KATE Board Meeting Highlights: Advancing English Ed. in Kansas

The Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE) convened its executive board meeting on November 2nd, 2024, discussing critical initiatives and strategic planning for English language arts education in the state.

Click on the 'Read More' link to check out a summary of topics and developments discussed!

Conference Insights and Financial Overview

The fall conference saw significant engagement, with 124 members attending and total registrations of $17,363.97. While the conference resulted in a slight financial loss of approximately $3,000, the board views this as a manageable investment in professional development.

Key Developments:

Literacy and Professional Growth

• Kansas Board of Regents announced a landmark literacy initiative: by 2028, all elementary teachers must obtain a literacy licensure seal.
• Kansas English, KATE's online journal, continues to excel, achieving a 62% acceptance rate and being invited to federal education indexing.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
The board is committed to enhancing DEI visibility, with proposed strategies including:

• Developing a comprehensive DEI website statement
• Exploring a potential teacher award recognizing DEI contributions

Future Programming Considerations

With the traditional KATE Camp potentially being reimagined, the board discussed innovative alternatives such as:

• Grant programming
• Creative writing workshops
• Virtual town halls
• Library and bookstore crawls
• Biennial KATE Camp with virtual options

Leadership and Transitions

New board positions were filled, including:

• Stephanie Robinson: Voices of Kansas Editor
• Amanda K. Stinemetz: ELL Liaison
• Rebecca Pflughoeft: Secretary & Interim VP

Looking Ahead

KATE continues to prioritize supporting English language arts educators through professional development, resources, and community building. The board's strategic discussions reflect a commitment to adapting to evolving educational landscapes while maintaining a strong focus on literacy and teacher empowerment.

Stay connected with KATE for more updates and professional learning opportunities!