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.

10:00am EST

Passive Programming = Massive Engagement

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

Piedmont A

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

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 →

Jessica Kitta

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Piedmont A

Programming

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

1:00pm EST

Championing Computer Science in the Library: Practical Integration Strategies

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

Allegheny AB

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

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

Instruction Programming Technology

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

2:30pm EST

Dynamic Diverse Books for Your Library

Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST

Tidewater CD

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

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

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

Collection Development Literature

AASL Include, Curate, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate Grades, Middle School