Professional Travel Grants for Graduate Students
2014-2015
VAASL Annual Conference in Roanoke, VA – November 6 – 8, 2014
10 years
I had a wonderful time attending my first VAASL Conference in Roanoke, VA from November 6-8, 2014. I acquired a great wealth of knowledge that I intend to share with teachers and students. As I listened and gathered information at the conference sessions, I was often reminded of my role and the contributions that I can make to the school-wide community. After attending the conference I will continue to take risks, be creative, and think outside of the box to help students be successful as they move through my school. Some of my conference session highlights are the following:
Bring on the Tech Tools – I learned about Animoto, Jing, Weebly, and eduCanon. These sites allow students and teachers to create book trailers, math journals with maps & artifacts, websites, and interactive videos.
Take 5 – I learned how 5 minutes of text, tips, and technology shared with teachers at faculty meetings can revolutionize your library program.
Making the 2014 Elementary Connection: What’s New in Children’s Literature that Correlates with the K-5 SOLs? – I learned about 2014 children’s book titles and their curricular connection to the VA SOLs. There are many new titles that I plan to purchase and add to my library collection that teachers can begin utilizing immediately.
For the Love of Technology – I learned about many tech tools including Haiku Deck and Prezi, presentation tools; Thinglink, a tool that brings images to life; Powtoon, a tool for presenting animated videos and presentations; SLIPP, a content messaging app for iPhone users at can be used for reminders, upcoming events, and review of materials; and Blogger, a free tool from Google that allows users to create blogs.
Family Reading Night: From Hot Mess to Sweet Success – I learned how to start and maintain a successful Family Reading Night once a month. The presenter shared her ideas and resources and how the reading night has reenergized her library program.
This conference has invigorated me and will allow me to continue the use of instructional technology to engage students and teachers, improve learning through the school library, strengthen both teacher and student connections, have dynamic and meaningful learning experiences for all, and encourage students to become critical thinkers and enthusiastic readers. I can’t wait to put my new knowledge to work.
Amy Miska VAASL Conference 2014
10 years
Amy Miska
I really enjoyed my time at this year’s conference! I attended my regional conference last March and I have to say that both conferences were so well put together and informative. As a library student the classes I attended and the people I met have paid great dividends! I look forward to using the knowledge gained in the years to come as I pursue my career as a librarian.
I arrived Friday for the lunch and the afternoon courses. I also was able to see the key note speaker, Paige Jaeger who gave her address, “Heart-to-Heart Talk for Librarians.” She discussed ways to reach the seemingly unreachable millennials.
On Saturday I was able to attend a few sessions as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the Makers space classes I took as I see this as a firm direction that I am leading toward. It is so important to give children a chance to discover, try, fail, try again and learn experience that is so often lost in our test driven curriculum. I was also excited to learn tips and ideas on how to run a Family Reading Night in my library. Learning about what Google is and can do for you was another great course that really peaked my interest and makes me want to learn more.
I found all of my instructors to be knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The courses were relevant and the 45 minute time slots to be appropriate for the content.
VAASL Conference in Roanoke 2014
10 years
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) conference in Roanoke. Besides spending time with my colleagues from the Loudoun cohort of Longwood University, it was wonderful to meet so many librarians from around the state. There are multitude of great things happening in Virginia libraries! My favorite session was presented by the dynamic Heather Moorfield-Lang who compiles the VAASL “best of” website and apps lists every year. She presented several websites like haikudeck.com, pearltrees.com and thinglink.com. I am looking forward to sharing this information with my school and colleagues. The speakers were dynamic and invigorating, especially Kim Johnson and Neal Shusterman. Hands down, the highlight of the weekend was hearing Dr. Audrey Church introduce each of us at the Longwood Alumni gathering. Dr. Church makes all of us feel like we are the most important student to her, but to realize that there was a great network of librarians and future librarians in her fold made me feel like I am part of something special.
~Elizabeth Madigan
VAASL 2014
10 years
I attended several sessions at Friday’s Virginia Association of School Librarians Conference. The session with the most take-aways that apply across the board was the AASL’s best websites for teaching and learning.
I photocopied the bookmark for my colleagues and encourage you to visit www.ala.org/bestlist. Current and past winners are listed there, and the links are grouped into six categories: media sharing, digital storytelling, manage & organize, social networking & communication, curriculum collaboration and content resources. Every site listed should have some level of free access for educators, although an upgrade may have a price tag. You can visit the presenter’s website at http://www.techfifteen.com/tech-15.html.
Another favorite site that is being overhauled for spring is the Library of Virginia’s Virginia Memory page. I was able to see a Beta version, and it looks user-friendly for both teachers and students. The primary documents that will be featured will also include a transcription, making some of the previous undecipherable manuscripts more accessible for all. (And if you want to help with transcribing, the LOV is crowdsourcing that on their current site,http://virginiamemory.com/ )
It was a long, stressful drive in the rain on Thursday afternoon and evening, but the ride home Saturday was gorgeous. 81 is really breathtaking this time of year, and this episode of Car Talk kept me in stitches, http://www.cartalk.com/
In the words of the parking lot attendant at the Hotel Roanoke, “Have a great day and a better tomorrow.”
VAASL conference
10 years
Margaret Schear with Daisy
I attended the VAASL for the first time this past weekend. It was a great experience networking with other librarians. I learned a lot about collection development and teaching strategies. My favorite workshop was about doing a Caldecott mock election lesson with my students. I plan to try that lesson with my students. I got lots of ideas for new books to purchase for my library at school. I am already looking forward to the conference next year.
Margaret Schear
VAASL 2014 Annual Conference: Nov. 7-8. 2014
10 years
Maura Madigan
I went to the Spring Regional, so this was second experience with a VAASL conference and once again I was really impressed. It was difficult to choose among the selection of concurrent sessions. They all looked so interesting! I was able to attend sessions on both Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, adding to my professional toolkit as a teacher and future librarian.
The best sessions I attended were “How Google Work,” “Standards in Action,” “Making Space for a Makerspace,” and “Makerspaces in Elementary Libraries.” I’m a proponent of problem-based learning, so I found the makerspace sessions particularly interesting. Both sessions offered concrete ways to get started and management tips. Once I become I librarian I would love to have a makerspace in my library.
The key-note speaker, Paige Jaeger, was both entertaining and informative. She discussed the challenges we face with millennial students and how to overcome these. Friday evening I attended the author banquet with Neal Shusterman. I’ve read Unwind, so hearing his inspiration for this novel was a highlight. I bought a copy of his second book and had it signed for my daughter. The conference was great professional development. It was also a way to connect with librarians from all over Virginia and to share ideas. (more…)
ALGBTIC Conference
10 years
– submitted on behalf of Brandon T. Nuckols
I attended the ALGBTIC inaugural conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, which was held on September 19th and 20th of 2014. The ALGBTIC is a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA). The ALGBTIC stands for the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling. My interest in attending this conference was in part due to my strong interested in gaining more knowledge regarding LGBT issues in counseling. I was also interested in attending this conference in order to gain insight, to network, and to perhaps get some directions with my plans after completing my graduate degree in May of 2015. My hope is to perhaps specialize in working with LGBT clients in a counseling setting.
The conference itself felt very high energy, meaning that the vast majority of individuals attending the conference were excited to be there and very passionate about LGBT issues in counseling. There were individuals present at the conference from throughout the United States. Some were professional counselors, others were counselor educators, and still others were graduate or doctoral students.
I attended several presentations focused on transgender issues primarily this is an area I recognize that a gap in my knowledge exists. I learned a great deal, but recognize I still have more to learn regarding transgender issues in counseling. I also attended several presentations focused upon LGBT issues relating to religion including the highly controversial “conversion therapy” and how religious fundamentalism has impacted LGBT clients and counselors. There were also several presentations that I attended that were focused upon the counselor’s role as an advocate for LGBT clients.
The most memorable event at the ALGBTIC conference was the luncheon and ceremony on the second day of the conference. I was not expecting such a positive emotional ceremony. A great deal of the history and struggle of the ALGBTIC division within the ACA was shared. This conference was the culmination of a long struggle and a great deal of work from many individual counseling professionals. Among those present at the ALGBIC inaugural conference included the first openly gay president of the ACA, the first openly lesbian president of the ACA, and the President-elect of the ACA. I cannot say enough about how moving of a ceremony the luncheon was for me.
Overall, I am very appreciative of the opportunity to have attended the ALGBTIC inaugural conference. I would not have been able to attend this conference without the help of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. This conference provided me with a great deal to consider as I move forward in my career. I plan to remain a member of the ALGBTIC and hope to attend all future conferences. I feel that LGBT issues in counseling are of growing importance and that it is equally important that future counselors are competent in working with LGBT clients.
3rd Annual Pediatric Feeding Conference
10 years
Rebecca Pacheco and Allyson Rubino at conference
– submitted on behalf of Allyson Rubino
Children’s Hospital of Richmond
Richmond, VA
September 9th, 2014
I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 3rd Annual Pediatric Feeding Conference at CHOR. It was encouraging to see such a variety of interdisciplinary professionals, OTs, PTs, SLPs, collaborating for the benefit of the pediatric population. I learned about the vital role that pediatric dieticians play in planning a child’s dietary routine. I look forward to incorporating the new information I learned at the conference into my clinical experience.
3rd Annual Feeding Conference
10 years
– submitted on behalf of Rebecca Pacheco
Children’s Hospital of Richmond
Richmond, VA
September 9th, 2014
I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to attend the 3rd Annual Children’s Hospital of Richmond Feeding Conference. Attending this conference has enhanced my education in the area of feeding and swallowing intervention for the pediatric population. Most importantly the content of this conference provided me with critical information in regards to treating children who experience food aversions which affects their nutritional well being and quality of life. The information obtained from this conference will be vital for future diagnostic and treatment implementation as I become a professional in the field of speech-language pathology.