an action-research project conducted on
the teaching of empathetic, argumentative writing
Erica has created and led over 40 unique presentations at local, state, national, and virtual conferences and training sites. Additionally, she conducts workshops and coaches teacher/admin teams.
Most of her events focus on literacy growth for grades 4-12.
Past Experience
- November 2019: “When Students Write Arguments that Listen: Inquiries of Responsibility, Heart, and Community Service” presentation with Dr. Jennifer VanDerHeide, et. al.; National Council of Teachers of English; Annual Convention; Baltimore, MD.
- November 2018: “Raising Student Voices through Listening Arguments: Teaching Students to Read and Write Toward Understanding through Multiple Perspectives” roundtable session with Dr. Jennifer VanDerHeide, et. al.; National Council of Teachers of English; Annual Convention; Houston, TX
- April 2018: Writing Across the Content Areas workshop Big Rapids Middle School; Big Rapids, MI
- September 2017: School Improvement Writing Team group coaching session; Big Rapids Middle School; Big Rapids, MI
- November 2016: “‘We’re All Reading Teachers:’ Building Bridges rather than Buzz Phrases” ignite talk; The Future of Reading: Texts, Trends, and Technologies roundtable National Council of Teachers of English; Annual Convention; Atlanta, Georgia.
- July 2016: “We’re All Reading Teachers:” The Truth and Lie Behind the Buzz Phrase; nErDcamp Conference: Day One; Parma, MI
- October 2015: Blogging in the Classroom webinar; 4T Virtual Conference on Digital Writing; co-led with Beth Rogers
- July 2015: Literacy in the Social Studies workshop; LMF4PD Conference with Dr. Rick Wormeli; Grand Rapids, MI
- March 2015: Demystifying Argumentative Writing presentation; 58th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- November 2014: Transatlantic Outreach Program; edCampGR; Grand Rapids, MI
- June 2014: Creating Hype with “Gateway” Books & Strategies presentation; Annual Michigan Reading Association Summer Literacy Conference; Mackinaw Island, MI
- February 2014: How the hashtag might be ruining the English language but will impact your instruction; Cedar Springs Public Schools; Cedar Springs, MI
- March 2013: How Classroom Libraries Connect Us presentation; Semi-Annual Student-Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Allendale, MI
- October 2012: How Classroom Libraries Connect Us presentation; Semi-Annual Student-Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Grand Rapids, MI; co-led with Lindsey Tilley
- September 2018: Reading Across the Content Areas workshop; Big Rapids High School; Big Rapids, MI
- November 2017: “Freed Reading: Book Love Grant Winners on Using Classroom Libraries to Promote Student Joy, Growth, and Independence” roundtable National Council of Teachers of English; Annual Convention; St. Louis, Missouri.
- May 2017: Writing Across the Content Areas workshop; Big Rapids Middle School; Big Rapids, MI
- October 8, 2016: Secondary Book Talk; Celebrate Literacy Conference; Grand Valley State University; Grand Rapids, Michigan
- March 2016: Disciplinary Literacy; 59th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Detroit, MI
- August 2015: Literacy Across the Content Areas workshop; Big Rapids Middle School; Big Rapids, MI
- July 2015: Disciplinary Literacies: Bridging the Department Divide presentation; nErDcamp Conference: Day One; Parma, MI; co-led with Dave Stuart Jr.
- March 2015: Creating Hype with “Gateway” Books & Strategies presentation; 58th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- October 2014: Twitter for Teachers: It’s more than @KimKardashian selfies; Semi-Annual Student-Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Grand Rapids, MI
- June 2014: Demystifying Argumentative Writing presentation; nErDcamp Conference: Day One; Parma, MI
- January 2014: They Say, I Say: Demystifying Argumentative Writing in the Social Sciences presentation; Social Studies Professional Learning Community; Cedar Springs, MI
- March 2013: Close Reading: How to Light Your Students’ Minds on Fire presentation; 57th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI; co-led with Dave Stuart Jr.
- October 2012: Creating a Classroom for the 21st Century Learner roundtable discussion; Grand Valley State University College of Education Alumni Association; Allendale, MI; co-led with Brooke Holt
- March 2012: How Classroom Libraries Connect Us presentation; 56th Annual Michigan Reading Association Conference; Grand Rapids, MI; co-led with Lindsey Tilley
- August 2018: Writing Across the Content Areas workshop; Big Rapids Middle School; Big Rapids, MI
- November 2017: “Reclaiming Our Voices…” session with Dave Stuart Jr., Annie Kim Sytsma, and Melissa Damico, National Council of Teachers of English; Annual Convention; St. Louis, Missouri.
- October 2017: Writing Across the Content Areas workshop; Big Rapids Middle School; Big Rapids, MI
- April 2017: School Improvement Writing Team group coaching session; Big Rapids Middle School; Big Rapids, MI
- August 2016: Literacy Across the Content Areas; Beaverton Rural Schools; Beaverton, MI
- February 2016: Academic Vocabulary + Writing Cedar Springs Public Schools; Professional Development Day; co-led with Josh Cooper
- August 2015: Creating Hype with “Gateway” Books & Strategies presentation; Kent Intermediate School District Curriculum Camp; Grand Rapids, MI
- March 2015: Interdisciplinary Literacy workshop; Grand Valley State University College; Grand Rapids, MI
- November 2014: Demystifying Argumentative Writing presentation; 2014 Michigan Joint Annual Social Studies Conference; Lansing, MI
- October 2014: Interdisciplinary Literacy workshop; Grand Valley State University College; Grand Rapids, MI
- March 2014: How the hashtag might be ruining the English language but will get you hired; Semi-Annual Student-Teacher Fire-Up Conference; Allendale, MI
- October 2013: Close Reading workshop Shine Catholic Grade School; Royal Oak, MI; co-led with Dave Stuart Jr.
- November 2012: Close Reading workshop; Cedar Springs Public Schools; Cedar Springs, MI
- May 2012: Project-Based Learning workshop; Grand Valley State University; Allendale, MI
- August 2011: Creating Classrooms Where Readers Flourish roundtable discussion; Aquinas College’s Summer Literacy Conference with Donalyn Miller; Grand Rapids, MI
- 2007-2009: West Ed’s Reading Apprenticeship district-wide literacy initiative; Cedar Springs Public Schools; Cedar Springs MI; co-led with Jennifer Van Der Heide & Steven Vree