The Missouri Reader Vol. 42, Issue 1 | Page 5

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Greetings, my fellow literacy lovers!

I don’t know about you, but I feel renewed, refreshed, and rejuvenated about this coming school year. This can possibly be attributed to the fact that I just finished my first year of my two-year grad school program. Currently I am enrolled and working on achieving my master’s degree in literacy. I can say that I feel more confident when it comes to teaching my ELA materials.

My name is Steve Baybo and I am your 2018-2019 Chair for the Missouri Literacy Association (MLA). Our mission is to empower educators, inspire students, and encourage leaders with the resources they need to make literacy accessible for all. We are working toward this goal in Missouri as we work through the transition requirements of the International Literacy Association. We currently are working on rebranding and will have these new materials and information available as soon as the process is completed. Look for our newlogo in this issue of The Missouri Reader. If you have any questions please reach out to your local council for direction. There are still a lot of questions that we need answers to as well. So, please be patient with us as we continue to work on this.

I would also like to thank those of you that were able to go to the Annual International Literacy Association Conference in Austin, Texas. It was by far one of the best conferences I have ever attended. There was so much to see and do in Austin and at the conference as well. Despite it being one of their highest heat records for the week, I had a really great time. There were so many amazing speakers, authors, vendors, and presenters that there was something there for everyone.

As Missouri starts to mandate dyslexia assessment, some of your schools already have something in place or perhaps you are just starting this year. The St. Louis Suburban Council hosted their first meeting in October 4th with presenters from Dyslexia St. Louis--founders Mary Kaeser-Miller and Sarah Bartley. The speakers presented on one of Missouri’s Hot Topics this year. Check out your local chapter of MLA for other top-quality professional development opportunities.

Sincerely,

Steve Baybo

Chair of the Missouri Literacy Association

November, 2018

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President's Message

Ways to Connect

https://www.facebook.com/mscira - Look for information about upcoming events, new book releases, and links to interesting literacy information

Please join Dr. Bommarito as he talks about articles in this issue on twitter! @doctorsam7 #MoRdr

Visit our website

http://www.missouri reading.org/

Find a local council and join!

http://www.missourireading.org/membership/zones

Dates to Remember

Write to Learn Conference

International Literacy Association Conference

Dates to Remember

(Click on each date's link to get more information about that event)

Early Learning Conference - St. Louis, November 9-10, 2018

MO Write to Learn Conference

Feb. 28th - March 2, 2019

ILA Conference, New Orleans,

October 10–13, 2019

Editors' Expressions

Steve Baybo