Register Now!!

Go to CCIRA.org to register or simply click the registration book and registration link below to get started! Sessions are selling out so register soon!!

We can't wait to see you at the conference!!

Cost to Attend the

2024 CCIRA Conference

Full Conference - $395

Friday & Saturday - $315

One Day Only - $275

Student - $95

Retired - $180

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!

You don't want to miss an opportunity to see our amazing luncheon speakers! Did you register for the conference and forget to select the luncheons? It's not too late! Go back to your confirmation email and find the link to update your registration!

Kate & Maggie Roberts

Join us for the Thursday luncheon featuring Kate and Maggie Roberts! With their extensive experience, they've encountered the full spectrum of highs and lows in the realm of educator professional development. Prepare to be captivated as Kate and Maggie unveil their strategies for optimizing professional development programs, ensuring they align precisely with educators' needs to conquer the ever-evolving demands and challenges in our field. Let these two speakers rekindle your passion for teaching and empower you to discover your teaching soul once more. Don't pass up this opportunity!

Pam Muñoz Ryan

Attend Friday's luncheon with renowned author Pam Muñoz Ryan! As a Newbery Honor recipient and New York Times Bestselling Author, Pam will share her diverse childhood experiences in the San Joaquin Valley, her journey to publishing, and the influence of teachers and librarians on her path to writing Esperanza Rising, Becoming Naomi Leon, Riding Freedom, Paint the Wind, The Dreamer, Echo, Mananaland, and Solimar. Imagine the awe in your students' eyes when you can proudly declare that you shared a lunch with Pam Muñoz Ryan. Secure your spot today and be part of this experience!

There is an amazing lineup of keynote speakers coming to

the 2024 CCIRA Conference!

Read below to learn more about each speaker's presentation.

Thursday Morning Keynote: Meenoo Rami

Nurturing the Human Element: Creativity, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking

The awe-inspiring advancements of AI have shown us that the core skills essential for our students' growth and success have not changed: creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking are now more important than ever. Together we'll discover the ways educators are leveraging AI as a tool, experimenting with the possibilities, and co-creating its role in the classroom with students.

Thursday Afternoon Keynote: Weston Kieschnick

Power Strategies

Discover the 5 strategies every teacher should have to accelerate growth and create engaging and meaningful learning experiences for kids. When we use innovative tools to support these strategies, we can make them both more effective and efficient.

Saturday Morning Keynote: Jovan Mays

More Bridges, Less Walls

Building community has long plagued the small enclaves of our greater writing networks. Often we find ourselves at odds rather than in support of one another. Academies push against Folk movements, genres push against each other, ism's are given priority, and frankly, we have done a better job building walls instead of bridges.

Friday Morning Keynote: Jan Burkins and Kari Yates

Shifting the Balance: Head Work and Heart Work

Teaching Practices and Pedagogy

Based on their groundbreaking Shifting the Balance books, Jan and Kari tell the story of their journey into the research often referred to as the science of reading. They acknowledge that rethinking practices is not only technical work, but is definitely emotional work as well.

Author and funny guy, Alan Katz, is presenting at the 2024 conference and would love to visit your school while he's in Colorado! He's written for multiple kids' TV shows and is the author of numerous books including the Liographies series, the Society of Substitutes series, and most recently, Got Your Nose. Go to alankatzbooks.com to learn more!

Local Activity Grant - Due February 1

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.

Model Literacy Award - Due December 10 (extended)

CCIRA sponsors a Model Literacy Award to recognize outstanding school based literacy programs. The exemplary programs will also serve as models for other schools. State recognition will be given to schools that meet the established criteria. The award of a plaque and $1,000 will be presented at the CCIRA Conference. The schools receiving this award could expect on-site visitations from interested people.

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!!📢

Check out the newest addition to the blog: Holding on to the Axe by 2024 CCIRA Conference presenter Kylene Beers! You can also find Word Histories in Your Word Study-Stories and Processes by Shane Templeton, Making the Case for Slow Reading by Maria Nichols and Reflection is Where the Learning Sticks: A Conversation and Resources for Sustainable Movement-Making in Schools by Kass Minor. 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.

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

Please read CCIRA's very important statement regarding membership linked below. It outlines an important change that our community needs to be aware of.

CCIRA's next Board of Directors Meeting will be held at the 2024 conference on February 8th from 6:00-7:00 at the Westin Hotel. Please plan on being there if you serve on your local council so we can have important conversations and make decisions. Look for an RSVP form in January.

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

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.

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.

CCIRA.inc. | ccirainfo@gmail.com | ccira.org