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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (February 20, 2018) — Milligan College and the Blue Ridge Literacy Project present the inaugural “Teach, Read, Lead Conference” on Saturday, March 3, featuring No. 1 New York Times best-selling author of the “Serafina” series, Robert Beatty, who will address literacy in the region, along with other experts in the field of education.
The event will be held in the McGlothlin-Street Theatre located in Milligan’s Gregory Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m.
Beatty, who lives in Asheville, plans to talk about his “Serafina” novels, published by Disney Hyperion. They are spooky mystery-thrillers about a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The first novel in the series, “Serafina and the Black Cloak” was a New York Times best-seller for more than 59 weeks and won the prestigious Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize in 2016.
The conference also will host Beverly Tyner, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who has been an educator for more than 40 years, serving as a teacher, principal and school district curriculum director. She has been a best-selling author for the International Reading Association with five publications.
Richard Allington, professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee, also will present. Previously, he served as the Irving and Rose Fien Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Florida, chair of the Department of Reading at the University at Albany—SUNY, and president of the International Reading Association and the National Reading Conference. In addition, he serves on numerous editorial boards and is the author of over 100 research articles and several books.
“Milligan’s education area is excited to host the inaugural “Teach, Read, and Lead Conference” and promote literacy in our region,” said Dr. Angela Hilton-Prillhart, education area chair. “We’re excited to bring together educators from around the area to share ideas and knowledge regarding best practices in literacy education.”
The Blue Ridge Literacy Project is an initiative established by professional educators dedicated to and actively engaged in advancing the level of literacy instruction within the areas of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina.
Advance registration is $85; for pre-service teachers, $40. Lunch is included. To register or for more information, email blueridgelitproject@gmail.com, or visit blueridgelitproject.weebly.com.
The Blue Ridge Literacy Project is an initiative established by professional educators dedicated to and actively engaged in advancing the level of literacy instruction within the areas of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina.