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Jumping off the Cliff:Notes
to Break your Fall
Real Teachers, Real Teaching, Real World.
Summary:
There have been numerous changes in Tennessee and in English education the past few years: new
standards, new testing platforms, new curriculum programs. ELA teachers are teetering on a precarious
cliff. One more gust of wind might knock us over the edge. If we are going to jump into the adventure with
both feet, then let us do it together. The ELA community of Tennessee has a unique opportunity to share
our notes on teaching to help cushion our fall.
Our 2015 conference is centered around the notion that our best resource is ourselves. Tennessee
contains so many successful individuals, but we are unquestionably stronger as a community. Share
sharing our resources and strategies we will be able to make even more strides than we have already
accomplished these past few years.
About:
Tennessee Council for Teachers of English is the state affiliate of the National Council for
Teachers of English. Our organization includes several hundred English teachers, pre-service
teachers, and professors.
Keynote List:
Opening Keynote (Friday): Sarah Brown Wessling
Sarah teaches English at Johnston Senior High School in Johnston, Iowa, and is the department
chair. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young
Adulthood. In 2010, Sarah was honored as National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief
State School Officers. In that capacity she was responsible for being the nation's teacher
ambassador for education—where she took part in more than 240 appearances, speeches and
workshops in 37 states as well as Japan and Finland. She is also co-author of a book entitled
Supporting Students in a Time of Core Standards: English Language Arts, Grades 9-12. Currently,
Sarah holds the positions of “Teacher Laureate” for the Teaching Channel.
Lunch Keynote (Friday): Dr. Alene Harris
Dr. Harris taught secondary language arts and life science in Nashville, TN, for 16 years, including
suburban, inner city, and private school classrooms. She began developing a vocabulary program
based on the Greek and Latin morphemes after her first year of teaching. This program continues
to be taught in Metro Nashville schools. Her interest in and concerns about teacher education led
her to pursue a Ph. D. in Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University, where she
has been a faculty member for the past 20 years. In 2003 she authored the program Getting Off To
A Good Start (GOTAGS), which is used in classrooms and districts all over the country. Her
consulting company, Ready to Teach, provides workshops world-wide to help instructors apply
principles of effective teaching and learning.
Breakfast Keynote and Round-Table Facilitator (Saturday):
Heather Adkins
Heather Adkins is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she was first introduced to
the National Writing Project and the idea that teaching is about more than just the lessons that are
taught inside the classroom. She has been teaching at Gallatin High School in Gallatin, TN since
2002, where she has taught all grade levels from inclusion to AP. In addition to teacher her kids,
Heather serves as her school’s teacher leader and as the Coordinator for Technology Initiatives.
Heather continues to occupy roles of leadership in English. She is co-director from the Middle
Tennessee Wiring Project, helps with curriculum development for the state of TN, and is an active
participant on Teachers Pay Teachers. Heather also enjoys writing, and her essay, “No Detectable
Difference” was feathered in the book What Teaching Means: Stories from America’s Classrooms.
In 2014 Heather published her first novel, Anything Less Than Everything.
Analysis
Conference Cost includes annual membership to TCTE, Lunch (Friday), Breakfast
(Saturday), 14 hours of PD credit, access to ELA teaching resources and lessons,
entrance to the education exhibits, and the chance to win great prizes from our
sponsors!
Institute Fee - $110
Student Fee - $25 *must provide student ID at door
On Site Registration - $120
**Special: Register 3 from the same school and get 1 FREE!
Sign up at http://www.eventbrite.com/o/tcte-tennessee-council-of-teachers-of-english-5483502695?s=30830275
or contact [email protected] for a paper registration form.