A Message from CCIRA President,
Jessica Rickert
|
|
Happy New Year!
Most used words and phrases in 2020: dumpster fire, unprecedented, chaotic, unpredictable, stay safe, social distancing, pivoting, we’re all in this together, zoom.
As we close 2020 reflect on what good came from these words and phrases. From dumpster fires emerged warmth and new found support, from chaos emerged more time spent together as a family, from pivoting came new ideas and innovation, from zoom meetings the opportunity to wear sweatpants and still appear professional.
While 2021 will likely still be unpredictable, you still can have control over your resolutions. This year, instead of making multiple resolutions, I’m following "The Mindset Mentor", Podcaster’s Rob Dial’s advice, and making just one goal that I will focus on every day, to change my life by 2022. Dial believes that by following this method you can improve your mindset on a daily basis that will change your life!
|
|
Meet the Executive Committee! |
|
Every month we will introduce you to one of the leaders on the Executive Committee to help you get to know this part of the CCIRA leadership better. |
|
Michele is currently serving on the EC as the State Coordinator. She has had leadership roles in her local council, Windsor, as the president for 10+ years, and as a grant writer for 3 years. Michele also served on the EC as the secretary for 5 years. In her professional life, Michele has taught for 29 years through various roles that include: Headstart, kindergarten, second and third grade. In addition was an interventionist, and literacy coach. Outside of work Michele enjoys spending time with her grandson, along with hiking and biking. On the latest issue of the CCIRA Podcast, Michele discusses how she is managing online learning and shares ideas of
how to engage students during online
instruction.
|
|
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/
If you might be interested in submitting a guest post to CCIRA.blog, please contact Hollyanna Bates (hollyannabates@gmail.com).
|
|
CCIRA and the local councils have resources, podcasts, and events for you to access! |
|
 |
https://cciraliteracyconversations.simplecast.com/
|
|
|
|
Click on....CCIRA Reads to find out how you can get involved in an amazing book study!
|
|
|
|
The Jefferson County Council (JLA) participated in a book study through CEA's COpilot Program. This program provides courses that any teacher can participate in (discounted prices for CEA members). The courses also count towards your English Language PD credits required before re-licensure. JLA decided to join the book study, Comprehension Connections: Bridges to Strategic Reading by Tanny McGregor. Not only did we learn so much from her book, but had the opportunity to meet with Tanny herself! JLA plans to do another book study and author virtual meet-up through Copilot in the spring. Be on the lookout for an announcement either in your email or follow us on Twitter @Jeffcoliteracy.
|
|
Even though the holiday's are through.....shopping occurs all year round!
Make sure you check out the Shop With Scrip website and do some shopping online for a gift card.... and benefit CCIRA at the same time! *
|
|
Do you buy gift cards for your friends and family? Give a card to Starbucks or Amazon as a thank you to your favorite aunt? What if at the same time you could support CCIRA without spending an extra cent? That’s what you can do now by participating with Shop with Scrip, an online fundraising site. Since 1994, ShopWithScrip has been supporting schools and other non-profits in this unique way to fundraise. Just buy a gift card at one of the 750 retailers and know that a percentage is sent to CCIRA. It’s an easy way to support our work with literacy while you shop. For more information, visit https://www.shopwithscrip.com/ and then sign up to become a supporter of our organization.
When you are ready to make your purchase please use this enrollment number:
A34A3B6D69223
*CCIRA endorse this fundraising activity.
|
|
Building Educational Partnerships |
|
Colorado Educators!
An opportunity for Colorado Teachers
Online Contemporary Issues: Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 in China and the U.S. through Literature and Writing. January 12-May 3, 2021. This course will work with up to 10 Colorado secondary teachers to introduce them and their students to the book Wuhan Diaries: Dispatches from a Quarantined City, by the Chinese writer Fang Fang. Participating teachers will first engage in reading and discussion to appreciate differing cultural and social values as they relate to lived experiences during the pandemic, the "global" aspect of this pandemic, and how racial issues have arisen from the pandemic. Then the teachers will work with their students on a required classroom reading and writing implementation project. Flyer and application available December 3, 2020.
Lynn Kalinauskas
Senior Staff Associate - NCTA
Program for Teaching East Asia
University of Colorado Boulder
|
|
|
CCIRA Executive Committee
Jessica Rickert, President: jessrccira@gmail.com
Pam Minard, President-Elect: pam.minard@gmail.com
Christi Walker, Vice President: christimwalker@gmail.com
Anne Cook, Immediate Past President: annecook59@gmail.com
Michele Warner, State Coordinator:
warnermichele4@gmail.com
Corina Kaskey, Secretary: Corina.Kaskey@summitk12.org
Jessie Meeks, State Membership Coordinator: jessie.meeks@jeffco.k12.co.us
Emily Bradley, Marketing Coordinator: emily.bradley@weldre4.org
Stevi Quate, Partnership Chair: steviq@gmail.com
Cathy Lynskey, Treasurer: clynskey2000@gmail.com
Lisa Kahn, Administrative Assistant: lisakahnccira@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 Anne Cook (annecook59@gmail.com) to submit information for publication. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
