by Juli-Anne Benjamin, NJLA Board Member Every time I think I have embraced a good understanding of research as it relates to collaboration, the discussion space with colleagues and the cyclical questions we ask and answer, consistently iterates and I gain new and deeper understanding of the concept. Even the name of 'collaborative communication' is coined as "inter professional collaboration", which, on its face, may not lead one to think or know it as collaborative communi

by Shalonda Archibald, NJLA Board Member Heyyyy friends! It is the most joyous time of the school year, isn’t it? Finally, we see some light at the end of the tunnel, right? It has been an indubitably long school year. For many of us, we have just a few days of school left until we can wrap the 2020-2021 school year in a tight, tight, super tight box with a beautiful, shiny, glittery pink bow. LOL! Seriously though, friends. This school year has been one like no other.

by Susan Dougherty, NJLA Board Member Early chapter books hold a special place in the literacy lives of young readers. Every 1st and 2nd grade teacher knows the great pride a child feels when they are able to read “a chapter book.” Many readers have fond memories of reading Frog & Toad, Henry & Mudge, or Little Bear books in those early grades. And, yet, the body of well-known early chapter books suffers from a problem that has long plagued children’s literature. The char

by Kathryn Diskin, NJLA Board Member Addressing students’ social and emotional needs has always been a focus of schools, and following the COVID pandemic, this focus becomes of paramount importance. Every human being needs to feel connected and safe, be kind, and know the value of such concepts as optimism and resilience and how these positive personal traits can positively impact their social, emotional, and physical health. The language arts classroom is the perfect place t

by Jenna Maxman, NJLA Board Member Most educators today will agree we face a daily battle for our students’ attention. Whether it is from Netflix, YouTube, TikTok, or any of the many other social media outlets, literacy teachers seem to feel this competition more acutely. Now add to it the incredible circumstances students have faced over the last 12 months, with school and public libraries closures due to Covid-19. Students’ lack of access to reading materials has, even more