The vision for the 2024 conference, Branching Out, Staying Rooted, is to help teachers explore, grapple with, and maybe reconcile their literacy roots with all of the changes that are happening in education today. We are offering a balance of sessions that will encourage teachers to explore their beliefs, but also challenge them to branch out - try new things, explore a new perspective, or reach their audiences just that much better. There are three main branches that we are exploring at the conference, and the speakers will each be connected to a branch. In this Communicator, we'd like to share with you the Diverse Texts & Topics branch:

To learn more about the branches, go to ccira.org!

Weston Kieschnick

Weston Kieschnick, a globetrotting educator, brings his boundless energy, enthusiasm, and unwavering passion to every session he presents. As the acclaimed author of Bold School, Breaking Bold, and his latest release, The Educator's Atlas, Weston's expertise is unmatched. Don't miss the opportunity to engage with him during the 2024 CCIRA conference, where he will lead invigorating discussions on blended learning. Prepare to be inspired as he shares innovative strategies that will propel your teaching to unprecedented heights. Join Weston to embark on a transformative journey, enriching your classroom with cutting-edge approaches and reigniting your zeal for education. Elevate your teaching game with insights from this exceptional visionary!

Ellin Oliver Keene

CCIRA is delighted to include Ellin Oliver Keene in the 2024 conference lineup! As a long-standing, passionate advocate of CCIRA, Ellin's dynamic presentation style will leave you feeling confident in instructional practices that impact student learning. Many of us have been deeply influenced by her seminal books like Mosaic of Thought or To Understand, as well as her 2018 release, Engaging Children. Her latest publication, The Literacy Studio, provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative teaching methods while staying grounded in reading and writing workshop. Join us on Saturday as Ellin shares her newest insights and captivates your heart and mind.

Matthew Kay

CCIRA is thrilled to welcome back Matthew Kay as a speaker at this year's conference! Last year, attendees were enlightened by a new understanding of the importance of discourse in all aspects of our lives. Drawing from his influential book, Not Light, but Fire, and his latest release, We're Gonna Keep On Talking, co-authored with Jen Orr, Matthew and Jen will provide valuable insights on facilitating meaningful conversations about race in both secondary and elementary classrooms. Benefit from their firsthand expertise as they guide us in how to effectively engage students and foster safe, supportive environments for constructive discussions.

Dr. Jennifer Scoggin and Hannah Schneewind

Get ready for the highly anticipated return of Jennifer Scoggin and Hannah Schneewind, the brilliant minds behind Trusting Readers! As co-creators of Trusting Readers LLC, their mission is to work hand-in-hand with educators, designing literacy opportunities that empower all students to flourish as avid readers and writers. Embracing a student-centered approach to literacy instruction, they instill the confidence in us to trust both ourselves and our readers in creating meaningful reading experiences. Secure your spot in their session at the 2024 CCIRA Conference to unlock a treasure trove of tools and techniques that will ignite your students' passion to drive their own learning.

Would you like to exhibit, sponsor, or advertise

during the 2024 CCIRA Conference?

The layout at the Westin Hotel ensures vendors' exposure to hundreds of conference attendees throughout the three days. Booths will line the spacious hallways where attendees will have easy access. Based on feedback, the sessions will be staggered to give attendees more access to your booth. As in the past, we will make announcements throughout the day, encouraging attendees to visit our vendors. 

Additional details for our 2024 Exhibits:

• Costs for renting a space will be based on exhibit location. Tier One is $800 in the main hallway. Tier Two is $600 in the hallway leading to the Westminster Ballroom’s main entrance. 

• Everyone will have a tablecloth, Wifi, and electricity included in the cost of the registration, along with free parking.

• The Exhibit Hall will only be open on Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. In the past some vendors have also chosen to stay open during Saturday sessions.

• We will have drawings for prizes based on attendee visitation to vendor booths throughout the conference. We would appreciate any donations you may be willing to give for those prizes. There will be two levels of prizes for attendees visiting vendor booths: hourly drawings throughout the day and a grand prize given by the conference chair. 

• There will be a vendor happy hour on Thursday night allowing exhibitors the opportunity to converse with attendees in a more relaxed atmosphere. Vendors can purchase drink tickets to promote their exhibit and encourage attendees to visit.

• Please consider sponsoring an event during the conference - something as small as cookies for the attendees to as big as a hosted Happy Hour. 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 a part of the conference experience that is relevant and valuable for both attendees and exhibitors.

We have limited exhibit space this year so please book early! Registration is open now!! Just click the button below!

Local Activity Grant

Does your council have a great idea for an activity involving reading/writing instruction or promoting literacy in schools? If so, you can fill out the application for the Local Activity Grant (formerly the Council Development Grant). Click the button below to go to the grants page of the CCIRA website. This grant is awarded three times a year. Due dates for applications are August 1, February 1, and April 1. Contact Jessica Endres with any questions you may have.

CCIRA Literacy Conversations

Learn from some of our 2023 conference speakers and more in our library of podcasts! There are episodes from Cornelius Minor, Charles R. Smith, 

Whitney La Rocca, Krista Griffin, Melanie Conklin, Pernille Ripp,

Gordan Korman, and more! Click the button below and listen in!

CCIRA Professional Development Blog

All Things Literacy

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!!📢

Did you see Reflection is Where the Learning Sticks: A Conversation and Resources for Sustainable Movement-Making in Schools by Kass Minor? If not, click the link and take a little inspiration into the upcoming school year. Carl Anderson's Teach Writing With Mentor Texts! and Look After Your Twisted Ankles: Professional Development in Troubled Times by Kate and Maggie Roberts are also there for your reading enjoyment. There are several other great posts as well, including Re-Imagining RtI / MTSS: Putting Students Back at the Center of Instructional Designs by Julie Wright and Mark Bazata and Nawal Qarooni's Breathing Life Into the Syllabus: How Teaching Preservice Educators Hones My Practice.

📃If you are interested in submitting a guest post to the CCIRA blog, please contact Hollyanna Bates.📃 hollyannabates@gmail.com

Take a look at these two new books from our blog contributors!

August BOD Meeting!

Our next BOD meeting is August 19th from 9-1 at the Lone Tree HUB, 8827 Lone Tree Parkway. Lunch will be provided!! Local council board members are expected to attend. If you haven't already submitted an RSVP, please click below to do so. If you are not part of a local council, but are interested in becoming more involved with CCIRA, please feel free to attend as well!

Attend PPIRA's Coaching Consortium!

Connect with coaches from around the Pikes Peak Region as they share specific ideas and examples that have led to effective teacher development and student learning. Learn innovative coaching techniques and leave with coaching tools that can be immediately implemented.

Our Keynote Speaker this year is Rebecca Frazier, PhD, author of Joy of Coaching.

We welcome all educators, especially

• Instructional Coaches
• Building Leaders
• Educators interested in becoming instructional coaches

Topics for this event include:

• Characteristics of Effective Coaches
• Coaching Cycles and Roles
• Tips for Implementing New Programs
• Classroom Management
• Coaching Teachers to Differentiate Instruction Using ELA Data

A light lunch buffet will be served.

CDE Licensure Credit: 4 hours

For questions, email ppirareading@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

This Month's Featured Fundraiser

CCIRA Partners in Empowering Literacy Educators

TOP REASONS TO PARTNER WITH CCIRA

• Over 2000 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.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

Are you an author or someone who hopes to become one? If so, the SCBWI Letters & Lines Conference is for you! This annual fall conference for the SCBWI Rocky Mountain Chapter will be held September 9-10 in Golden, Colorado. 

Click below to find the schedule, cost, and other important registration information! We are so excited to have SCBWI as one of our newest CCIRA partners!

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.

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