Well, @NCTE, That's a Wrap! And @ALANorg, Time to Get Things Hopping. Looking Forward to Learning & Presenting. But This Morning's Note is for @ValerieKinloch

Dear. Dr. Kinloch,

Yes, I think you know much about the sillier side of Crandall, as you've been the feather or two that has been lent to me and so many other for a very long time (That's a Jason Reynold's reference). Actually, it's not just you as an individual, but the collective of individuals you surround yourself with. You belong to a cohort of history, promise, dedication, perseverance, love, intellect, and most importantly JOY. You get kids. You get teachers. And you also get integrity. So do the people you surround yourself with. This is extremely important to me, too:  kids, teachers, integrity.

I reached out to you a year ago, excited that the conference was going to be in Louisville and stating, "You know anything you need, I'm there. It's a homecoming for me." Or is that a school-coming. I couldn't wait to return to Derby City, to hug the Louisville Writing Project family, and to celebrate downtown: Muhammad Ali Museum, Louisville Slugger Museum, The Galt House, Actor's Theater, and maybe even a hike to the Derby Museum. That is Louisville. It's rich with history. It's beautiful with diversity. It, however, has had quite a year, much like our nation. 

Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you put into the NCTE Convention this year: the speakers, the insight, the caliber of programming, but most importantly the expertise. Every session I attended was rich, engaging, and rewarding, and the only regret is that we couldn't physically hug, run into one another in the hallways, compare notes, or make introductions. Digital gatherings work, but they miss some of the humanness that makes our work what it is.

On Saturday night, Dr. Tracey Flores hosted the multicultural celebration and that was probably the most emotional I've ever been at any conference. She made contact with Haitian-born and Louisville-native James Racine and his orchestra, and I knew he was going to perform. I also knew we'd be illuminated as a gathering because the language, poetics, and heart of Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz was invited to bring love and peace to us all. She succeeded. She always does.

Ah, I arrived to Louisville age 22 and left at age 37. My time there was in schools, with writing instruction, and open to any and all who would invest in me and my students. Funny that one of them was Mr. James Racine...a kid from my student teaching days, but with a mother who worked at the school who eventually hired me and who, in the tradition of the location, embraced diversity, humanity, high standards, and the importance of mentoring every child. I think we all felt it through her son's music. I was blessed. I still am. We all were.

What was evident from that evening is the importance of investing in one another. Reaching out. Questioning, Guiding. Mentoring. Supporting. Challenging. And celebrating what we're able to accomplish. That is who you've been to me. That is who you've been to many. That is who you ARE to us all. Thank you for the leadership.

YOU ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH and I am thankful. I arrived last Wednesday night to our virtual platform and stayed the entire time. Yesterday, presenting on sports literacy with Bridgeport teacher William King, I chose to wear my Louisville hoodie, but a Connecticut Writing Project cap....my two worlds with so much Syracuse in-between. The day before, I presented with teachers, students, and NWP Directors on a yearlong collaboration about the Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felicia Rose Chavez. In my slides was one where I highlighted the fact that I could not be me, if it wasn't for you. Your work made/makes my work possible. 

And so I am grateful to you. I appreciate you. I applaud you. Yes, once upon a time a letter like this would merely be put in the mail, but I'm on year 15 of blogging, so my thinking goes public with the world (and yes, this year's publication of POW! Power of Words was designed with Pink & Green. You were in the back of my mind).

So here's to you, your extraordinary achievement, and the year ahead. President Kinloch, thank you for leading NCTE.

Shoes and elephants. Elephants and shoes.

The for-real, for-real hugs are coming soon.

Bryan