Search Associates Attends ILA Conference

Search Associates (SEARCH) School Coordinator Nazgol Adili and Marketing Coordinator Tiffany Young Yannelli joined participants at the extensive conference for the International Literacy Association (ILA) this October 10–13^th in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme for the event was Creating a Culture of Literacy.

Three General Session speakers inspired participants before they dove into—as the ILA program promised—“two full days of learning with literacy leaders from across the globe . . . access to hundreds of peer-reviewed sessions, workshops, and panels as well as more than 100 vendors in the Exhibit Hall.” Chelsea Clinton, author of several books, including She Persisted, seeks to inspire leadership in our youth today. Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA and author of 12 books, Pedro A. Noguera, spoke about the results of his research focusing on the social and economic influences that shape school conditions. His efforts aim at fighting poverty. The third speaker was award-winning children’s author Renée Watson, who is also Founder of I, Too, Arts Collective, “a non-profit committed to nurturing underrepresented voices in the creative arts.” Finally, Hamish Brewer—veteran teacher, administrator, international education director and consultant, and author—spoke about the “innovative approach and extensive background in literacy [fueling] his work on motivation, best practices, and the implementation and use of technology in schools, all detailed in his first book.

Featured Speakers enhanced the conference as well. Dave Stuart Jr., award-winning high school teacher and best-selling author, is guided by a simple belief: “All teachers and students should flourish long term.” Executive Director of the New York University Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, David E. Kirkland is a leading national scholar and international advocate for educational justice. His work explores topics such as school climate and discipline; school integration and choice; culture and education; vulnerable learners; and intersections among race, gender, and education.” High school English teacher, literacy consultant, and co-director for the Pennsylvania Writing & Literature Project, Tricia Ebarvia explores “ways in which readers’ varied and intersecting personal identities inform how students read themselves, texts, and the world.” Donalyn Miller, coauthor of Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids, travels the globe offering “presentations, workshops, school visits, publications, and online collaborations [that help] shape the culture of literacy in countless classrooms and communities.”

Nazgol and Tiffany welcomed many potential candidates at the SEARCH table in Exhibitors Hall. They enjoyed meeting author Sharon Robinson, who was there for a book signing of her memoir Child of the Dream: A Memoir of 1963.