use AI to Co-Construct the Literacy Classroom with Students. Always a favorite among attendees, Sarah’s sessions are full of actionable ideas to energize your teaching. Learn more about her work at SarahMZerwin.com.
| | Due to unforeseen circumstances, Penny Kittle is unable to join us, but we thank her for her generous support of CCIRA. Thank you to Katie Kelly and Jen Vincent for being flexible as we adjust the program. | | |
Gravity Goldberg
Experience an energizing keynote and sessions with Gravity Goldberg, educator of 25 years and author of The Body-Brain Connection. Gravity brings powerful insights into how our bodies and minds work together to support learning. Her keynote, How the Body-Brain Connection Can Help Us Refresh Our Teaching, will help you see teaching in a whole new way, while her sessions explore how intentional movement and simple shifts can increase student engagement, boost comprehension, and create more joyful learning experiences. You’ll leave inspired and equipped with practical strategies to bring energy, connection, and curiosity to your classroom.
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Amiee Buckner Haisten
Many educators know Aimee Buckner Haisten through her influential books Notebook Know-How and Notebook Connections. We are excited to welcome Aimee to the 2026 CCIRA Conference, where she will share her latest work, Sentence Digs: Teaching the Reading and Writing Connection with Syntax and Semantics. This session will explore how sentence structure and meaning can deepen students’ reading comprehension and strengthen their writing. Aimee will offer practical, classroom-ready strategies that integrate syntax and semantics into literacy instruction, helping students develop stronger language processing, critical thinking, and expression. Join us for engaging activities and powerful insights that make sentence-level understanding a transformative tool in the reading and writing classroom.
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Rajani LaRocca
Step into the world of storytelling with Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor–winning author and practicing physician whose work beautifully blends art, empathy, and intellect. Drawing inspiration from her Indian roots, scientific background, and love of language, Rajani invites educators to explore the transformative role of stories in shaping understanding and compassion. In her sessions—Poetry as Narrative and Using Picture Books to Build Empathy—you’ll discover how verse novels can captivate readers and how picture books can open hearts and minds. Come ready to gather fresh ideas, creative prompts, and renewed inspiration to help students see the world—and themselves—through the power of story.
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Cris Tovani
Join us at the CCIRA Conference for two dynamic sessions with renowned educator and author Cris Tovani, focused on deepening student engagement through intentional planning and meaningful talk. In Planning and Prepping Aren’t the Same, Cris will help educators rethink long-term planning so students experience reading, writing, and discussion as connected learning rather than isolated daily tasks, exploring how to create a genuine need to know, why readable texts matter, and how planning differs from day-to-day prep. In her second session, Talk as a Tool to Grow Thinking, Cris will highlight conversation as a powerful learning tool, sharing research, student work, and practical systems that make student-led discussions productive, manageable, and rich with thinking.
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Colby Sharp
Join Colby Sharp, fifth-grade teacher, co-founder of Nerdy Book Club, and author of A Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library, for an engaging session at the CCIRA Conference. In What My Students Taught Me About Falling in Love with Reading, Colby will share heartwarming and inspiring stories of students discovering the joy of reading through book talks, classroom libraries, and vibrant reading communities. His session is packed with practical strategies and insights to help cultivate a love of reading in every classroom. Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the most passionate literacy advocates—and catch him introducing John Schu on Saturday morning!
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Louise Borden
Join award-winning author Louise Borden at the CCIRA Conference for an inspiring look into the heart of storytelling and the power of books to connect young readers across the world. With 32 books to her name—including The Journey That Saved Curious George and her upcoming release Thank You, School—Louise brings rich experiences from classrooms, libraries, and museums across the globe. In her session, One Writer’s Energy, Connections, and Vision, she’ll share her creative process, classroom applications, and interactive activities that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection in students. Come discover how stories can spark imagination and bring history, hope, and learning to life!
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Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Celebrate the joy and craft of writing with Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, beloved poet, educator, and author of Forest Has a Song, Write! Write! Write!, Poems Are Teachers, and The Sound of Kindness. With over 25 years of experience inspiring young writers, Amy brings warmth, creativity, and deep insight into the classroom writing experience. In Poems Are Teachers, she’ll show how poetry helps students discover the beauty of language and carry those lessons into all forms of writing. In Rehearse! Risk! Romp!: Notebooks Still Matter, Amy invites educators to rediscover the magic of notebooks as spaces for curiosity, voice, and authentic expression—even in the age of AI. Expect to leave refreshed, grounded, and ready to help your students fall in love with writing all over again.
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John Schu
Join us for an inspiring Saturday session with John Schu, children’s librarian, former classroom teacher, and New York Times best-selling author of Louder Than Hunger, This Is a School, This Is a Story, Ruthie Rose’s Big Idea, and The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life. Introduced by fellow educator and speaker Colby Sharp, John will lead The Gift of Story, a session exploring the powerful ways stories touch our hearts, connect us to others, and inspire empathy, healing, and understanding. Through five affective elements of story—healer, inspiration, clarifier, compassion, and connector—you’ll discover how sharing and engaging with stories can transform the reading experience for both students and educators. Walk away with a renewed appreciation for the emotional and transformative power of literacy.
| | Be sure to purchase your luncheon tickets when you register! | | |
Cara Mentzel
Join us for a lively luncheon with Cara Mentzel, author of the memoir Voice Lessons: A Sisters Story and co-author, with her sister Idina Menzel, of the delightful picture books Loud Mouse and Proud Mouse. Drawing on her 15+ years as a literacy specialist and classroom teacher, Cara brings humor, heart, and real-world insight to her session, The Complete Idiom’s Guide to Being a Literacy Educator in 2026. Through engaging stories and clever use of idioms, she’ll help you reflect on what matters most in teaching and how to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. You’ll leave this luncheon inspired, reenergized, and ready to bring fresh creativity into your classroom!
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Ashlee Saddler
As a national leader in education and professional learning, Ashlee draws on 18 years of experience as a principal, district leader, and mental health professional to help educators reconnect with their passion and purpose. In her luncheon, Power Up: Reignite Passion, Purpose, and Possibility, she will guide you through energizing exercises, actionable strategies, and powerful insights to awaken your drive, realign with your purpose, and unlock new possibilities for yourself and those you lead. Leave ready to hit refresh, reignite your vision, and make a meaningful impact in your classroom, school, and community.
| | Bid in our Silent Auction! | | |
The CCIRA Annual Silent Auction is Going Live!
Bidding opens at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 1.
As a volunteer-run nonprofit, CCIRA is deeply grateful for the generosity of our community and donors. Proceeds from the auction directly support scholarships and advance the mission of CCIRA.
Explore the incredible items up for bid and participate knowing your winning bids make a meaningful impact. If you’re not attending the conference this year, we’re happy to send most items via email or USPS. (Some items—such as books or baskets—cannot be mailed, but Front Range pickup can be arranged.)
Bid, support, and help us continue empowering educators!
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The Double Tree Hilton
3203 Quebec St., Denver
Our newly renovated site offers an ideal conference layout with ample parking, on-site dining, and lower room and luncheon costs than in years past.
| | Become a CCIRA Ambassador | | |
CCIRA Ambassadors are passionate, lifelong learners who bring our mission and vision to life. We’re looking for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators who are eager to connect, inspire, and support literacy education.
By volunteering just six hours of your time, you’ll receive free registration to the 2026 conference as a thank-you for your service. Join us in advancing literacy through research-based instructional practices and helping ensure every learner has access to the power of reading and writing.
Visit CCIRA.org to sign up today and make a difference in literacy education!
| | Colorado Children's Book Nominees Are Out! | | |
2026 Nominees
Here are the nominees for the 2026 Picture Book and Junior Book categories! Be sure to have these books available in your school so your students can read, enjoy, and cast their votes for the 2026 winners!
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Click the button to find a PDF of the 2026 nominees
and information on how to have students vote.
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CCIRA Professional Development Blog
All Things Literacy
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The CCIRA blog features a wide variety of nationally renowned literacy experts, as well as talented practitioners from across Colorado. Check out the posts on https://ccira.blog/
📢New Blog Alert!!📢
We are excited to have these amazing authors and educators presenting at the 2026 CCIRA Conference!
Additional posts by previous and upcoming speakers include:
Please also take time to read this poignant tribute to an amazing educator and fierce advocate for teachers: In Honor of Karen Hartman
If you are interested in submitting a guest post to the CCIRA blog, please contact Hollyanna Bates. hollyannabates@gmail.com
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Did you know that CCIRA does more than just host an excellent conference? We provide funding for literacy initiatives around the state!
Local Activity Grant - Due April 1
Do you have a great idea for an activity involving reading or writing instruction, or promoting literacy in schools? If so, you can fill out the application for the Local Activity Grant (formerly the Council Development Grant). This grant is awarded three times a year. Due dates for applications are August 1, February 1, and April 1. Click the button below to go to the grants page of the CCIRA website. Contact Jessica Endres with any questions you may have.
| | | | Put it in your calendar now! CCIRA's next Board of Directors Meeting will be held at the 2026 CCIRA Conference on Thursday night at 6:00p.m. Please plan on being there if you serve on your local council or as an ambassador. Dinner will be included, and Cris Tovani will be our guest speaker!! There will be an RSVP form sent out as we get closer to the conference. Please reach out to Michele Warner if you'd like to join us. | | |
Make a Difference in Literacy Education - Volunteer With CCIRA!
CCIRA is always looking for passionate volunteers to help support literacy education in meaningful ways! There are many opportunities to get involved, including:
📌 Executive Committee & Board of Directors – Help shape the future of CCIRA through leadership roles.
📌 Annual Conference – Assist in running one of the most impactful literacy conferences in the country.
📌 Local Councils – Engage with your community to promote literacy initiatives.
📌 Ambassador Program – From outreach to event coordination, there’s a place for everyone!
Volunteering with CCIRA is a fantastic way to connect with fellow educators, develop leadership skills, and contribute to a cause that transforms lives through literacy.
Interested? Contact CCIRA President, Michele Warner, today!
| | CCIRA is looking for a treasurer! | | We are looking for someone to fill the role of treasurer within our organization. The ideal candidate will be team-oriented and comfortable working with budgets and QuickBooks. Assistance is provided to our treasurer by a highly qualified bookkeeper when needed. Please contact CCIRA President, Michele Warner, for more information. | | |
CCIRA is a non-profit organization that works to empower literacy educators. As a non-profit organization, we appreciate support in a variety of ways:
- Donate
- Support a Conference Scholarship Opportunity
- Leverage fundraising programs to earn CCIRA money
- Volunteer with CCIRA
| | | | As an organization, we are always looking for partnerships. We have a connected community and love new opportunities to provide educators with more professional learning opportunities! Please reach out to CCIRA's Partnership Chair, Katie Rupp, for more information on how we can work together for educators! | | |
CCIRA Partners in Empowering Literacy Educators
TOP REASONS TO PARTNER WITH CCIRA
- Over 600 conference attendees will learn about your partnership with CCIRA.
- Our educator community will see your support on our webpage.
- Visitors to the CCIRA website will learn about your organization and its events.
- Our combined support of literacy will impact students across our state and neighboring states.
| | CCIRA is here to empower literacy educators! | | CCIRA collaboratively encourages, supports, and advances literacy through research-based instructional practices to increase literacy access to all. | | All people will be empowered to critically engage in our changing world by developing and utilizing literacy skills throughout life. | | |
We want to hear from you!
Contact Us!
CCIRA Executive Committee
Michele Warner, President:
warnermichele4@gmail.com
Lisa Kahn, Executive Director:
lisakahnccira@gmail.com
Rebecca Hoover, Secretary:
rhoovr@gmail.com
Amy Vermeulen, Marketing Co-Chair: amy.ccira@gmail.com
Tanisha Lee, Marketing Co-Chair:
tanisha.lee@jeffco.k12.co.us
Katie Rupp, Partnership Chair:
rupp_katie@svvsd.org
Christina Lamb, Outreach Chair:
cristina.lamb@weldre5j.org
Corina Strickland, Conference Committee Representative: corina@strickco.com
Anne Folsom, Member at Large:
annefolsomccira@gmail.com
Jessica Endres, Member at Large:
jessicaendresccira@gmail.com
| |  | Is your local council, state committee, school, or community doing something extraordinary for literacy in Colorado? Do you have a great idea to share with other educators on how to enhance literacy in the classroom? Do you know of a conference or event that CCIRA members might be interested in attending? If so, please contact Amy Vermeulen (amy.ccira@gmail.com) to submit information for publication. | | | | | |
