EDITOR’S
NOTE
Colleen Patrice Clark
Managing Editor
cclark@reading.org
ransforming Lives Through Literacy 2.0.
It’s the theme of this year’s ILA Conference
in Boston, but what does it mean? Is it an
extension of last year’s experience in St.
Louis? Does it focus on technology and the
latest gadgets and innovations in literacy
instruction? Yes—to both. However, it is most
importantly about innovation in an even
broader sense. How can you, individually,
contribute to redefining literacy education
and the classroom experience? How can we,
together, find pathways that’ll take us to the
next level in our field?
A sneak peek at what to expect in Boston
can be found in the pages of this magazine,
as well as the accompanying Conference
Preview. Both Newbery Medal–winning
author and poet Kwame Alexander (page 22)
and YA novelist Laurie Halse Anderson (page
26) will discuss the empowerment found in
literature and the responsibility they each
feel toward readers, while literacy advocate
Adora Svitak (page 30) will discuss coming of
age in a digital world—and how all teachers
play a critical role.
You’ll also hear from 15 other conference
speakers, from our Preconference Institutes
to Literature Luncheons to Teaching Edge
sessions and more.
That means that whether you’re able
to make it to Boston with us or not—and we
truly hope it’s the former—you’ll get a taste of
the experience and read about methods you
can start incorporating in your classroom
tomorrow.
If you do plan to attend, you’ll be asked
just one question when you leave: What steps
will you take to advance literacy?
You’ll find plenty of answers for how to lift
your instruction to the next level at ILA 2016.
See you there,
THE NEXT LEVEL
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March/April 2016 | LITERACY TODAY