VAASL 2024 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the VAASL 2024 Fall Conference App!
Telling Our Story through an incredible program of sessions and events.

arrow_back View All Dates

1:00pm EST

Best Books for High School

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Piedmont A

Want to hear about what's new? Learn about the titles getting all of the buzz in 2024, with a particular emphasis on audiobooks. A great narrator can make a great book even better!

Speakers

Allison Taylor

Librarian, LCPS

After working as an EL teacher ten years, Allison transitioned to the library in 2019. She graduated from GMU with a BA in Communication. She also holds an MEd in Secondary Education (ESL) from George Washington University and an MEd in School Librarianship from Longwood University... Read More →

Jeannine Everett

Librarian, LCPS

I'm a middle school librarian who loves "we can't do this, can we?" ideas. WeVideo Education Ambassador, Newsela Certified Educator and Future Ready Librarian. I'm passionate about media and news literacy, building student research skills and using technology tools to foster student... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Piedmont A

Collection Development

AASL Inquire, Explore
Audience High School

1:00pm EST

Critical Thinkers are Mini-Makers

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Piedmont B

Learn to utilize mini-maker projects with written story problems that require students to analyze a situation and decide on a solution. Then, each student creates the Mini-Maker solution with the provided materials. After completing the project, students reflect on the solution and project. BYOD for this hands-on session.

Speakers

Taryn Barlow

Librarian, Chickahominy Middle School

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Piedmont B

Instruction

AASL Include, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School, High School

1:00pm EST

Innovative Ways to Engage Readers with Diverse Learning Styles

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Allegheny C

Innovative approaches provide multiple access points into stories for readers of all learning styles. This interactive session, led by acclaimed authors Jo Watson Hackl and Landra Jennings, will utilize the VARK learning-style model as a starting point for equipping you with tools and techniques to use with your learners. Break-outs will be used during this multi-sensory session. Attendees will leave with hand-outs and resources.

Join us for this fun and informative session. Free swag and door prizes!

Speakers

Jo Watson Hackl

Guest Presenter, Author

Jo Watson Hackl is the national best-selling author of SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF MAYBE (Random House Children’s Books/Yearling Adventure), which won the Southern Book Prize and is an Amazon Teacher’s Pick and a “Read Across America” selection representing the state of Mississippi... Read More →

Landra Jennings

Author

Landra Jennings is the author of middle-grade fantasy novels The Whispering Fog and Wand published by HarperCollins Clarion Books. Her novel The Whispering Fog is a 2024-2025 SC Junior Book Award Nominee and a current SC Battle of the Books selection. Landra holds an MFA in Writing... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Allegheny C

Instruction Literature

AASL Inquire, Include, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School

1:00pm EST

Public and School Library Collaborations: From K-Teen and Everything In Between

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Tidewater C

Arlington Public Library and Arlington Public Schools libraries collaborate on many projects all year. We have ideas for students just starting kindergarten, working on their Senior Capstone project, and all grades in between. Join us to hear some ideas you can take back to partner with your public library.

Speakers

Amy Hailey

Supervisor, Arlington Public Schools

Keren Joshi

Assistant Division Chief, Public Services, Arlington Public Library

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Tidewater C

Programming

AASL Collaborate, Explore
Audience All Levels

2:00pm EST

Using Picture Books to Enhance and Enrich the SSGS Curriculum

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST

Piedmont A

Librarians will learn about a collaboration between middle school library staff and 7th grade social studies teachers who explored different ways to use fiction and nonfiction picture books within daily social studies lessons. Librarians will walk away with a list of picture books and corresponding activities/lessons. Includes ideas for using picture books with all areas of secondary SSGS curriculum.

Speakers

Melissa Larson

Librarian, BRAMBLETON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST
Piedmont A

Collection Development Instruction Literature

AASL Inquire, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience Middle School, High School

2:00pm EST

Curricular Connections with YALSA's 2024 Outstanding Books for the College Board

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST

Liberty AB

Explore how selections from YALSA's 2024 Outstanding Books for the College-Bound enrich curricular content. From literature to science to history and more, these books offer diverse perspectives and themes aligning with high school academic subjects. Presented by a member of the selection committee!

Speakers

Lisa Castellano

School Librarian, Norfolk Collegiate Upper School

This is my 14th year as a school librarian. I worked 10.5 years as a public middle school librarian and am now a librarian for a grades 6-12 independent school.

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST
Liberty AB

Collection Development Literature

AASL Curate, Explore
Audience High School

2:00pm EST

Language Arts Live! A Collaborative Storytelling Experience

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST

Patriot AB

Virginia author David Gorman shares his author talk that’s “a Language Arts lesson with gameshow energy!” Learn about this memorable lesson that will: teach the elements of story, inspire students to write fiction, and bring guaranteed giggles. Best of all, it can be easily replicated at your school.

Speakers

David Gorman

Author & Speaker for Kids 8-12

David Gorman loves inspiring students to read and write. He is the author of the Waldameer Mystery Files series, in which kids solve mysteries at an amusement park. Each book includes positive themes and a Discussion Guide for teachers. When he's not writing or speaking at schools... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST
Patriot AB

Instruction Programming

AASL Include, Collaborate, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School

2:00pm EST

AI and the Law

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST

Tidewater D

In this session, we'll explore the foundations, ethics, and legal minefield that is the current state of AI. We'll explore division policy, state policy, and the international landscape.

Speakers

IdaMae Craddock

Librarian, Albemarle County Public Schools

Mae Craddock is the librarian at the Lab School for Albemarle County Public Schools. Her research interests include AI, maker pedagogy, and source reliability.

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST
Tidewater D

Professional Growth Technology

AASL Inquire, Explore
Audience All Levels

2:00pm EST

Powerful Programming and Resourceful Funding

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST

Tidewater C

Discover how to transform your library programming into something exceptional and, most importantly, learn effective strategies to secure funding for these programs.

Speakers

Desiree Hopkins

Librarian, Moody Middle School

Originally from San Francisco, I've lived most of my life in South Florida before I more to RVA with my husband and three kids almost 12 years ago. My favorite part of the day is reading or designing projects on the couch with my two Havanese dogs. I discovered my passion for 3D printing... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST
Tidewater C

Programming

AASL Explore, Engage
Audience Middle School, High School

3:00pm EST

Biliteracy in the Library

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Piedmont B

School libraries are a bridge to access, support, and develop biliteracy skills while instilling a love of reading and creating life-ready learners. Using the AASL Standards Framework for Learners, we will look at each domain with a biliteracy lens to guide our teaching, curation work, and school community engagement.

Speakers

Jennifer Hill

School Librarian, Librarian, Holladay ES, Henrico County Public Schools

Hola! I am a school librarian at Holladay Elementary in Henrico County, VA. I built the county's first biliterate library collection and we are home to a thriving library program that supports students in both English and Spanish languages. I am a culturally-focused librarian... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Piedmont B

Collection Development Instruction Literature Professional Growth Programming

AASL Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Explore, Engage
Audience All Levels

3:00pm EST

Tell Your Story with Twine

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Liberty AB

Learn how to use Twine as a way to create interactive stories. This can be used with all subjects and is an easy way to integrate computer science standards! Please be sure to bring your own device as we will be spending the session writing our own Choose Your Own Adventure Stories!

Speakers

Emily Cissell

Librarian, Thornburg Middle School

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Liberty AB

Instruction Literature Technology

AASL Inquire, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience All Levels

3:00pm EST

Transform Learning Through Creativity with Adobe Express

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Piedmont C

Unleash student creativity in your library. Explore Adobe Express for Education, a free design platform for educators and students. Craft graphics, videows, presentations, and more. Discover cutting-edge AI tools and ways to integrate Adobe Express into your teaching. Boost engagement and learning. Leave with fresh ideas and the confidence to ignite your students' (and staff's) creative spark! BYOD

Speakers

Sherry Gick

Senior Director of Professional Development Programs, Five Star

Sherry is the Senior Director of Professional Development Programs for Five Star Technology Solutions. A former teacher-librarian and special education teacher with 20 years of experience with students K-12, she now enjoys working with educators across the nation on effective technology... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Piedmont C

Instruction Professional Growth Technology

AASL Curate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School, High School

3:00pm EST

Weaving Digital Citizenship into the Everyday Narrative

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Allegheny C

This will be an in-person presentation that will discuss the Model Policy concerning Internet Safety and the Digital Learning Integration Standards focusing mainly on the strand of Digital Citizenship including explanation, resources, and performance indicators. This is an important step towards adding in new and emerging technologies, which includes AI, Virtual Reality, and other rising educational technologies.

Speakers

Ryan Champney

Instructional Technology Specialist, Virginia Department of Education

Virginia Department of EducationInstructional Technology Specialist for the Office of Educational Technology and Classroom Innovation

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Allegheny C

Instruction Professional Growth Technology

AASL Inquire, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience All Levels

3:00pm EST

When AI and Copyright Collide, What's a Librarian to Do?

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Tidewater C

AI is scrambling copyright law. Teachers must distinguish "student papers" from ChatGPT. AI-generated art seeks copyright protection. School libraries risk liability for AI postings. ALA considers NFTs to tag non-book holdings. Bribes encourage editors to publish AI-generated papers. Become wise and well-informed on the transformation of intellectual property.

Speakers

Joyce Johnston

Adjunct Professor, George Mason University

Over my many years at Mason, I have developed three major focus areas: teaching advanced undergraduate research and composition to science and technical students in the English Department, becoming a specialist in digital intellectual property and studying changes in online civility... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Tidewater C

Professional Growth Technology

AASL Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience All Levels