This post was written by NCTE member Callie Hammond, reprinted with permission from The CLA Blog.

Although I have been an English educator for nine years, the 2023 NCTE Convention in Columbus was my first time attending. I can honestly say that it exceeded all of my wildest expectations! I am grateful to the Children’s Literature Assembly for their support through the Vivian Yenika-Agbaw Student Conference Grant, which allowed me to attend.
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Walking into the Exhibition Hall where the various vendors and publishers were set up was like English teacher heaven, and although I picked up many books, perhaps the best part was just walking through the hall and being part of the excitement.

Even better than the Exhibition Hall, though, were the various sessions that I was able to attend. I attended sessions ranging from creating new programs for preservice English teachers, to utilizing YA and picturebooks as supplements and complements to the traditional canon, to a panel discussion on advocating for Jewish literature, and even had the opportunity to meet Jacqueline Woodson after her keynote address. I was also able to present some of my own research in a round table with my colleague, Amber Moore, about utilizing classroom texts as a way to bear witness to tragedy.

The week ended on a fabulous note with the CLA’s annual breakfast where Traci Sorell, whose book Indian No More was my true introduction to Native American literature, inspired everyone with her recent work, Mascot, about a group of students who stand up against a racist mascot.

I was left inspired by NCTE and CLA and am looking forward to attending again!