President's Message

October 2, 2024

Dear BC Literacy Council of the International Literacy Association members,

Welcome to a new school year. The time of welcomes, learning names, and teaching routines has unfolded. The International Literacy Association is a champion of literacy learning in a global context. We started as a local council in British Columbia called LOMCIRA, the Lower Mainland Council of the International Reading Association. Once we had several local literacy councils, the provincial British Columbia Council of the International Literacy Association was born. International Literacy Association members living in British Columbia are automatically BCLiteracy Council of the ILA members.

The BCLCILA has supported innovative leaders who promote literacy learning throughout British Columbia for many years with large professional learning conferences and a plethora of networking opportunities. The BC Literacy Council is championing literacy in different ways these days. Many teachers are Bowling Alone and the demands of the post COVID world have left many teachers stressed and reeling. We are looking for ways we can support literacy teaching in British Columbia and our members.

The British Columbia Literacy Council priorities remain constant:

1. Looking for ways to support the literacy goals of the International Literacy Association within British Columbia.
2. Providing leadership opportunities for educators to network and support each other in the task of supporting the literacy development of their students, school community and the larger literacy community.

Our provincial chapter has the potential to be as active as the volunteers contributing their time and efforts. There are many ways to participate via social media, professional development offered through the ILA or applying to one of the programs available through BCLCILA. I am honoured to have served on the Nominating Committee for the International Literacy Association as one of the international members for the past two years. Participation at the international level is also very rewarding.

Please join us for the AGM that will be happening online via ZOOM, on Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at 5:30 pm. Please RSVP to bcliteracyila@gmail.com if you are attending so you can be sent the ZOOM link. I hope to see you online soon.

Sincerely Yours,

Carrie Froese - President