Jolita Hylland Benson Education Lecture

Three Compliments: Ways to Feel Seen as an Invisible Student

Before she grew up and became a published author, Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly was an underperforming student who nearly failed English and graduated high school with a 1.7 GPA. When you’re quiet and make mediocre grades, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. In this lecture, Erin will share the three compliments from teachers that she remembers to this day, how those brief moments of praise influenced her writing life, and ways that teachers can change a young person’s life in the briefest of moments.

Erin Entrada Kelly is one of the most celebrated children’s authors writing today. She received the 2018 Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe, a 2021 Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, the 2017 APALA Award for The Land of Forgotten Girls, and the 2016 Golden Kite Honor Award for Blackbird Fly, among many other honors. She is also the author and illustrator of the Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey collection.

She is a New York Times bestseller whose work has been translated into several languages. Her fifth book, Lalani of the Distant Sea, was a finalist for the 2020 Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Fantasy and was named one of the best books of the year by the New York Public Library, The Horn Book, Booklist, BookPage, and others.

Before becoming a children’s author, Erin worked as a journalist and magazine editor. She received numerous awards for community service journalism, feature writing, and editing from the Louisiana Press Association and the Associated Press.

Erin has a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies and liberal arts from McNeese State University and an MFA from Rosemont College. She lives in Delaware. She teaches in the MFA programs at Hamline University and Rosemont College. She also teaches fiction with Gotham Writers Workshop.

These Three Words
Presented by Jason Reynolds

Jason Reynolds discussed the three words he keeps at the forefront of his mind when writing stories for young people. They serve as his compass to ensure the stories connect and feel like true representations of young life, leading to a more engaged reading.

Jason Reynolds is an American author who writes novels and poetry for young adult and middle-grade audiences, including Ghost, a National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature.

Born in Washington, DC and raised in neighboring Oxon Hill, Maryland, Reynolds found inspiration in rap to begin writing poetry at nine years old. He focused on poetry for approximately the next two decades, only reading a novel cover to cover for the first time at age 17.

His books have received numerous awards including but not limited to:  Coretta Scott King for Ghost (2016), Schneider Family Award (2017) for As Brave as You, Printz Honor and Newbery Honor (2017) for Long Way Down. His latest book, Look Both Ways, will be released October 2019.

Reynolds say, “Here’s what I know: I know there are a lot — A LOT — of young people who hate reading. I know that many of these book haters are boys. I know that many of these book-hating boys, don’t actually hate books, they hate boredom. If you are reading this, and you happen to be one of these boys, first of all, you’re reading this so my master plan is already working (muahahahahahaha) and second of all, know that I feel you. I REALLY do. Because even though I’m a writer, I hate reading boring books too.”

My Journey From Reluctant Reader to Author
Presented by Matt de la Peña

Matt de la Peña’s presentation centers around his journey from reluctant reader to published author, and the transformative power of literature. “I didn’t fall for books until I was in college — I got there on a basketball scholarship — but once I did, it changed my life,” says de la Peña.

Matt de la Peña is the New York Times Bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of six young adult novels (including Mexican WhiteBoy, We Were Here, and The Living) and four picture books (including Love and Last Stop on Market Street). In 2016 he was awarded the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award. Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific where he attended school on a full basketball scholarship. de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn NY. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.

Unlocking Your Students’ Superpower
Presented by Suzie Boss

A Learning Revolution Goes to School: The Maker Movement
Presented by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager

Daniel Willingham earned his B.A. from Duke University in 1983 and his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Harvard University in 1990. He is currently Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia. Dr. Willingham’s current research concerns the application of cognitive psychology to K-16 education. Dr. Willingham is the author of Why Don’t Students Like School?, When Can You Trust the Experts?, and Raising Kids Who Read (forthcoming).

Six Edges of Innovation in Education
Presented by Dr. Milton Chen

Chen shared his thoughts and examples of these six edges including: The Thinking Edge, The Curriculum Edge, The Technology Edge, The Edge of Time and Place, The Co-Teaching Edge, and The Youth Edge.

Six Edges of Innovation in Education

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Dr. David Wicks

Catching Up or Leading the Way
Presented by Dr. Yong Zhao

Zhao, addressed issues of globalization and technology in a dramatically changing world. He addressed questions including:

• Is education reform in the U.S. headed down the right path?
• Are schools emphasizing the knowledge and skills that students need in a global society?
• Are education systems in China and other countries really as superior as some people claim?

Moving the Needle on Adolescent Literacy
Presented by Dr. Don Deshler