by Clarissa Hardcastle

The Tennessee Reading Association (TRA) is pleased to announce that its annual conference, Literacy: The Core to Learning, will be held December 2-4, 2012, at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Over the past few years, annual conference attendance has steadily increased. In 2011, the conference had an attendance total of more than 600, and looks forward to the possibility of an even greater number of participants this year.

Because it values providing strong professional development for Tennessee teachers, TRA, along with TRA conference chair Angel Viera, announce that International Reading Association Past President Dr. Timothy Shanahan will be a keynote speaker. Vicki Gibson and Jan Hasbrouck will also serve as keynote speakers and share important information regarding the Common Core State Standards.

Annual Leadership Workshop

This summer, Randy Kincaid, the outgoing state coordinator who has served six years in this role, has once again made a leadership workshop possible for TRA through substantial donations and endless of hours of planning. He has made arrangements for the board and local council presidents to meet at a state park to learn more about the role of TRA across the state and how people can work together to make the TRA and local councils strong forces in Tennessee. In addition, Kincaid is bringing in Alan Sitomer to help members consider ways to integrate the common core standards across the curriculum. Jana Crosby, the incoming state coordinator, is looking forward to continuing the tradition of providing an annual TRA leadership workshop.

Tennessee Reading Association Website

To stay abreast of what is happening in TRA, please visit www.tnreads.org. Co-web designers Julie Baker and Jeremy Wendt have provided TRA with a professional and informative website that serves as a resource for TRA members, providing up to date information regarding current research and practices.

By the information posted on the website and the results of the four state meetings annual conference, one can see that TRA promotes literacy across the state and supports the standards set forth by the International Reading Association. Again, check out the website (www.tnreads.org) to attend the annual TRA conference in December.

Richard Peck autographs his book, A Teacher's Funeral, for Benita Bruster at the last TRA Conference. 

Jody Harris, Mollie Johnson, and Trudy Anderson served as student ambassadors at the 2011 TRA Conference—Literacy: Pass it on!

Clarissa Hardcastle is the strategic communications department intern at the International Reading Association.