Lester Laminack

Clare Landrigan

Matthew Cordell

Lester Laminack has been a voice in education for many years. He has written several books for both teachers and children and will be at the 2023 conference with his new book Three Hens, a Peacock, and the Enormous Egg!! Check out his recent CCIRA blog post here as well as some of his books:

The King of Bees, Three Hens and a Peacock, The Ultimate Read-Aloud Resource 2nd edition, Writers ARE Readers, Reading to Make a Difference

Another CCIRA 2023 speaker is Clare Landrigan. She supports school systems around the country to implement best practices in the field of literacy and promotes a shared leadership model to engage in institutional change. Read her books Assessment in Perspective and It's All About the Books to learn more. 

Author and illustrator Matthew Cordell will be joining us at the upcoming CCIRA conference too! His work has won awards such as the Caldecott Medal and the Boston Globe-Horn Book honor award. Check out his books Cornbread and Poppy, Cornbread and Poppy at the Carnival, Wolf in the Snow, Hello, Neighbor!, and Bear Island.

Here are just a few of the other CCIRA 2023 conference speakers and their books:

Donalyn Miller & Colby Sharp - The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library

Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul - Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, Breathing New Life Into Book Clubs: A Practical Guide for Teachers

Cornelius Minor - We Got This

Nikki Grimes - Garvey in the Dark, Ordinary Hazards, Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance, Between the Lines, Oh, Brother!, Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice, Halfway to Perfect: A Dyamonde Daniel Book

Vicki Collett - Differentiated Mentoring and Coaching in Education: From Preservice Teacher to Expert Practitioner

Remember to check out the CCIRA Blog!

Reading CCIRA.blog every week—perhaps over lunch or a cup of coffee—builds a quick dose of professional learning into your routine. Who knows what ideas or inspiration this might spark!

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 post coming soon from author and 2023 conference speakers Nikki Grimes!

If you might be interested in submitting a guest post to CCIRA.blog, please contact Hollyanna Bates (hollyannabates@gmail.com).

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

CCIRA Partners in Empowering Literacy Educators

TOP REASONS TO PARTNER WITH CCIRA

• Over 2000 conference attendees will learn about your partnership with CCIRA.
• Our 1300+ members 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.

Meet Members of the

CCIRA Executive Committee!

Michele Warner - CCIRA President

          Greetings from CCIRA! My name is Michele Warner and I am thrilled to be chosen to lead this amazing organization for the next 3 years. I just completed my 30th year in education. I have taught Head Start, Kindergarten, Second and Third Grade. I also was a literacy coach and intervention teacher. I live in Windsor, where I also grew up. I teach 15 miles away in Greeley, where I have been for my entire career. I currently teach third grade, the best grade in my opinion. I am the proud mom to 2 amazing children, Kendra and Derek, and a nonnie to my favorite 7 year old, Kane!! He is truly the joy of my life. I have been married to my incredible husband, Bobby, for 35 years. I attended UNC in Greeley, where I received my Bachelor's in Education in 1992. I received my masters in Curriculum and Instruction from GCU in 2010. 

          I was lucky to be introduced to CCIRA by a mentor of mine in 2000. I quickly became very involved with my local Weld County Council, where I was in charge of writing the Teacher As Reader Grant. We used that grant to start a book club for teachers, but we read books that were for pleasure. I am proud that I am still part of this group of amazing readers, 22 years later. I then became the vice president of our local council for a few years. I later moved into the presidency of Weld's council. I was asked to be part of the Executive Committee in the role of Secretary in 2013. I served as secretary until I moved into the role of State Coordinator in 2019. I am excited for my new role as President of CCIRA.

          The CCIRA annual conference has been a big part of my teaching life. I have attended the conference since 2000. The friendships and learning that I receive from CCIRA has made me a better educator. 

          I love being part of CCIRA. The inspiration and encouragement to be a better educator has been invaluable.