NEWARK, Del., Nov. 17, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Reading Association announced today that it is currently accepting nominations for its annual Celebrated Teacher of the Year award. The award celebrates teaching by honoring one nominated teacher who has positively influenced his or her students and community.
All are encouraged to visit the International Reading Association's Celebrated Teacher of the Year award page and share an educator's inspirational story by submitting a nomination. Nominations will be accepted through December 31, 2011. Once nominations have been collected, the educators' stories will be shared on the International Reading Association's website, www.reading.org, allowing visitors to vote for the teacher they find most encouraging. Voting opens in mid-January and will close February 28, 2012.
"Celebrating teachers and paying tribute to effective literacy instruction in a changing world is one important and positive step toward addressing some of our nation's and the world's literacy challenges," said Victoria Risko, president of the International Reading Association. "The Celebrated Teacher of the Year award provides a much needed way for us to show our appreciation for teachers and all that they do."
The winner of the award will be announced in March 2012 and recognized at the Association's annual convention along with the other nominated teachers. The International Reading Association's 57th Annual Convention will be held April 29 - May 2, 2012 in Chicago. The convention is the largest conference dedicated to reading and literacy in the nation. Over 10,000 teachers, administrators, thought leaders, advocates and media professionals attended last year's convention.
Honoring teachers is just one way the International Reading Association supports its more than 70,000 members. The Association also provides extensive professional development support along with access to teaching resources and advocacy efforts in Washington D.C. and beyond. In celebration of International Literacy Day in September, the Association held an instructional symposium at its office in the Hall of States in Washington, D.C., to promote effective literacy instruction. The event, which featured the viewpoints of leaders in the field of literacy, was designed to help educators and policymakers understand the qualities of an effective teacher and the best practices in reaching all students.
About the International Reading Association
The International Reading Association is the world's foremost expert on literacy. A non-profit global network dedicated to advancing the quality of literacy instruction and research worldwide, the Association supports reading teachers and other literacy professionals by providing professional development resources, advocating for policy and practices that benefit all teachers and students, and conducting research that promotes informed decision-making about literacy practice in the classroom. With more than 70,000 members worldwide, the International Reading Association is one of the world's largest educational membership organizations. The Association's many publications and peer-reviewed journals, including The Reading Teacher, provide coverage of research-based practices for the classroom and ideas and reflections on literacy from around the world. Additional information is available at www.reading.org.