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CCIRA September Newsletter 2026
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In addition, Erik Palmer, Peg Grafwallner, Mark Overmeyer, and Rebecca Harper
will also be presenting at the 2027 CCIRA Conference on Literacy
held at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Denver, Colorado!
Registration and hotel information will be coming soon!
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The 2027 CCIRA Conference Program has arrived!
Get an exclusive first look at the exciting lineup of sessions designed to inspire, inform, and energize literacy educators. Click the button below to explore the full conference program, compare notes with friends and colleagues, and start planning your must-attend sessions. Registration opens October 1—mark your calendar and be ready to reserve your spot!
| | Meet Our 2027 Conference Speakers! | | |
Penny Kittle
Thursday Morning Keynote
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Kick off the conference with Penny Kittle, one of literacy education's most respected voices. With more than 40 years of experience as a classroom teacher and university instructor, Penny inspires educators to build joyful reading lives, authentic writing communities, and classrooms where student voice thrives. She is the author of Micro Mentor Texts, 180 Days, Book Love, 4 Essential Studies, and Write Beside Them.
After her Thursday keynote, Penny will lead two workshops focused on strengthening writing instruction through authentic practice and collaboration. Write. Connect. Grow. invites educators to write alongside colleagues, explore mentor texts, and build vibrant writing communities, while Writing with Passion: Reimagining Essay Writing offers practical strategies for helping students craft meaningful essays through notebook work, revision, and teacher modeling.
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Dr. Mary Ehrenworth
Thursday Afternoon Keynote
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Join Dr. Mary Ehrenworth for Thursday afternoon's keynote, Dynamic Vocabulary: Building Academic & Literary Language for All, as she explores how strong vocabulary instruction helps students become more confident readers, writers, and thinkers. Founder of Ehrenworth Literacy Innovations and a former faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University, Mary works with educators around the world to strengthen literacy through innovative, research-based practices. Her featured books include Vocabulary Connections: Deepening Students' Expressive and Academic Vocabulary, AI-Enhanced Literacy, AI and Reading Instruction, A High School Teacher's Guide to AI Across the Writing Process, and A High School Teacher's Guide to Writing Memoir.
Mary will also lead two timely conference sessions: Turning AI into a (Surprisingly Kind and Powerful) Writing Coach and Instructional Partner for Teachers and Students, featuring practical ways to use AI to support writing instruction, and A Deep Dive into Digital Reading – An Unexpected Journey, exploring strategies for helping students navigate today's digital texts.
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With more than 30 years of experience as a first-grade teacher, Dr. Maria Walther is known for sharing practical, engaging literacy strategies that teachers can implement right away. A literacy consultant, researcher, and author, Maria helps educators create classrooms where reading, writing, and curiosity thrive. Be sure to check out her featured books: The Ramped-Up Read Aloud, More Ramped-Up Read Alouds, A Year for the Books, and The Literacy Workshop.
Maria's sessions are packed with classroom-ready ideas for elementary educators. In 60 Picture Books, Endless Possibilities: Revving Up Your Read-Aloud Routine, she'll share high-impact read-aloud strategies that build vocabulary, comprehension, and meaningful conversations. In Navigating Nonfiction: Inviting Young Readers and Writers Into Informational Text, participants will discover simple routines that transform students' curiosity into authentic reading, writing, and research experiences.
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Cris Tovani is an internationally recognized literacy consultant, author, and educator with 39 years of experience teaching grades 1–12. A recipient of the International Literacy Association’s 2017 Thought Leader Award, Cris is known for turning literacy research into practical classroom strategies that engage readers and writers. Her featured book, Why Do I Have to Read This? Literacy Strategies to Engage Our Most Reluctant Students, provides powerful ideas for reaching all learners.
Cris will present Navigating the Borderlands: Supporting Comprehension Through Culturally Relevant Teaching in an Era of Censorship with Julia Torres, exploring how texts and multiple perspectives support critical thinking. She will also join fellow literacy leaders for Harnessing the Power of Storytelling: Lighting Up Teacher and Student Imagination for Present and Future Learning and explore the connection between comprehension instruction and the Science of Reading in Can’t We All Just Get Along? Investigating Where Comprehension Instruction and SOR Meet.
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Julia E. Torres is a nationally recognized teacher educator, librarian, and literacy leader whose work centers on equity, access, and creating inclusive literacy experiences for all learners. A veteran language arts teacher and teen programs administrator in Denver, Julia facilitates professional learning for educators and librarians nationwide and has been featured by organizations including NPR, PBS Education, School Library Journal, and Rethinking Schools. Her featured books include Seasons of Literacy: A Monthly Guide to Growing Lifelong Readers and Writers and Liven Up Your Library: Design Engaging and Inclusive Programs for Tweens and Teens.
Julia will join Cris Tovani for Navigating the Borderlands: Supporting Comprehension Through Culturally Relevant Teaching in an Era of Censorship, an interactive session exploring how culturally relevant texts, multiple perspectives, and critical conversations strengthen comprehension and empower readers. Participants will leave with strategies for helping students engage with complex texts and become thoughtful, confident readers.
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We are excited to welcome Lester Laminack back to the CCIRA Conference on Literacy after his inspiring presentation at our 2023 conference. Lester is a celebrated author, educator, and literacy consultant whose work has influenced teachers and students for decades. A former professor at Western Carolina University and recipient of multiple teaching awards, Lester brings a deep understanding of literacy development, reading, and writing instruction to schools across the country.
Lester is the author of numerous professional books, including From Empathy to Action and Critical Comprehension, as well as beloved children’s books such as Saturdays and Teacakes, Snow Day, A Cat Like That, Three Hens and a Peacock, Three Hens, a Peacock, and the Enormous Egg, and The King of Bees. Through his work, Lester continues to remind educators of the power of stories to build empathy, deepen understanding, and inspire lifelong readers and writers.
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Lester Laminack
Friday Morning Keynote
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Stella Villalba is a nationally recognized literacy leader and highly sought-after speaker with NCTE, known for her work in multilingualism, biliteracy, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. Raised in a bicultural and bilingual household, Stella believes multilingual learners’ languages, literacies, and lived experiences are powerful assets that should be honored in every classroom. As a teacher leader and staff developer, she supports educators in creating more equitable literacy experiences for all students.
In her Friday afternoon keynote, Tell Me More: Conferring as a Humanizing and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, Stella will explore conferring as a way to recognize students as writers, storytellers, and knowledge-makers. Her session, Conferring Design: A Cycle of Dialogic Encounters, invites educators to redesign writing conferences around listening, connection, and student voice. Featured books include Tell Me More: Conferring with Artists, Writers, and Storytellers and Wondrous Words: Reimagining Writers and Writing in the Elementary Classroom, co-authored with Katie Wood Ray.
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Stella Villalba
Friday Afternoon Keynote
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Dr. Marlee S. Bunch is an educator, scholar, and author whose work centers Black educators’ histories, culturally responsive teaching, and educational equity. A National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Research Associate at Rutgers University, Dr. Bunch uses storytelling and oral histories to honor lived experiences and inspire more human-centered learning.
In The Magnitude of Us: Building Culturally Responsive Learning Communities Through Literacy, Dr. Bunch will explore ways educators can create classrooms rooted in belonging, identity, and connection. Her featured books include The Magnitude of Us: An Educator’s Guide to Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms and Unlearning the Hush: Oral Histories of Black Female Educators in Mississippi in the Civil Rights Era.
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Helen White is a literacy coach and educator with more than 25 years of experience as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, district trainer, university professor, and dyslexia intervention specialist. She is passionate about helping educators implement evidence-based literacy practices that strengthen reading and writing instruction.
In Sensible Sound Walls: Inspiring Tools for Supporting Sound to Letter Connections, Helen will share practical strategies for using sound walls to strengthen phoneme-grapheme connections and support students' encoding and decoding skills. Be sure to check out her upcoming book, Sensible Sound Walls: Practical Classroom Tools for Supporting Sound to Letter Connections.
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Wendy Ward Hoffer is Senior Director of Content Development and Publications at the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC) and a nationally respected author and presenter. A former middle school math and science teacher and National Board Certified educator, Wendy helps teachers create engaging, student-centered classrooms where literacy, inquiry, and deep thinking thrive.
Be sure to explore Wendy's featured books, including Phenomenal Teaching: A Guide for Reflection and Growth, Cultivating STEM Identities, Developing Literate Mathematicians, Minds on Mathematics, and Science as Thinking. Wendy's session details will be announced soon.
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Back by popular demand, Gravity Goldberg returns to the CCIRA Conference on Literacy after being one of last year's most requested presenters. An educational consultant and author of ten professional books—including The Body-Brain Connection, Mindsets and Moves, Teach Like Yourself, and Active Learning—Gravity is known for helping educators create engaging, student-centered classrooms.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, literacy coach, staff developer, and professor, Gravity inspires educators to trust their expertise while empowering students to take ownership of their learning. We are thrilled to welcome her back for another year of practical ideas and inspiration.
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Mark your calendar for our 2027 CCIRA Conference on Literacy! We encourage you to join us as a vendor for the 2027 Conference in Denver, Colorado, February 4-6, 2027.
As a vendor you'll be part of one of the largest literacy conferences in the region. The conference will be held at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Denver on Quebec Street. The hotel offers several amenities including a large locked ballroom for exhibits, comfortable conversation areas, restaurants, and accessible parking.
Our exhibit hall will offer vendors limitless opportunities to interact with approximately 600 educators, invited speakers, authors, students, and other vendors. The exhibit area is spacious and centrally located within the conference itself.
Exhibit registration is now open. Click the link below to join us as a vendor for the 2027 Conference on Literacy! *Your space is not reserved until you have both registered and paid for your booth.
Highlights for our 2027 Vendors:
PRICING/SCHEDULE:
● Cost is $700 for Early Bird registration which ends on October 1, 2026. The price will then increase to $800.
● The exhibit hall is in a large, lockable ballroom. The space is well-lit, and easily accessible to all attendees.
● The exhibit hall will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday. In addition to the 7:30-8:00 time slot (before Keynote), we have specifically scheduled EIGHT times for attendees to peruse the hall:
7:30-8:00 am
10:30-11:00 am
2:00-2:15 pm
3:15-3:45 pm
● Attendees will have opportunities to visit throughout the day as their schedules permit.
● A table with a skirting and tablecloth, Wifi, and electricity, and free parking are included in the vendor fee.
GOOSECHASE:
● We will be using Goosechase once again for our event. It is an interactive app designed to encourage people to explore the exhibit hall and engage with vendors! Goosechase allows us to track attendees' activities throughout the conference. We invite you to contribute donations for prizes that will be awarded to participants who enter Goosechase activities. Each vendor will create a unique "mission" for attendees to complete at their booth (we'll reach out later with details). It's lots of fun and increases booth perusal!
SPONSORSHIPS/ADVERTISEMENTS:
● As vendors, you can sponsor an event during the conference. This can be as simple as providing cookies for the attendees or perhaps sponsoring a special event during the day and/or evening. You can look at our website for options and contact Lisa Kahn, Executive Director, to discuss opportunities and sponsorship details.
● Advertisements in the conference program can be purchased at the time of registration.
We remain committed to making the exhibits an important part of the conference experience. Exhibits at the conference are relevant and valuable for both attendees and vendors.
Please register now to reserve your space! Early registration helps with planning, and is more economical for vendors! Please do not hesitate to contact CCIRA with any questions.
Meghann Evans
meghann.evans@dcsdk12.org
Jessica Endres
jessica.endresccira@gmail.com
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Spread the Word About
the 2027 Conference!
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Click the button below to print flyers. Hang them in the staff lounge, above copiers, and on bathroom doors. Then tell your friend this is why they should join you:
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Experience three days of in-depth collaboration with fellow educators from across the country in a rich literacy setting.
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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 2027 conference, we have Penny Kittle, Stella Villalba, Gravity Goldberg, Lester Laminack, and Cris Tovani.
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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 teachers 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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Book Lester Laminack
For Your School!
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2028 Conference
Theme Contest
| | | | Shape the future of literacy by entering the CCIRA 2028 Conference Theme Contest! Submit your creative theme idea with a brief explanation of why it’s inspiring and relevant. The winning theme will guide the 2028 conference and earn the winner a complimentary registration to the 2027 CCIRA Conference. Open to everyone passionate about literacy, the contest runs until September 30, 2026. Check past CCIRA themes for inspiration, share with friends, and make your mark on the next conference! | | 2026 Colorado Children's Book Awards | | |
The winners of the 2026 Colorado Children's Book Award
have been announced!
| | Thank you to the students and educators who took part in this year’s voting process. Your excitement and participation play an important role in nurturing a lifelong love of reading for children across Colorado. | | |
2027 Nominees
Here are the nominees for the 2027 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 2027 winners.
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Click the button to find a PDF of the 2027 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!!📢
Additional posts by previous and upcoming speakers include:
Previous blog contributor Ralph Fletcher let us know he is now doing a newsletter. Check it out here and sign up: https://ralphfletcherbooks.com/newsletter/
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
| | | | Put it in your calendar now! CCIRA's next Board of Directors Meeting will be held on November 7th from 9:00-1:00 at the Lone Tree Hub. Please plan on being there if you serve on your local council or as an ambassador. Lunch will be included, and there will be a guest speaker!! An RSVP form will be sent out as we get closer to the date. Please reach out to Michele Warner if you'd like to join us. | | 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 2027 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.
We had our first meeting on September 12th. If you are still interested in becoming an ambassador, contact CCIRA President Michele Warner with any questions. Visit CCIRA.org to sign up today and make a difference in literacy education!
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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!
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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
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We're Using GoFundMe Too!
Click the button below to go to our GoFundMe. Once there, you can donate and share to help promote our mission of collaboratively encouraging, supporting, and advancing literacy through research-based instructional practices to increase literacy access to all.
| | | | 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
Christina Lamb, Treasurer:
cristina.lamb@weldre5j.org
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
Corina Strickland, Member at Large: 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. | | | | | |
