Most of the WORD awards are given out at the  Fall Conference during the Banquet. The Florence Sperling Educational Assistance Fund Award and Apple Award are the exceptions. 

WORD honors educators, authors, and others involved in reading and literacy efforts awards and grants. An overview of each award—with lists of past recipients, guidelines, and application forms—can be found here.
 

			2007 WORD Awards Honorees

State Literacy Award
Marcie Belgard

Marcie has a long history in WORD, and has served the Benton-Franklin Council in numerous capacities including Co-President, Newsletter Editor, and currently as Vice President. Marcie was awarded the Celebrate Literacy Award for her work to promote literacy across the state, and in the Tri-Cities region in particular. Marcie has long had a reputation of being an exemplary English teacher. She frequently teaches English methods courses at area universities, and has student teachers assigned to her. Marcie has served on numerous OSPI and ESD committees. Her voice has always been one to promote what is best for children.

She regularly shares her expertise in many venues. For instance, Marcie has taught a myriad of workshops across Washington and in neighboring states. In addition to sharing her instruction expertise, Marcie is a voracious reader. Benton-Franklin Council members look forward to Marcie’s book talks about the best new books for adults. Finally, Marcie presents regularly at local, state, and national conferences.

We feel that Marcie’s talents have richly blessed her high school students, and the student teachers she has mentored. Yet, beyond that, teachers all over the state have benefited from her expertise. Her work is sound and of great value to the profession. We are pleased to honor Marcie Belgard with the WORD State Literacy Award.  

State Literacy Awards
Janelle Stolp

Janelle is a primary teacher at Adams Elementary School in Spokane Valley and is a founding member of the Whitworth Writing Rally. She also serves on the art committee at Whitworth University that formed to commemorate the 25^th year of the Writing Rally (2008) in a permanent art installation.

Janelle brings so much to her work as a literacy leader. Twenty-four years ago she, along with a handful of other educators, came together to envision a family literacy event that would attract participants from across Eastern Washington. That event became the annual Whitworth Writing Rally which brings a quality children’s author to Spokane to speak to children about imagination and the power of writing. Janelle continues to serve on the advisory board of the Writing Rally. She also trains volunteer teachers who work at the Rally, frequently teaches a Kindergarten or first grade writing session and organizes and purchases writing supplies for between 600 and 800 child participants per year. Her work with the Rally is invaluable to its continued viability as a community literacy project and we appreciate this opportunity to recognize her contributions.

Part of Janelle’s effectiveness stems from her willingness to see herself always as a work-in-progress. She is always learning and currently meets with her cohort group monthly to talk about professional readings and how each member of the group is applying new ideas to the classroom. She is truly a professional who wants to continue to develop her craft throughout her career and embraces the idea of working in a collegial and mutually respectful environment. Her peers recognize her as a master teacher and a wonderful resource and friend.  It is for all these reasons we are pleased to recognize Janelle Stolp as the WORD State Literacy Award.

Outstanding Administrator
Joyce Stewart

Joyce Stewart has been the much beloved principal at Evergreen Middle School in Everett, Washington for 6 years. Joyce leads her staff with enthusiasm and dedication, pledging to do whatever it takes (that is legal) to ensure that all Evergreen students become successful learners that meet and exceed our high standards.

Joyce promotes literacy in many ways at Evergreen. She has instituted changes in the master schedule which enable the staff to work together on teams to examine student work and to plan effective lessons for the instruction that follows. Joyce was instrumental in helping staff align grade-level expectations with assessments and curriculum, supporting this effort with time and resources. All students read and write daily in all classrooms. In fact, Seventh grade students keep three different composition books in writing, science and math which chronicle their reading, thinking and learning. Finally, when students needed additional opportunities for learning, Joyce found a way to fund a late after school bus specifically for those students who need to stay late to receive extra help with academics. Evergreen has celebrated student performance gains in literacy over Joyce’s tenure as principal

Joyce is a champion for literacy outside the walls of Evergreen as well. She is very supportive of the Everett Council and often encourages the other principals to attend events with their staffs in order to enrich the lives of all of the students in our district.  She has been an active part of WORD since her days as a teacher in Kent. Through her work with the Everett Public Schools Foundation, Joyce has helped to see that dollars have reached classrooms across the district to fund projects that support literacy.

Joyce's leadership infuses staff and students with the excitement of growth possibilities.  Joyce sets high standards for herself, for her staff and her students. While she expects much, she labors alongside all to ensure that all meet those standards while still enjoying being at school. Because of Joyce, coming to school is a positive thing for students and staff alike. Joyce Stewart is an administrator anyone would be proud to work for. Congratulations to Dr. Joyce Stewart, the 2007 WORD Outstanding Administrator.

Outstanding Author
Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Our Washington author (and illustrator) certainly deserves this honor for her wonderful books: Zelda and Ivy has received many awards: American Library Association Notable Book, Editor’s Choice Book by Booklist magazine, Blue Ribbon List by the Center for Children’s Books, and the Book Review Stars list by the School Library Journal, the Oppenheim Best Book Gold Award, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Honor Award for both picture book illustration and text. The Golden Kite Honor Award is particularly rewarding honor since it was given by her peers—other children’s authors and illustrators.

Last year, she received the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award from the American Library Association, for her book, Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways. This new ALA award given to books for young readers, the Geisel Award will one day have the same stature as the Newbery and Caldecott Awards.

Laura McGee Kvasnosky notes that “Creating children’s books is my dream job. The experiences I value most – nurturing a family, reading, writing, design, painting – all meet in this one enterprise. There are newspaper writers on both branches of my family tree. Perhaps we have a genetic urge to organize a story as a way to understand life. Being part of my family also affects what I choose to write about. I’m the middle of five kids. In many ways it was like growing up in a summer camp. My mother even put name tags in our underwear…. When I turned 40, I decided to go for a lifelong dream of publishing a children’s book. Now, 14 years later, I’m 13 books into that dream, with several more in the works.”

WORD feels that an author who has received so much national recognition is definitely worthy to be recognized on the state level. Congratulations to Laura McGee Kvasnosky, WORD 2007 Outstanding Author.

Partnership Award
Washington Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Kathy Clayton, Executive Director
Mike Dunn, President
Janel Keating, Past President

The WORD Partnership Award is a very prestigious award that recognizes a group, business, or agency for joining with a local or state council and providing, to the community and to literacy, an outstanding service, project or event. WSASCD over the past two years has had a focus on promoting best practices in literacy at their state and regional conferences held throughout Washington. They championed practitioners who were achieving literacy success with their students. They brought in well-respected literacy experts to train administrators and teachers in implementing best practices. Because of their partnership, more educators are implementing these best practices in literacy throughout our state. Congratulations to Executive Director Kathy Clayton Past President Janel Keating and current President Mike Gunn for their leadership in implementing these literacy initiatives.

Hall of Fame
Terrell Young

It is with great pleasure that WORD announces the induction of Dr. Terrell Young into the WORD Hall of Fame. Terry has been a passionate teacher, professor, author and mentor throughout his 30+ years in education. Terry taught elementary school in Wyoming, Utah and Venezuela for 12 years before earning his Ed. D.  He has been a professor at Washington State University since 1990 and teaches a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses in Children’s Literature and Reading.  He is author, coauthor and editor of several books and numerous articles including Happily Ever After: Sharing Folk Literature With Elementary and Middle School Students and Caught in the Spell of Writing And Reading: Grade 3 And Beyond.

Terry has faithfully served at the local level with the Benton Franklin Council in many roles throughout the years. His knowledge and expertise have helped the Benton Franklin Council offer exceptional workshops and in-service opportunities for educators throughout the area.

He has also served as our state WORD President, Conference Coordinator and as our IRA Coordinator. Currently he is the state coordinator for the IRA Regional which will be held in Seattle in October 2008. He has received the Excellence Award in Mentoring, WSU 2007;  Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award, IRA 2006;  Sam Sebesta Award, 2003;  Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching, WSU 2002. We are pleased to honor Terry’s commitment to WORD and to literacy by inducting him into the Washington Organization for Reading Development’s Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Terry.

			Apple Award

WORD honors outstanding local councils each year with its Apple Award.

			Outstanding Administrator Award

This award recognizes an administrator who has effectively motivated, inspired, and supported others in the promotion of literacy.  The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet/Luncheon, at the time of the State Leadership Workshop.

			Advocacy Award

The Washington Organization for Reading Development recognizes a local council for advocating for literacy at the local, state or national level.

			Author/Illustrator/Storyteller Award

This award recognizes a Washington author, illustrator or storyteller for outstanding contributions to children's literature. The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon/Banquet during the State Leadership Workshop.

			Honor Council

IRA will award a Honor Council award to outstanding local councils.

			Literacy Award

The Literacy Award recognizes organizations, institutions, and individuals who have made significant literacy contributions at the state level. The recipient must be a past or present recipient of a local council's Celebrate Literacy Award. The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet/Luncheon during the State Leadership Workshop.

			Media Award

This award recognizes a newspaper or radio/TV station which has recently demonstrated support or promotion of literacy. The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon/Banquet during the State Leadership Conference.

			Partnership Award

This award recognizes a group, business, or agency for joining with a local or state council and providing, to the community and to literacy, an outstanding service, project or event. The award will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon/Banquet during the State Leadership Workshop Conference.

			Sebesta Award

Recognizing a clearly outstanding classroom teacher or teacher educator of reading/language arts/literature with a cash award (donated by Scott Foresman) honors Sam Sebesta. The recipient of the award must be a classroom teacher or university educator who works directly with students in a school or college/university setting. In addition, the applicant/nominee must have taught for five (5) full years in Washington and be nominated by at least four persons through letters of support. Applicants/ nominees must have been WORD members for a minimum of 5 years and have current WORD and IRA memberships.

			Florence Sperling Educational Assistance Fund

This fund is maintained through donations from out local councils and is designed to aid our members in special projects or activities. To be eligible, the member's council or the council itself must have donated to the fund by mid-January each year. The number and amount of awards depends on the amount of money available in the fund.