Conference Theme 2025

For this event, our theme is “Fostering Collaborations,” which could focus on collaborations between teachers, students, and technologies. How do different collaborations and partnerships come into play in the teaching of English and Writing in different Educational contexts? Proposals could include different collaborative practices such as preparation of lesson plans, activities in the classroom with and between students, and partnerships and projects that enhance and support learning. 

Some questions that proposals might address include:

• What are some successful collaborations between teachers at the high school, middle school, and college level? How have teachers and students collaborated with local community organizations or other local stakeholders?

• How can collaborations improve the teaching of writing?

• How does collaboration support teachers in developing effective curricula and/or addressing diverse student needs?

• How do writing teachers from different levels manage and create peer collaboration to teach writing? How does collaboration in the classroom help with student engagement? 

• How do writing teachers from different levels use technology to foster collaboration between students?

• How can collaboration practices support diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds in the classroom?

Presentation Formats:

• Panel Discussions: 20-30 minute sharing a teaching practice. Presenters will be expected to discuss/describe a teaching strategy or practice.

• Teaching Workshop: 60 minute sharing a teaching strategy with examples of student work. Presenters will lead a hands-on workshop, sharing an example of a teaching strategy that may include a demonstration, handout, and student work.

• Roundtable Discussions: 60 min, 3-4 presenters discussing a specific teaching practice. Presenters will be expected to discuss a teaching strategy or practice from different perspectives. 

Selection Criteria: Presentation proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Purpose: How does the presentation/workshop contribute to discussions and improvement of teaching writing practices?

• Relevance: Does this presentation apply to different class formats as well as to a diverse range of students' needs? 

• Equity and Inclusion: How does this presentation support teachers and/or students from different backgrounds and underrepresented communities? 

• Thematic Alignment: How does this proposal incorporate one or more of the elements of the theme (Fostering Student Growth: Supporting Students, Together)?