Pittsburgh Regional Scholastic Writing Awards

I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Pittsburgh Regional Scholastic Awards ceremony this week.

The event sponsored by The Western Pennsylvania Writing Project recognized the exceptional writing of students in Middle school and High school with awards in poetry, fiction, essays and memoir.

We are lucky to have these new voices, ideas, and passion in our writing community and in the world today. 

For me a motivation and an inspiration!

Places I Have Lived

Places where people are proud, gracious and welcoming.

Read and get to know them.

Share their dreams and adventures.

Books can help battle ignorance racism and prejudice.   Build awareness.

Encourage curiosity and understanding.

READ!

With Sorrow: Teddy Draper Sr. Navajo Code Talker

 I had the privilege of knowing Teddy Draper Sr. and to learn his story over the last few years.  He passed away on December 16, 2017.

I am a writer and yet he taught me about language.  Not only how it was used with courage and bravery by the Navajo Code Talkers in the pacific in World War II.

I learned from Teddy Sr. that language truly can be sacred.  Words are not just words but they carry the power of the actual things they represent. 

He said,  “It is by our language that the Navajo People know who they are, how we are related and where we come from”. 

I will always remember the time I spent with him.

It is a sorrow to know he has passed.   And a comfort to know he left quietly with his family around him.

Wishing You Hope for the Holidays and into the New Year.

A shout out to Peebles elementary school for this little tree inspired by Circles of Hope.

Hope for the environment and...

 some recycling, creativity, imagination and determination.  Inspired by Galimoto.

NCTE 2017 Conference 2: One School One Book: Four Feet Two Sandals

One School, One Book indeed!  

One Little Book:   Connections, Kindness, Empathy, Generosity, Caring, Sharing, Friendship....

Thanks to Eva Thomas and the students at Popcopson Elementary School.

Look how they shared Four Feet Two Sandals at NCTE 2017.  Paste into your browser and enjoy.

https://animoto.com/play/ZBoSscRpoPZkM2jqjaZOMw?autostart=1

One Goal:  Peace.  An important goal.  One to keep in mind for the holiday season and beyond. 

Wishing Peace for all of us in the coming New Year.

NCTE: Saint Louis 2017

It was an honor and a delight to present with Mitali Perkins on the panel: 

Teaching AND Learning from our Students Today, Tomorrow, and Forever--Lessons from our Refugee Students through Texts of All Sorts for All our Students.

Here we are at the National Council of Teachers of English 2017 in Saint Louis.  That's Mitali's latest book You Bring the Distance Near.  Nominated for the National Book Award.

Learn more about Mitali and her books here:  http://www.mitaliperkins.com 

Why I Love Writing for Children

School Visits are the best!

Dedicated Librarians and Teachers.

Creative Librarians and Teachers and Students.

Enthusiasm.

Good listeners.

Great Questions.

Thanks you all at Hosack Elementary School!