May 16, 2025
Spring fling for literacy leaders inspires NC educators
On Saturday, March 3, 2025, the Department of Literacy Studies, English Education, and History Education hosted 40 participants at the Rooted in Reading: Spring Fling for Literacy Leaders professional development event. This inspiring gathering was made possible by the generosity of the late Felix and Margaret Blount Harvey and their daughters, Sunny Burrows and Leigh McNairy.
This event provided an invaluable opportunity for reading teachers to connect, share, and grow as a professional learning community. Participants engaged in networking with literacy leaders from across the state, discovered innovative literacy strategies to implement in their schools, and found inspiration in the keynote address by literacy expert Jen Jones, K-12 Literacy Specialist, ECU MAEd in Reading and Literacy Alum, and owner of Hello Literacy.
The event welcomed a diverse group of attendees, including area teachers, reading/literacy/curriculum specialists, district leaders, current and former ECU students, and ECU faculty. These educators shared a common goal: to deepen their understanding of literacy instruction and build meaningful professional connections.
The MAEd in Reading and Literacy Graduate Ambassadors played a crucial role in planning and facilitating the event. These dedicated educators, currently teaching across North Carolina while pursuing their master’s degrees in reading and literacy online, brought energy and expertise to the day’s programming.
The Spring Fling for Literacy Leaders provided:
- A keynote address by Jen Jones, K-12 Literacy Specialist, ECU MAEd in Reading and Literacy alum, and founder of Hello Literacy
- A panel discussion featuring literacy experts: Kristen Martin (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County), Tracee Moore (NC Public School Forum)l, Dr. Tanya Christ (ECU Spangler Distinguished Professor of Early Literacy), Jen Jones (Keynote Speaker), and Michelle Maher (Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools)
- Contintuing Education Credit for participants’ licensure renewal
- Two books for each participant to take home: How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido (picture book) and Finally Seen by Kelly Yang (chapter book)
Held at the Main Campus Student Center, the event was co-chaired by Dr. Christy Howard (professor in literacy education and graduate program coordinator), Dr. Elizabeth Swaggerty (professor and chair of Literacy, English, History, Elementary and Middle Grades Education), and Dr. Scott Glass (College of Education associate dean).
Overall, attendees expressed gratitude for the session, with many reporting renewed confidence in their literacy instruction practices. One participant remarked the event gave them “new ways to think about literacy instruction in the classroom.” Another participant shared how the literacy institutes always renew their spirit and love of literacy. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Jen Jones with several of them noting that her presentation broadened their perspectives on literacy instruction, and they looked forward to more events like this. It looks like they may get this opportunity again next year.
Howard reflected, “I always love the opportunity to come together in community with literacy educators. One participant shared with me that the event truly ‘filled her cup,’ which was our hope. Our goal was to invigorate educators, provide space for collaborative talk, and equip them with new ideas to bring back to their classrooms.”
Swaggerty shared, “The energy in the room was truly buzzing! It was inspiring to see reading educators from various parts of the state and diverse positions come together with a shared passion for literacy instruction, books, and advancing literacy education. The enthusiasm and collaboration in the space reinforced the power of professional learning communities.”
The next Margaret Blount Harvey Literacy Institute professional development session will take place in fall 2025.