2007 READ 180 National Summer Institute Sparks Excitement!

In 2007, 1,000 READ 180 teachers, principals, and district administrators gathered in San Francisco, California, for four days of intensive professional development and the opportunity to share implementation success, best practices, and cool classroom ideas. Keynote speakers included READ 180 authors Ted Hasselbring, Ed.D., Kevin Feldman, Ed.D., and Kate Kinsella, Ed.D.; educational leaders Rich Allen, Ph.D., and David Rose, Ed.D.; and award-winning authors Christopher Paul Curtis and Rodman Philbrick. The speakers provided relevant and engaging instructional guides to increase AYP in the 2007–2008 school year. READ 180 educators strengthened the READ 180 Community by connecting with colleagues from across the nation and learning from each other in over 40 elective sessions.

Highlighting the four days was the announcement of Betty Lewing as the winner of the first annual READ 180 Outstanding Educator Award, created to recognize the exceptional commitment of READ 180 teachers who bring reading to life, truly turning lives around. Ms. Lewing was presented the award by former student and Scholastic colleague Tabitha Trujillo, which she followed with an inspiring address to attendees, accounting for her success with READ 180 and her best wishes to READ 180 educators as they looked toward the coming school year. “We are thrilled to honor Betty Lewing as our first READ 180 Outstanding Educator,” said Margery Mayer, President, Scholastic Education. “Her intense commitment to her students and her deep belief that all students — no matter the obstacles they face — can learn to read and succeed in school make her special. We are proud she is our inaugural award winner and look forward to recognizing many more teachers in the future.”

Thank you to each presenter and attendee for making this the best and most effective READ 180 National Summer Institute!