Published: Oct. 28, 2014

As a member of the Colorado Language Arts Society (CLAS) conference committee, PhD Candidate Mike Wenk recently helped to organize a successful annual meetingÌýheld in Golden, CO. Approximately 250 Language Arts teachers, preservice teachers, professors, and administrators from across the stateÌýgathered to collaborate on high quality Language Arts teaching and learning that meets state standards in meaningful ways.

For example, Mike andÌýhigh school studentsÌýDaryn and MollyÌýled a session on the research they have been conducting together on integrating queer identities in the Language Arts curriculum while at the same time meeting state standards. School of Education ProfessorÌýsj MillerÌýserved as the respondent.ÌýAs Mike explains, their joint effort has been "toÌýinsert queer issues and identities into the curriculum so that it’s front and center rather than happeningÌýon the fringes of school. Kids are bringing their own knowledge on these topics into the classroomÌýand driving a sea change in schools."

CLAS is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English. CU-Â鶹ӰԺ also has a 50-memberÌýstudent affliliate group, called NCTE-CU, led by teacher candidateÌýCaitlin Dennis. At the CLAS conference, NCTE-CU offered a session on student teaching experiences led by student teachers from CU-Â鶹ӰԺ and CSU, a local Cooperating Teacher, and aÌýUniversity Supervisor from Metro State. As student teachers shared their experiences, preservice teachers had the opportunity to learn and talk about their upcoming student teaching semesters.

The annnual conference also provides prospective and current Language Arts teachers with important opportunities to network professionally.Ìý

Click here for more information on the NCTE-CU Student Affiliate, and .

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Daryn, Professor Miller (respondent), Mike Wenk, and Molly [left to right]Ìý
shared youth participatory researchÌýon queering the curriculum in their session at the recent CLAS Conference.

Related Faculty: Michael Wenk, sj Miller