Finding the YA Community at NCTE Convention

If you’re an English teacher or a college student who plans to become an English teacher, you’ve probably heard about the NCTE Annual Convention, where teachers gather annually to share ideas and learn from each other about best practices in the teaching of English.

What you might not know is that people also come to NCTE's Annual Convention to learn about young adult literature and connect with others who write, read, and teach it. There’s no better place for teachers to grow professionally—and build relationships with YA allies—than at this annual event.

Tune in to hear about specific things you can do to find the YA community at NCTE Annual Convention. You’ll learn about the kinds of YA lit sessions that typically appear on the program, and you’ll hear tips from YA advocates about how to make the most of the opportunity to meet authors, discover new books, and connect with others who love young adult literature as much as you do.

YA advocates featured in this episode:

• Sarah Andrew-Vaughan, teacher at Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Kevin English, teacher at Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne, Michigan

• Cathy Fleischer, professor of English education at Eastern Michigan University

• Lea Kelley, teacher at St. Patrick’s School in Tacoma Washington

• Teri Lesesne, professor of library science at Sam Houston State University and former Executive Director of ALAN, the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE

• Moira McDermott, preservice teacher at Saint Louis University

• Donalyn Miller, author of The Book Whisperer and co-founder, with Colby Sharp, of the Nerdy Book Club website and blog

• Beth Shaum, teacher at St. Frances Cabrini Middle School in Allen Park, Michigan

• Renee Stites, teacher at Parkway Southwest Middle School in Ballwin, Missouri

• Brian Wyzlic, teacher at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Marine City, Michigan