Literacy Matters - Vol 21 - Winter 2021

Letter from the President

Missy Lark

Reading Matters Make it Matter Reading Matters Make it Matter

The Palmetto State Literacy Association (PSLA) would like to thank the educators of South Carolina for their tireless efforts to meet the needs of students physically, socially and emotionally during this unprecedented pandemic. The challenges for educators during the 2020- 2021 school year have been like no other. Across our great state, teachers have risen to the challenge of educating students, adapting classrooms and modifying teaching styles to provide safe learning environments for students. While it has been challenging for educators across the state, it has also provided the opportunity to try something new, experience new technologies, and discover new ways of working virtually. PSLA has experienced these same challenges as we support local councils. Meeting virtually has

given us the opportunity to keep abreast of current trends and issues when we are not able to meet face to face.

PSLA launched a newwebsite, www.palmettostateliteracy. org, this year! Our newwebsite offers online membership, grants, scholarships, awards, latest news, and upcoming events. In the comingmonths, PSLA will be announcing virtual opportunities for professional development to connect members to our larger community. Please visit and share our website with your colleagues.

We look forward to the future! Best wishes for a safe and healthy 2021!

Missy Lark President

Letter from the Editors

Lisa D. Aker & Koti L. Hubbard

article, Reflections of Culture: Stories as Culturally Sustaining Literacy Practice in Early Childhood , describes ways in which using children’s oral and written stories can center the lives of children of Color and those from historically marginalized populations in the classroom. In addition, you will find other articles that center on the experiences and voices of students and teachers. Educators in 2021 understand that literacy goes beyond the ELA block so we are pleased to share more information on digital literacy, disciplinary literacy, and critical literacy as these are clear paths for professional learning in our state and across the nation.

Dear Readers,

In 2020 we unexpectedly faced many challenges as educators, but as teachers, we rose to those challenges and worked hard to support our students. We learned. We reflected. We are better educators for the experiences of 2020. We are hopeful that 2021 will bring us back to some normalcy, but now more than ever we are charged to consider ways we can support all students in our care. In this issue, we invited a professor at Winthrop University, Dr. Crystal Glover, to be the first in what we hope to be a long line of invited authors for Literacy Matters . Dr. Glover specializes in culturally sustaining literacy practices for young children. Her

Lisa D. Aker

Be inspired and inspiring, Koti and Lisa

Koti L. Hubbard