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

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Thursday, November 7
 

10:00am EST

Unlocking Student Voice Through Poetry and Play
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Poetry can feel intimidating to students, yet it's the perfect medium to express their feelings. The key is getting over the fear of the blank page. Hear about how we've used found poetry and other text manipulatives in a workshop setting to get students writing, and loving, poetry.
Speakers
avatar for Jeannine Everett

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 →
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Allegheny AB

10:00am EST

Reading Makes Cents: Featuring STEM Focused Library Lessons
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Reading Makes Cents is a K-8 financial literacy program sponsored by VA529 and the Virginia Council on Economic Education that provides free books and student recognition. New titles include “Water Day”, “Pa, Me, and Our Sidewalk Pantry”, and “The Fabulous Fannie Farmer.” Featuring lesson plans, an annotated bibliography, and door prizes.
Speakers
avatar for Lynne Stover

Lynne Stover

Teacher Consultant, JMU Center for Economic Education
Lynne Farrell Stover is currently a Teacher Consultant at the James Madison University Center for Economic Education.  Prior to this, she spent thirty-three years in public education where she enjoyed various teaching assignments including classroom teacher, gifted education specialist... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Piedmont C

10:00am EST

Passive Programming = Massive Engagement
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
This interactive session is designed to inspire and equip school librarians with innovative ideas to foster student engagement within the library space. We’ll aim to showcase a variety of activities that can be seamlessly integrated into the school library, creating an inviting and stimulating environment for students. You will leave this session with templates to make many of these programs unique to your library space, and activities that will encourage participation amongst even the most reluctant readers. BYOD
Speakers
avatar for Mary Sonifrank

Mary Sonifrank

Librarian, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School
This is my twenty-sixth year of teaching and my tenth year as a middle school librarian. Before becoming a librarian I was a special education teacher for seventeen years. I love inspiring the love of reading and making students feel accepted in a safe place. I am passionate about... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Piedmont A

11:00am EST

Science Review Rotation Stations
Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST
Learn how two librarians, one department head, three science teachers and an instructional aide worked together to review and remediate over 300 students before each unit test and the SOL. The focus will be on the review stations created by the librarians, and participants will win prizes!

Speakers
avatar for Angela Smith

Angela Smith

Librarian, HCPS
avatar for Adrienne Coffey

Adrienne Coffey

Librarian, HCPS
Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST
Piedmont A

12:00pm EST

100 (or more) NEW Books for Middle and High School Readers!
Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
This session will be full of booktalks for MG and YA literature to be added to your middle and HS libraries. All books discussed have been published within the last year, and personally read by the presenters, so come hear about some great new and upcoming titles! Favorites will be discussed and questions about any titles on the list are encouraged. We'll give you the lowdown - highlights and dirt!
Speakers
avatar for Jenny Ashby

Jenny Ashby

Librarian, Drew Middle School
When I was thinking about applying for my first library job my dad said "Any literate person can be a librarian!" and that seemed like good advice to me. I didn't know what I was getting into 32 years ago but now I know it's the best job in the school! I read a lot, take a lot of... Read More →
avatar for Janice Raspen

Janice Raspen

Acquisitions Librarian, Chesterfield County Public Schools
I love books and reading and libraries. Looking forward to sharing some thoughts about MG and YA books with you.
Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Colony ABC

12:00pm EST

How Can Your Librarian Help You
Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
In this fast-paced session, we will discuss specific ways that librarians can help teachers and students with curriculum resources (Ex. Resource Lists, Websites, Activity ideas), and will demonstrate how a teacher and a librarian collaborate to develop lessons. Finally, we will have designated Q&A time with time to discuss how this can look different or be modified for all libraries. BYOD
Speakers
avatar for Jen Smith

Jen Smith

Teacher, William Monroe High School
I dabbled in law and school administration before making my way to a classroom.  I have now been teaching at William Monroe High School for around 20 years.  Over that time, I have taught a variety of social science courses and levels of said classes from small group special education... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Tidewater AB

12:00pm EST

Creating Collaboration
Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Today’s school libraries are for more than just English classes. But how to get those other departments into your library? Collaboration! By communicating with all departments and collaborating on curriculum-based lessons, you will see your library grow to be the heart and hub of your school. (BYOD)
Speakers
RS

Rebecca Sharpley

Librarian, Louisa County Public Schools
Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Allegheny C

1:00pm EST

Diverse Literature: VA READS in the Library
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Come explore VA READS. Learn about our diverse picture books while we share activity suggestions and provide recommended book pairings. You will walk away ready to share these books with your K-6 students.

Speakers
avatar for Ami Schroder

Ami Schroder

Librarian, Fairfax County Public Schools
In addition to being a school librarian, I am the co-founder of VA READS and love to talk about diverse books for all ages!#VAREADSTwitter: @anilawc Insta: schroderrific
avatar for Amy Hurley

Amy Hurley

Librarian, Fairfax County Public Schools
I have been a librarian in Fairfax County for ten years. I am currently the chair of the VA READS picture book committee. Insta: librarylitlady
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Piedmont B

1:00pm EST

Achievement Unlocked: Cracking the Code to Collaboration
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
In this session, we will discuss the challenges to establishing and maintaining a collaborative relationship between teachers and school librarians. It wouldn't be much of a session if we didn't offer solutions for those challenges, so we'll do that, too. We've got two librarians, a teacher, and a bunch of ideas. Join us in cracking the code to collaboration!
Speakers
avatar for Khris Hutson

Khris Hutson

Library Media Specialist, Alexandria City Public Schools
I am a library media specialist at Francis C. Hammond Middle School in Alexandria, VA.  I was fortunate enough to trade one best job in the world (middle school ELA teacher) for this best job in the world.  My areas of focus include shenanigans and attracting new and reluctant readers... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Allegheny C

1:00pm EST

Championing Computer Science in the Library: Practical Integration Strategies
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
As the demand for computer science (CS) skills grows, integrating CS into core content areas becomes increasingly essential. This session will provide practical strategies, tools, and lessons for school librarians to support CS integration into their programs, and how to incorporate computational thinking, coding, and interactive storytelling. The session will include hands-on activities with platforms like Scratch and Twine, lesson plans, learning resources, and collaborative discussions.
Speakers
avatar for Tiffany Cobbs

Tiffany Cobbs

Facilitator, CodeVA
Tiffany Cobbs has served as an educator since 2010 and has a passion for computer science, digital citizenship, and STEM. Currently, she is a Learning Designer for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), creating and facilitating professional learning opportunities for educators... Read More →

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Allegheny AB

1:00pm EST

Adventures in AI
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Let's talk about our adventures with AI for library planning and instruction! This session will present lessons learned with using AI over the past school year, highlight different types of AI tools for planning and instruction and discuss ways to support student learning about and with AI.
Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Colony ABC

2:30pm EST

Dynamic Diverse Books for Your Library
Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST
Step into the world of diverse books with the founders of VA READS! Join us and walk away with a wish list of over 75 book titles! We will share all the amazing diverse middle grade (upper elementary and middle school) titles we read over the past year. We'll share our faves as well as those that miss the mark.
Speakers
avatar for Ami Schroder

Ami Schroder

Librarian, Fairfax County Public Schools
In addition to being a school librarian, I am the co-founder of VA READS and love to talk about diverse books for all ages!#VAREADSTwitter: @anilawc Insta: schroderrific
avatar for Katie Bruechert

Katie Bruechert

Middle School Librarian, Fairfax County Public Schools-Thoreau Middle
I have twenty-three years of experience as an educator, including twelve years as an elementary school librarian. Currently, I'm in my second year as a middle school librarian. I've served on the 2024 John Newbery Award Committee, co-founded VAREADS, and I'm currently the VAREADS... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST
Tidewater CD

2:30pm EST

Station Rotation for Social Studies 7
Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST
In collaboration with our 7th grade social studies (U.S. history after 1865) teachers, we have had great success designing learning stations that support the teachers' summative assessments. Our teachers create the essential question and a writing task, and we design posters and puzzles so that students synthesize information and complete a notescatcher. Session participants will leave with activities that cover immigration in the early 1900s and life in the 1920s and 1930s.
Speakers
avatar for Catherine Taylor

Catherine Taylor

Library Media Specialist, Plaza Middle School
I have been a Library Media Specialist for five years at an IB MYP school. We would like to share our experiences and develop a network of IB librarians around the state.
KS

Katie Staples

Library Media Specialist, Plaza Middle School
I am one of Plaza Middle School's Library Media Specialists. I came to middle school after spending 17 years at Kellam High School as first as an English teacher. I went back to school to get my Masters in secondary education where I took the path to become a librarian and have loved... Read More →
Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST
Piedmont A

2:30pm EST

Everyone Belongs @ Our Book Club (Teachers Too!)
Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST
Our book clubs (both student & staff clubs) have been continuously improving over the last decade+ and we would love to share our strategies with you! Please come to the session to learn about forming a student and/or staff book club AND get new ideas to increase participation, acquire books and engage your readers!
Speakers
avatar for Kristi Patton

Kristi Patton

LMS
Technology loving Library Media Specialist, enthusiastic learner
Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST
Piedmont C
 
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