The 2014
Virginia State Reading Association conference at the Hotel Roanoke was supported in no small part by Bath County staff members! The conference chair was Kim Lancaster, participant bags were stuffed by several staff members, they served as presiders at sessions to introduce guest speakers, Sue Hirsh provided greetings at one of the large general sessions, Tammy & Mindy provided wonderful music before the banquet, and DJ Joey entertained at an evening event.
The event featured 200 professional development opportunities for nearly 1,000 teachers of reading in attendance from across the commonwealth. Congratulations for a job well-done! Teachers and administrators are encouraged to get involved with state and regional professional organizations to enhance their skills and to give back to the profession.
This year's VSRA conference keynote and featured speakers included world renowned authors and educators including
Anna Dewdney (Llama Llama book series),
Donalyn Miller (The Book Whisperer),
Henry Cole (A Nest For Celeste),
Jan Richardson (The Next Step in Guided Reading),
Tanny McGregor (Comprehension Connections),
Stephanie Harvey (Strategies That Work),
Chris Lehman (Falling in Love with Close Reading),
Roland Smith (The Storm Runners),
Nikki Giovanni (The Power of Storytelling),
Pamela Duncan Edwards (While the World is Sleeping),
Marcia Invernizzi (PALS),
Lester Laminack (Working Toward Civility, Kindness and Human Compassion),
Laura Robb (Accelerate Reading Achievement),
Lisa Myers (Literacy is NOT a Spectator Sport) and many, many more!