CCIRA December Newsletter 2019
A Message from CCIRA President,
Jessica Rickert
Happy Holidays from CCIRA

December is such a magical time of year. Spending time with family and friends, taking time to rest and rejuvenate, embracing your inner child. In between the craziness of the classroom and your family, take time to observe the wonder of the season. 

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Jessica



CCIRA General Assembly

The CCIRA General Assembly will take place
February 6, 2020 from 7:30-8:15 
Marriott Denver Tech Center

All CCIRA members are invited to the General Assembly.
Are you registered?
Luncheons at #CCIRA20
Sharon Miller, #CCIRA20 Conference Chair
Did you know that luncheons are one of the best events at CCIRA? Enjoy a healthy lunch with your friends, hear an amazing speaker, and win prizes!!! Luncheon attendees will have a chance to win a free 2021 conference registration as well as signed copies of the speakers' books. Check out the bios for our Luncheon speakers for 2020:

Thursday: Gail Boushey and Allison Behne

Gail Boushey is the co-founder of The 2 Sisters Company/Educational Design LLC and the co-author of the best-selling books The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades ; and The CAFE Book: Engaging All Students in Daily Literacy Assessment & Instruction ; more than a dozen professional development DVDs; and many articles available on The Daily Cafe website .

Allison Behne first discovered her love for teaching when as a high school student she worked as a dance instructor for young children. During the last 18 years, she has taught everything from preschool through college, working as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and professor of education. A true lifelong learner, Allison has a Masters in Reading and Literacy and is currently working on her dissertation, the final step in completing her doctorate in teacher leadership.

Don’t miss out! This is your chance to hear The Two Sisters speak!
Change is inevitable, but progress is not. Discover three key principles to embracing change that will leave you inspired to make a positive difference both at school and at home.
Thursday: Matt de la Peña

Matt de la Peña is the New York Times Bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of seven young adult novels (including Mexican WhiteBoy , We Were Here , and Superman: Dawnbreaker) and five picture books (including Love and Last Stop on Market Street ). In 2016 he was awarded the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award. Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific where he attended school on a full basketball scholarship. In 2019 Matt was given an honorary doctorate from UOP. Matt de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn NY. He teaches creative writing and visits schools and colleges throughout the country.

Check out Matt's website , where you can find a link to his recent performance on The Storyteller's Thread Podcast.
Friday: A.J. Juliani

A.J. Juliani is a lucky husband and father to four amazing kids. He currently works as the Director of Learning and Innovation at Centennial School District (PA), and he is Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (PLN). He previously worked as an Education and Technology Innovation Specialist at Upper Perkiomen School District, as well as a K-12 Technology Staff Developer overseeing a 1:1 initiative, middle school ELA teachers, and a high school English teacher (as well as a football and lacrosse coach).

More importantly, A.J. is someone who truly believes in the “inquiry-driven” education movement. He has four kids of his own, and he wants them to grow up in a world that values their ideas. A.J.’s blog and website serve as a place where he can share ideas and thoughts around “Intentional Innovation” and the future of learning.

A.J. has inspired me to innovate when it comes to working with kids! He is an engaging speaker who won’t disappoint! Be empowered and launch your creativity!

Three of his books to check out include:
  • Launch: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student
  • Empower What Happens When Students Own Their Learning
  • The PBL Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Actually Doing Project-Based Learning
Additional Featured Speakers We're Thrilled to Welcome to #CCIRA20:

Clare Landrigan (Sessions 102,161,231)

After graduating from Bucknell University, Clare moved to Boston, MA to pursue her MA in Child Development at Tufts University. During this time, she also taught at the Lab School at Eliot-Pearson Children’s School at Tufts University. After teaching for some years, she became a project manager and consultant for Tufts University’s Center for Applied Child Development where she spent four years helping urban, suburban, and rural schools implement research-based literacy instruction through reading and writing workshops. In 2003, Clare joined Wayland Public Schools as the co-director of curriculum for English Language Arts for Wayland Public Elementary Schools. She then co-founded a private staff development business, Teachers for Teachers. Clare worked with various school systems to implement best practices in the field of literacy and to engage in institutional change through shared leadership. This work will continue under her LLC, as well as, speaking at state and national conferences, and presenting workshops with schools around the country.

Read more about Clare on her website .
Elisabeth Bostwick
(Sessions 308,365,453)

Elisabeth Bostwick is a multi-award-winning educator who is passionate about creating the conditions to spark curiosity and unleash creativity to empower learning. She is the author of Take the L.E.A.P.: Ignite a Culture of Innovation and co-author of Education Write Now, Volume II: Top Strategies for Improving Relationships and Culture . As an instructional coach supporting K-12 teachers, Elisabeth works alongside colleagues to deepen learning, leveraging highly effective strategies that engage and empower all learners to maximize growth.

Learn more about Elizabeth on her website .
For a list of featured speakers, click here !
Full registration book is online under the Conference tab.
Don't miss out: register here !
What's New on the CCIRA Blog?

CCIRA.blog features a wide variety of nationally renowned literacy experts, as well as talented practitioners from across Colorado. Check out our most recent 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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CCIRA Executive Committee

Jessica Rickert, President : [email protected]
Sharon Miller, President Elect:   [email protected]
Pam Minard, Vice President: [email protected]
Amy Ellerman , Immediate Past President: ellermanamy @gmail.com
Michele Warner , State Coordinator:
Corina Kaskey , Secretary: [email protected]
Sue Goodenow , State Membership Coordinator: [email protected]
Emily Bradley, Marketing Coordinator: [email protected]
Cathy Lynskey , Treasurer: [email protected]
Lisa Kahn, Administrative Assistant: [email protected]
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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