Exploring Inspiration & Wonder:
Insights from PCTELA23
by Sarah Wilt
The annual Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts (PCTELA) Conference was truly an enriching experience. For me and all in attendance, PCTELA23 became more than just a networking opportunity with free books and resources; the conference encouraged a variety of rich conversations, fostering collaborative inspirations, and lasting connections.
Following the year’s theme, “Explorations: Engaging a Sense of Wonder,” sessions shared ideas to inspire students' creativity, including 'poetry pauses' and using multimedia in the classroom. Educators were encouraged to embrace new tech tools while also reviving traditional paper-and-pencil strategies. A personal highlight was WPCTE’s Vice-President, Hannah Lewis, and her coworker, Abby Weller-Hall, leading a lively Kahoot session about our views on AI in the classroom. Furthermore, I snagged several brainstorming strategies that involve students exchanging papers and contributing to their peers' ideas in Heather Boltz's session that emphasized students' connections, readiness, and accountability. These sessions fostered a sense of creativity and optimism, encouraging educators to adapt their teaching methods to better meet the ever-changing needs of their diverse student populations.
Additionally, a new feature this year was the Exploration Stations. These interactive tables provided a chance to interact directly with presenters. Fan favorites included the poetry station with WPCTE’s President, Amy Bouch, as well as a variety of comic creation activities with Tim Smyth. Additionally, these stations offered hands-on experiences, complete with fun activities like stickers and crafts. The most popular were the perler bead creation station followed by the letter and color beads bracelet making station. The variety of table activities fostered one-on-one connections in a relaxed, creative atmosphere, offering attendees a chance to unwind and take mental breaks as needed throughout the conference.
However, the most impactful aspect of the conference were the keynote speakers. Friday featured Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzweki, authors of When You Wonder, You’re Learning, who got the room full of teachers to explore the playful pedagogy of Mr. Fred Rogers through a game of “keepy uppy” with balloons. This moment acted as the perfect sneak peak as President of PCTELA, Nick Emmanuele, announced that they would be hosting a virtual book study of their book in February, free to all PCTELA members!
Following was Christine Kendall, YA author of The True Definition of Neva Beane and the award-winning Riding Chance. Kendall encouraged educators and students alike to never stop imagining, stating, “I still spend a lot of time daydreaming.” Saturday continued this momentum with YA author Arvin Ahmadi, who, when asked about how his books like How it All Blew Up, have appeared on banned book lists for promoting his own identity as a gay, Muslim, Iranian-American, he stressed: “Diversion is a lot easier than lying… It is English teachers who encourage students to look at the whole book, not just one topic.”
The following #PAProudEducator Ignite Panel, introduced by former PA Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty, evoked a wave of emotions. The panel highlighted two young educators, Brittney Bell and Julianna Balmer, who emphasized being a guiding light for students and standing strong in our admiration of our students. Bell reminded attendees that everyone has a shining light, expressing, “Sometimes we are just reflecting other’s light because we don’t have any of our own. All light is needed and valuable.” Following this sentiment, Balmer’s personal story about an older colleague sarcastically replying “well that will fade soon” when she expressed that her students put a cheery smile on her face, received an audible reaction from the audience.
Finally, Stacey Hetrick's poignant speech was the panel pinnacle. The speech marked her first public appearance since taking a medical leave from teaching due to severe public humiliation caused by the Moms for Liberty movement at her school, where she was shamed and emotionally degraded for supporting her LGBTQIA+ students. She ended her speech with a heartfelt poem about sunflowers, resilient flowers who turn to each other if they are unable to find sunlight, and reminded attendees, “Know your worth. Value your health and safety.” Her story became an emotional release for many of us, echoing the trauma and hardships faced, particularly since the pandemic. Ultimately, the whole panel served as a mirror, reaffirming the shared experience and solidarity among all of us as educators.
In contemplating this year’s PCTELA Conference, one resounding truth surfaces – the profound importance of educators and the invaluable worth inherent in our connections. Personally, the connections I made reestablished that I truly am an amazing educator and the work I do is worth it. Beyond a mere gathering, PCTELA23 served as a reminder that teachers matter, our work is immeasurable, and our collaborative endeavors echo far beyond our classrooms.
Looking to next year, I eagerly anticipate the new theme, “Elevate: Inspiring Each Other & Lifting Voices,” and envision a continued renewal of connections and the evolution of teaching methods to come.
Mx. Sarah Wilt teaches 9th/10th grade English online at Bridgeway Homeschool Academy. Beyond teaching, Sarah enjoys long walks with her dog, birding, reading long books & manga/ comics, playing video games, and learning new things. Connect with Sarah: @SWiltEdu, LinkedIn, & YouTube
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