Continuing Our Search for Texts that Change Readers: A Year-Long Study Group of New and Noteworthy Fiction (2025-2026)
ALBANY LOCATION
Are you interested in expanding your literacy circle and connecting with educators outside of your school community? The Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC) is a professional, nonprofit organization for educators in the Capital Region, dedicated to improving literacy instruction and opportunities for all children and adults. ACARC is an affiliate of the International Literacy Association & the New York State Reading Association. Membership in ACARC includes membership in NYSRA. To become an ACARC member, go to the NYSRA website. To register, click on Memberships > Regional Directors and Local Councils > Albany City Area Reading Council. The cost is $30. For further information, please contact us at acarcny@gmail.com.
We need our colleagues to help solve the many problems that come to bear upon our libraries & classrooms. Many of the students we teach depend primarily upon educators & the school system for nourishment - physical, cognitive, emotional, intellectual, and literary. There is nothing more rewarding than to see a student become an avid reader. It is a daunting task to keep up with new books and to continue helping students find THE book - that one particular book that changes the student from reluctant to read to willing to read, and from willing to read to wanting to read. The difficulty of finding that "right” book is that the "right” is a moment in time - temporary and individual. Teachers must have a huge repertoire of book knowledge to be able to match readers with books that are potentially game changes for the reader. This program is open to all educators. 18 hours in-person, 12 hours preparation required outside synchronous meeting times. A virtual option will be available each meeting.
NOTE: A booklist will be provided on our first meeting, books are available at school and public libraries.
FORMAT: In-person meetings, with asynchronous preparation outside of meetings
DATES: Wednesdays, 10/8/25, 11/12/25, 12/17/25, 1/14/26, 2/25/26, 3/25/26, 4/29/26, 5/27/26, 6/10/26
TIME: 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Lisha Kill Middle School, 68 Waterman Ave., Albany, NY 12205
FACILITATOR: Sherry Guice, Ed.D., GCRTC Policy Board Co-Chair, South Colonie CSD
GCRTC CONTACT: Erica Boms Egdemir, GCRTC Teacher Leadership Coach for the Humanities
FEE: Course fee: $100; Reading Council enrollment fee: $30 (paid online); The applicable course fee and Reading Council enrollment fee will be due at the first meeting date.
CTLE HOURS: 30 (for completion of all sessions)
REGISTRATION: https://tinyurl.com/ms4k2m2v