A Message from CCIRA President,
Jessica Rickert
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As the summer is nearing the end, I am definitely feeling the summer blues. What a gift to have the summer to rejuvenate.
While I was reading the
latest CCIRA blog
I was reminded of our amazing profession where we get a fresh start every August to make a difference in students’ lives. The blog also reminded me that education isn't a job but my profession. If you haven’t read the
most recent blog post
I encourage you to do so before going back to work. I especially appreciated the checklist, and it helped me to think about where I am and what I still want to improve.
Part of our profession is continuing to learn and developing our skills. The Northern Colorado Councils hosted their first regional conference in July with local authors and educators presenting on various topics. It was wonderful to learn from those educators, and I am already looking forward to next year’s conference.
We will keep you updated on other council events occurring in your area throughout the year to support your continued professional growth.
Enjoy these last days of summer and have a great start to the 2019-2020 school year!
Jessica Rickert
CCIRA President
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A Peek into the 2020 Conference:
Tina Boogren
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Tina Boogren's
Take Time For You:
Self-Care Action Plans for Educators
Changing the way I Think
Sharon Miller
#CCIRA20 Conference Chair
After reading
Take Time for You
, I have roped my husband into being my accountability partner. Tina has helped me to look at Maslow's Hierarchy of needs in a whole new light, and I have made some small changes.
One is: I have set an alarm on my phone for three times a day to check in with my physiological needs. For me, that’s filling my water bottle! When the alarm goes off, I choose a song as the ringtone that brings a smile to my face. (Keb' Mo': "I’m Amazing!") This is the song I played in transition times in my classroom; we would dance (kindergarten style) to our next activity!! Now at work, everyone laughs when the song starts playing and says, "Sharon, go fill up your water bottle!" But I see them smiling!
It’s powerful to take care of yourself! And this is the kind of message we need to demonstrate to kids.
Come and join us at CCIRA's Annual Conference on Saturday, February 8, 2020 to learn more from Tina Boogren on how to be our best selves.
Curious to learn more before Tina joins us in February? Check out the
Self-Care for Educators Book Club, reposted weekly on the CCIRA Facebook page.
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Innovation: Imagining the Future of Literacy
#CCIRA20
Please join us February 5-8, 2020
Marriott Denver Tech Center
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#Recharge! Celebrating the Northern Colorado CCIRA Teacher Conference
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Thank you to everyone who attended the #Recharge mini conference in Loveland on July 25! The event was sold out!
Special thank you to the planning team, comprised of local council leaders from Windsor CCIRA, Weld CCIRA, Loveland CCIRA, Ft. Collins CCIRA, and Johnstown/Milliken CCIRA.
Local councils are the heart of CCIRA, and this event was a perfect example of the way councils go above and beyond to support professional learning in their communities.
Thank you to the amazing speakers who donated their time and expertise:
- Mark Ludy
- Julie Danneberg
- Gary Johnston
- Kristen Arnold
- Kristen Dalton
- Ginger Hazel
- Sheila Bowman
- Tonya Deering
- Kristen Stewart
- Suzette Youngs
- Chris Keyser
- Sarah Mireles
- Sarah Coatman
- Kate Ferrey
- Katrina akers
- Jennifer Dizmang
- Robin Murray
- Kathy Mattenklodt
- Stephanie Bianchi
- Erica Killham
- Cameron Sanders
- Laura Resau
Thank you to the sponsors of the event:
- University of Northern Colorado
- Old Firehouse Books
- The Human Bean
- Knowledge Bound
- CCIRA
Thank you for the door prize donations from:
- The Home Depot
- Knowledge Bound
- Town of Windsor
- Lula Roe
- Pampered Chef
- Scentsy
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Have you been reading our weekly blog?
If you're not already subscribed, you should be! Every Tuesday we have a new post from a wide variety of nationally renowned literacy experts, as well as talented practitioners from across Colorado. Check out our last four posts:
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!
If you might be interested in submitting a guest post to CCIRA.blog, please contact Hollyanna Bates ([email protected]).
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August Teaching Tip from TPS
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Recapping the TPSWR Summer Teacher Institute on Women's Suffrage
On June 27-28, 2019, Teaching with Primary Sources Western Region hosted the 3rd annual Summer Teacher Institute in collaboration with the History Colorado Center and the Center for Colorado Women’s History at the Byers-Evans House Museum.
Thirty six educators from Colorado, New Mexico, Alaska, and Wyoming attended the 2-day intensive focusing on telling the Women’s Suffrage story through Library of Congress historical documents.
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A Message From Longtime Supporter of Colorado Educators, Families, Students, and CCIRA, Gary Johnston
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For many years I've presented at CCIRA and through the talent bank on how we can help families become families that read. The purpose of the presentation is to show teachers and parents a step by step approach in how we can instill the love of reading in children.
I turned seventy this month, so I'm winding down the presentations and the travel involved. . . according to my wife, the roads will be safer as a result. She and I pooled our resources to produce an online video of my presentation as an enduring and easy way to get the message of reading to teachers and families.
Anyone can access the video (
at this link
or) by googling: Turning Kids into Readers by Gary Johnston. It's my hope many teachers will use this as a resource and pass it along to parents.
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Visit
CCIRA.org t
o look over the array of grants and awards CCIRA offers. We hope you will consider applying for a grant or nominating a deserving educator for an award to be presented at the Annual Conference on Literacy in February!
Here are two grants with application deadlines coming up soon(ish):
- Teacher as Writer: Due August 30
- This grant is for up to $500 to support a group of teachers exploring their own writing lives. Research shows that teachers who write are stronger writing teachers. Grant money can support a writing retreat, books, or other activities that encourage writing experiences for the group members. You are only limited by your own imagination!
- Technology and New Literacies: Due Sept. 30
- How might $1000 support you in integrating technology and new literacies into your classroom? This is another open-ended grant looking for creative and innovative educators to re-think ways we might support literacy with kids. . .
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CCIRA Executive Committee
Amy Ellerman
, Immediate Past President: ellermanamy
@gmail.com
Michele Warner
, State Coordinator:
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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 Ellerman ( [email protected]) to submit information for publication.
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