This post was written by Debby Briscoe, Virginia Beach Reading Council President Elect

Almost 100 total teachers and staff members took part in a fantastic series of professional development sessions called “Beat the Winter Blues” based on literacy topics introduced at the VBRC Annual Fall Conference. Back by popular demand was Beth Estill who shared expertise in the area of “Close Reading and Text Dependent Questions.” She addressed a packed library-chairs had to be brought in from other rooms to accommodate all of the Virginia Beach Reading Council members who chose to attend her session at Malibu Elementary School.

Snow did not deter our members who wanted to continue learning about or be introduced to “Altered Books” or “APPtitude with IPads”. Many came to the sessions to learn about ways to reuse and repurpose worn- out and well-used favorite books.

Marie Booz helped our VBRC members become more comfortable and adept with technology through the use of IPads. Our 2013 Reading Teacher of the Year, Tammie Huff,  presented her very popular “Secret Recipes” for helping struggling readers become motivated and excited about learning.