About the 2025 Conference

Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change: Navigating Change in Turbulent Times

In today’s ever-changing world, English Language Arts (ELA) educators play a vital role in helping students build resilience, creativity, and purpose. As classrooms continue to evolve with new technologies, cultural shifts, and educational challenges, ELA remains at the heart of authentic learning, inspiring change, and amplifying student voices.

This year’s conference brings together educators, researchers, and literacy leaders from PreK-12 and higher education to explore ways we can:
  • Reimagine classroom spaces where every student’s voice is heard, valued, and celebrated.
  • Challenge traditional approaches and foster inclusive literacy practices that empower all learners.
  • Embrace evolving technologies—such as podcasting, YouTube, and self-publishing—to spark creativity and engagement.
  • Champion equity and representation, addressing the challenges of muted voices and advocating for diversity.
  • Empower students to use language and literacy as tools for self-advocacy and meaningful social change.
Let’s come together to ignite conversations that transform classrooms and communities, drive progress, and inspire hope.

2025 Conference Program

Highlights from Past Conferences

2025 Keynote Speakers

FRIDAY OPENING GENERAL SESSION: Dr. Latasha N. Eley Kelly

Dr. Tasha is The Millennial Black Professor®: educator, wellbeing advocate, and amplifier of underrepresented stories. Founder of TMBP Media (a nonprofit disrupting mainstream narratives), and owner of Left on Read (currently Kansas' only Black-owned bookstore), Dr. Tasha specializes in cultivating perspective, empowering community, and supporting marginalized students, professionals, and entrepreneurs. She teaches English Literature and African American Studies courses at the University of Maryland Global Campus and is a three-time first-generation college graduate with a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy, and Culture and expertise in higher education policy and leadership. A Virginia native, Dr. Tasha lives in Park City, KS, with her husband Corinthian Kelly.

FRIDAY LUNCHEON: Emily Kirkpatrick

Emily Kirkpatrick is the CEO and Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), KATE's parent organization. Kirkpatrick has dedicated her career to public service, civic engagement, and the creation of humanistic programs that advance literacy. She creates and sustains partnerships that span international philanthropists, national media, authors, and networks of teachers. Earlier in her career, she created Wonderopolis®, credited for inspiring a movement of wonder and inquiry that earned the acclaim as one of the 50 best websites in the world by Time Magazine.

She is active in the International Women's Forum and the American Council of Learned Societies and has served on the Public Policy Committee for the American Society for Association Executives, the visioning panel for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and as a board member of the Trust for Insuring Educators. She earned her MBA from Bellarmine University, her BA from Centre College, and a Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard's Kennedy School.

SATURDAY LUNCHEON: Colby Sharp

Colby Sharp is a husband and father of five. He teaches fifth grade at Parma Elementary. Colby is the co-founder of Nerdy Book Club. He co-hosts The Yarn podcast with Travis Jonker. Colby co-authored Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids with Donalyn Miller, and he is the editor of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection. A Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library written with Donalyn Miller, is his latest book.

CTE High School Students, Welcome at KATE!

Bring your CTE students who are interested in teaching to the fall conference for an opportunity to grow future educators!

Students will . . .
  • Participate in breakout sessions
  • Access materials from experts
  • Collaborate and network

For $25 flat fee, 2 days, meals included: Why not?

​MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY TEACHER

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I send pURCHASE ORDERS/oBTAIN iNVOICES FOR THE CONFERENCE?
DOES YOUR CONFERENCE OFFER CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT?
CE Credit will not be offered for the 2024 conference. PD certificates will be emailed to addresses provided with registration.

Past Fall Annual Conferences

2025 Conference Sponsors & Partners