STAC To Host 20th Annual Rockland Literacy Extravaganza Professional Conference

(Sparkill, NY—October 14, 2015) – St. Thomas Aquinas College will host the 20th annual Rockland Literacy Extravaganza Professional Conference for teachers, administrators, teacher educators, support personnel, pre-service teachers, and all others interested in education on Saturday, October 24, 2015, 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in the College’s Romano Student Alumni Center in Sparkill, announces Dr. Michael Shaw, professor of Education at the College. The event provides professional development that focuses on real life literacy, including reaching and teaching all students across the curriculum: Pre-K through 12th grade.

This year’s conference will focus all presentations on opening a world of positive possibilities for real life literacy. There will be more than 20 professional workshops (PreK–12) by exemplary educators, a publisher’s display, free raffles for professional books and classroom resources, free continental breakfast, and certificates of attendance for professional requirements.

The major keynote speakers include nationally recognized giants in literacy education, Laura Robb and Ruth Culham courtesy of Scholastic, Inc. Laura Robb is a literacy coach, educational consultant, teacher, and author of more than 25 books for teachers on elementary and middle school reading, unlocking complex texts, close reading and more. Ruth Culham, president of The Culham Writing Company and creator of 6 + 1 Writing Traits, has authored over 40 books and resources illuminating both writing and the reading-writing connection.

“Our Literacy Extravaganza highlights research-based best practices for teaching, reading and writing across the curriculum, Pre-K through 12, aligned with Common Core Standards. Our mantra is Learn on Saturday what you can begin to teach on Monday,” says Dr. Shaw.

The event is open to the public. The registration fee is $40 in advance or $25 for full-time students (by October 22) and $50 at the door or $30 for full-time students. Educators who pre-register with a friend are eligible for a $25 voucher redeemable at one vendor of choice the day of the event. Registration now includes a complimentary book from Scholastic that focuses on inspiring reading and writing and complimentary membership in ZING from Schoolwide, Inc., a new online reading resource that provides free books to teachers and students. There is also a complimentary continental breakfast and a free raffle. Register online at http://www.rockteach.org/ or contact Dr. Shaw at mshaw@stac.edu or Deborah Studnitzer or dstudnitzer@optonline.net for mail-in registration form or more information. This event is co-sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas College, Rockland Teachers’ Center, Rockland Reading Council, Scholastic, and PACE University.

St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts and sciences college located on 60 acres in Rockland County, NY which provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College’s 2,800 full and part time students can choose from more than 100 different majors, minors, specializations, and dual degree programs across three Schools: Arts & Sciences, Business, and Education. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, by Colleges of Distinction in both its New York and Catholic editions, by Affordable Colleges Online as a top College in New York for Return on Investment, and is included as a Military Friendly School®. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education(NCATE); and its School of Business is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.