As 2011-2012 Kentucky Reading Association (KRA) President Cindy Parker began her transition into summer, she took a few moments to share an update with us about their activities and acolades.
1. Are you especially proud of any of your council’s projects?
This past year, all of the local councils received Honor Council status from the International Reading Association (IRA). Our local councils have worked hard to increase both membership and involvement of their members. Several councils made significant increases. Sessions to engage "new" teachers and future teachers through local workshops, focusing on professional development topics such as the Common Core State Standards, Response to Intervention, and effective writing strategies for teachers, led by department of education consultants and education cooperative staff, who are also KRA members, have been well attended and well received.
Additionally, we are proud of our partnership with the First Lady, Jane Beshear, and partner agencies to support the Kentucky Literacy Celebration week as well as a statewide summer reading initiative. KRA also supports the Kentucky Bluegrass Award, where students get to vote for their favorite books in K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. A luncheon is held at the annual conference to recognize the winners, and libraries can apply for awards of sets of the books.
2. What are the benefits of joining your council?
Our mission is "To be a Voice for Literacy" and we have a large and organized council that supports teachers, faculty, families, and communities. Our organization supports and promotes literacy with multiple organizations; our local council events encourage collaboration and networks; our annual state conference also provides professional development and keynotes from national experts and researchers to keep our membership up-to-date and informed. KRA also sponsors several mini-grants to support classroom teachers and libraries.
3. Are there any future projects in store for your council?
This year we went online with our Kentucky Reading Journal and plan to continue this as a resource for membership. We are also looking at setting up online book studies and virtual sessions leading up to our state conference to build enthusiasm and interest in the practices featured by our keynote speakers.
4. How does one join your council?
Membership information is available at www.ky/.
5. Is there a website, newsletter, or another way to find out more information about your council? Is there a person that prospective members can contact?
Our website has online archives of our newsletter.
Kentucky Reading Association board members