Conference 2010
Keepers of the Light:
Illuminating Twenty-First Century Literacies in the English Classroom
96th Anniversary
41st Annual Conference Year
2010 Conference Speakers
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Saturday General Session Kick-Off Speaker, Dr. William Bosher
Dr. Bosher is a Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Education and the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Institute. In addition, he recently served three years as Dean of the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has been a teacher, principal, state director, local superintendent of two districts and the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Saturday Luncheon Speaker, Dr. Christopher Howard
Dr. Howard, 24th President of Hampden-Sydney College, is one of the youngest college presidents in the United States. He is a distinguished graduate of the US Air Force Academy where he earned a BS in political science and received the Campbell Award. A Rhodes Scholar, he earned his Doctorate in politics at Oxford University and an MBA with distinction from the Harvard Business School. |
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Saturday Banquet Speaker, NCTE Past-President Kylene Beers
Kylene Beers is Senior Reading Advisor to Secondary Schools for Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, Columbia University. A former middle school teacher, Kylene has turned her commitment to adolescent literacy into the major focus of her research, writing, speaking, and teaching. She is the author of many books and the former editor of NCTE's Voices from the Middle. |
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Sunday Brunch Speaker, Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater is the best-selling author of Shiver, Linger, Lament, and Ballad.
:"All of my life decisions have been based around my inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which I've tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists, musicians, and artists..." |
More information about the speakers
Beachside Biathlon
Beach Walk and Poetry Writing Contest
At the Annual VATE Fall Conference
Wyndham Oceanfront Hotel Virginia Beach
Friday, October 22nd, 4:00 p.m.
Prizes include:
A night’s stay at the Wyndham, free VATE memberships, and Virginia Wines
Winning Poems will be showcased at the Opening Social)
Entry Fee: A donation of $10 to help defray the costs of
VATE student awards and scholarships
The Beachside Biathlon is a non-competitive beach walk and/or jog and poetry writing contest that is a fundraiser to help defray the costs of VATE's student scholarships. Entry fee is a ten dollar donation, and all fees collected will be used for student scholarships and awards. The Biathlon is a "fun" event with some "serious" prizes including: A night’s stay at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel, free VATE memberships,and bottles of Virginia Wines.
The Biathlon will consist of a writing contest in which participants will receive a topic, a formula (True poets will cringe at that!), and twenty to thirty minutes to complete a poem. Then participants will engage in a leisurely stroll on the beach, but the truly athletic may run or jog if they wish. While participants are on the walk, the poems will be judged, and the winners will be announced at the conclusion of the walk.
Winners will be encouraged to share their poems during the open mic time at the Opening Social, which will follow soon after the Biathlon.
Affiliate News
$300 for New Affiliates
VATE now offers $300 to new affiliates for start-up costs—new student affiliates may receive $200. To qualify, new affiliates should have
- a roster of 20 or more members
- three representatives who will attend the fall conference
- participants in the Affiliate Showcase at the fall conference
- a submission to the Needle's Eye
If you are interested in starting an affiliate or in receiving the start-up funds, email Roark Mulligan or 757-810-2581.
SLATE Resources Available to You
Anti-Censorship Center
September 2009
Building Level Membership
The Virginia Association of Teachers of English is committed to enhancing the quality of the teaching of English and language arts in the Commonwealth. VATE encourages building principals and lead teachers to “join our team” by purchasing a School Level Membership for your English/Language Arts faculty and/or other departments dedicated to improving student literacy.
Corporate Partners
The Virginia Association of Teachers of English appreciates the financial support of businesses and organizations that share VATE’s commitment to enhancing the quality of the teaching of English and language arts in the Commonwealth. Anyone who signs on as a corporate member prior to September 1 will be eligible for ad placement and reduced vendor fees for the Fall Conference and all other corporate membership benefits.
