Minutes of the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English Language Arts

Executive Board Meeting

Thursday, April 25, 2002

Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, WI

Members Present: Lynn Aprill, Bonnie Frechette, Trista Dauk, Marti Matyska, Mary Sue Bethke, Mary Graber, Ellen Last, Chris Van Hoof, Carol Conway-Gerhardt, Tom Scott, Bill Schang, Eric Dimmitt, Penny Parsons, Jackie Martindale, Scott Oates, Ruth Wood, Debbie Kinder. Guest-Samantha Cauflin

I. Call to Order

President Carol C.-G. called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

II. Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Marti M. to suspend the reading of the minutes. Bonnie F. seconded, and the motion carried.

III. Treasurer’s Report

Scott O. presented a budget summary for 2001-2002 and a proposal for the 2002-2003 budget. (See attached proposal and summary for specific details.) Ruth W. motioned to approve the report: Jackie M. seconded the motion. The motion carried.

IV. Committee Reports

A. Membership

1. There is concern about the decline in membership; however, it was noted that this is a national trend.

2. The time frame for renewal of membership was clarified, and Scott O. explained that membership is officially from fall to fall, but when members renew at convention in the spring, their membership is good throughout the next school year.

3. Trista D. suggested designing a detachable receipt that could be filled out and kept by members so they would have a record of when they renewed. The idea was well received, and Trista D. will be creating a general design and sharing it with Scott O.

4. There is concern that Scott O. and Judy Knoll are being overwhelmed with membership and publication responsibilities. The possibility of hiring a part-time director was discussed, but no action was taken.

B. Publicity

1. Marti M. reported that the convention publicity was sent out at the end of Feb., which was a little later than projected, but she felt it still left enough time for people to make plans.

2. As of this meeting, over 200 people have registered for the convention.

C. Publications

1. There is still some confusion over who the Update editor is. A few people have expressed an interest in the job, but due to communication difficulties,a spring issue of the Update did not go out.

2. The spring issue of the English Journal did arrive, and Ruth W. was praised and thanked for her work. The topic for the next issue will be “Teaching to Standards.” If anyone, has any ideas, they are encouraged to contact Ruth W.

3. Carol C.-G. reported that John Z. has been working on the web page. Hopefully the inability to download certain forms has been corrected.

4. In an effort to move forward with Wisconsin authors video,Bill S. will be meeting with Mary Sue B. and Marti M. to discuss the project.

D. Professional Issues

There was nothing to report.

E. Censorship/Intellectual Freedom

Emily Timus, a teacher at Nicolet High School, represented WCTELA when she attended the Intellectual Freedom Institute.

F. Conference on English Leadership (CEL)

Tom S. briefly explained the CoLearn Initiative. It is a computer based staff development project, and there is a fee per grade level (elementary school/middle school / high school) of $1500.

G. Wisconsin Conference for English Education (WCEE)

There was nothing to report.

H. District Director Liaison (Reported by Bonnie F.)

1. Districts 7 and 8 created a display of oral language activities with pictures and handouts for the registration area. In addition, they created literary trivia cards for the Friday and Saturday luncheon tables.

2. Ellen L. presented the new curriculum guide to student teachers and veteran teachers at St. Norbert's

3. In a joint effort, district 3 and Debbie K. arranged for Ellen L. to give a presentation at UW-Platteville where college students and veteran teachers mingled. Those involved really liked the model of inviting teachers in the field to come into the college classroom.

4. A variety of dinner and book club meetings were held.

5. Bonnie F. suggested that a summer project might include writing/rewriting a District Director’s Handbook.

I. Archivist

Currently we do not have an archivist, but Carol C.-G. will ask Edythe L.

V. Liaison Reports

A. DPI Liaison Report

1. Ellen L. has happily attended three or four district meetings to present the new guide.

2. The alignment process for the Praxis tests, which is designed as an exit exam for teachers in training, is continuing. (See the attached green handout for details)

3. The new Language Arts Guide is complete and in the process of being implemented. It is already in its second printing, and it has received glowing reviews.

4. The alignment requirements of the US Department of Education for the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations may require local assessment of the oral language standards. Other standards in question include research and inquiry, and media and technology; however, an ad hoc local assessment committee may have found ways to include research/inquiry, and media/technology on a paper and pencil test.

B. Wisconsin Communication Association (WCA)

Eric D. reported that the debate at the convention would be about censorship of high school performance literature. He also expressed satisfaction with the joint planning of the convention.

C. Affiliate Liaison

Scott O.’s travel schedule did not allow him to attend the affiliate breakfast at the NCTE convention.

VI. Officer Reports

A. 2nd Vice President-Tom Scott

Tom S. reported on his idea for 2003 convention which involves literacy and gender differences. Tom invited Michael Smith, author of Reading Don’t Fix no Chevys: Literacy in the Lives of Young Men , and he is waiting for a response. Margaret Finders, author of Just Girls: Hidden Literacies and Life in Junior High, is another consideration.

B. 1st Vice President-Debbie Kinder

Debbie K. gave a brief convention update. The WCA debate will be at 9:30 A.M., the guest speakers have been confirmed, and it seems that there will be good attendance.

C. President-Carol Conway Gerhardt

Carol reported that the organization began the year with the retreat at St. Benedict’s Center in Madison where goals for the organization, officers, and district director’s were established. WCTELA has worked toward those goals, and has made significant progress toward several including the following: fostering the implementation of the new curriculum guide, making connections with other groups, and producing meaningful publications.

VII. Old Business

A. Convention Dates and Sites for 2003 and 2004

If the convention remains in Appleton, the convention will be on April 4-5, 2003. Immediately following Saturday’s luncheon, a representative group will meet to decide where next year’s convention should be held.

B. Competitions

The Promising Young Writer award has a confusing time line. Carol C.-G. will follow up on the correct dates.

VIII. New Business

A. Officer Election

According to the constitution,the Past President is in charge of officer election and ballot; but that did not occur. We are now looking for a 2nd Vice President representing the secondary level. Anyone interested should submit a name to Carol C.-G. so a ballot can be created and given to members.

B. District Director Nominations

1. Bonnie F. declined reappointment to the District Directors’ Liaison position. Mary Sue B. motioned to appoint Mary Graber to the District Directors’ Liaison position. It was seconded by Lynn A., and the motion carried. The transition will occur this summer.

2. The board discussed possible names for district directors to be placed on a ballot for positions which are up for election. Any ideas should be sent to Bonnie F. or Mary G. so a ballot can be sent out.

C. Regional Affiliate Representative

A motion to name Chris V. H. as the regional affiliate representative was made by Tom S., and it was seconded by Bonnie F. The motion carried. Chris V.H. will be representing WCTELA at a meeting in St. Louis in August.

D. Summer Retreat

The retreat will be at St. Benedict’s Center in Madison on Aug. 1-2. The meeting will be from 1:00-4:30 P.M. on Thursday, with an optional trip to Spring Green to see The Taming of the Shrew. On Friday, the group will meet from about 7:30 A.M. until early afternoon.

E. Fall and Winter Meetings

The fall and winter meetings will continue to be held at the Holidome in Stevens Point. The dates have been set as Sept. 13-14, and Feb. 7-8.

IX. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.