The Missouri Reader Vol. 38, Issue 2 | Page 5

Well, hold on to your hats because very soon you could make some IRA memories of your own and make those dreams come true! Next year, we have even more reason to look forward to the IRA Conference, and as of this issue's publication date, they haven't even announced the line-up of talent! We are celebrating BIG TIME because the annual conference is coming to Missouri! Yes, you read that correctly! IRA is bringing the rock stars, free books, fabulous Scholastic totes, and learning opportunities to St. Louis next July, and we can hardly wait. It will be so much easier to load the back half of the SUV with all the wonderful resources and books we receive at the conference rather than paying for the extra luggage on the plane or shipping it home via UPS! The theme for IRA 2015 is "Transforming Lives Through Literacy."

As we reflect on our trip and sort throught all of the notes and resources we brought back to share with our teacher candidates, we are truly inspired to think of how the literacy ideas we promote today will be the same ones that our students will promote tomorrow in their future classrooms. Each teaching strategy, reading and writing application, book title, and author recommendation we plant into their minds and hearts will take root, flourish, and grow when shared with students---transforming lives through literacy learning in their own classrooms. We love being part of that transformation! What are YOU doing to transform lives through literacy in YOUR classrooms? Write us and let us know. And make plans to attend the IRA 2015 Conference next summer in St. Louis to make some memories of your own!

Julie Bryant and Jennifer Fox

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