Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers

📚💙 Happy Father’s Day from the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER)! 💙📚

Today, we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, father figures, mentors, and caregivers who nurture a love of learning and literacy in the lives of children and families.

Whether reading bedtime stories, helping with homework, sharing life lessons, or simply modeling the value of education, fathers play a vital role in developing confident readers, writers, thinkers, and lifelong learners.

Research consistently reminds us that when fathers and father figures are actively engaged in children’s literacy experiences, students benefit academically, socially, and emotionally.

Thank you to all the fathers and father figures who inspire curiosity, encourage growth, and help shape brighter futures through the power of literacy.

Wishing you a joyful and meaningful Father’s Day!

Today, we commemorate Juneteenth—a day that reminds us that freedom is most meaningful when it is shared, protected, and accessible to all.

As literacy educators and researchers, we recognize that the ability to read, write, think critically, and tell one’s own story is deeply connected to liberation. Literacy has long been a pathway to empowerment, civic participation, and social change, while the denial of literacy has historically been used as a tool of oppression.

On this Juneteenth, we honor the resilience, brilliance, and contributions of Black communities and reaffirm our commitment to advancing literacy that promotes justice, equity, belonging, and opportunity.

May we continue to create classrooms, research, and communities where every voice is valued, every story matters, and every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

Together, let us imagine literacies that build a more just and inclusive future.

Happy Juneteenth.

📚✨ Registration is NOW OPEN! ✨📚

Join us for the 2026 Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers (ALER) Annual Conference as we gather to explore the power of literacy to shape more just, inclusive, and hopeful futures.

🗓 November 5–7, 2026
📍 St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel
St. Petersburg, Florida

Theme:
"Imagining Literacies, Envisioning Futures: Working for Justice and Belonging"

This year's conference will bring together literacy educators, researchers, teacher educators, graduate students, and practitioners committed to advancing equity, belonging, and transformative literacy practices.

🎤 Featured Keynote Speakers
Regie Gibson — Lecturer, Literary Performer, and Educator
Haeny Yoon — Associate Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University

✅ Registration Includes:
🔹Full conference registration
🔹One-year ALER membership
🔹Opportunities to network with literacy scholars and practitioners from across the country
🔹Inspiring sessions, research presentations, and conversations that challenge and transform our practice

Whether you're a seasoned researcher, classroom teacher, literacy coach, or graduate student, there's a place for you at ALER 2026.

Come imagine new literacies, envision bold futures, and work together for justice and belonging.

✳EARLY BIRD RATES until SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

✨CALL FOR APPLICATIONS ✨

The ALER Research Committee is thrilled to announce our annual awards season!

We invite submissions for the following awards:

🔹J. Estill Alexander Future Leaders in Literacy Award
🔹Outstanding Master's Paper
🔹Outstanding Dissertation Paper
Learn more at https://www.aleronline.org/page/futureleaders

🔹ALER Literacy Teacher Education Research Grant
Learn more at https://www.aleronline.org/page/researchgrant

Deadline: ⚠ Submit applications by August 7, 2026.

📨For inquiries, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

✨ Please join us in welcoming Dr. Katherine Wright to the ALER Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term! ✨

Dr. Katherine L. Wright is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Oregon and the Research Coordinator for the Literacy Screeners for Alaska Indigenous Languages (LSAIL) project.

Her research focuses on engaging and supporting students as readers and writers through disciplinary literacy practices that help learners think, speak, read, and write like field experts. Her work aims to increase educational access and help close opportunity gaps for students. Dr. Wright is the author or co-author of more than 50 articles and book chapters and has collaborated on multiple NSF-funded projects totaling over $8 million in funding.

Since first attending ALER in 2016, Dr. Wright has been a strong advocate for the organization, encouraging graduate students and colleagues to become involved and supporting emerging scholars along the way.

As a member of the Board of Directors, Dr. Wright is committed to continuing ALER’s welcoming and supportive community, particularly for graduate students and early-career faculty.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Wright to the ALER Board of Directors! 📚✨

✨ Please join us in welcoming Dr. Bethanie Pletcher to the ALER Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term! ✨

Dr. Bethanie Pletcher is a Professor of Literacy Education at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Her research focuses on literacy coaching, reading clinics, and supporting emergent readers who experience reading difficulties. She is also the Lead Editor of the national journal, Literacy Research and Instruction (LRI), and has published more than 65 articles and book chapters.

A dedicated literacy leader, Dr. Pletcher has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Jack Cassidy Distinguished Literacy Service Award from the Texas Association for Literacy Education and induction into the Texas A&M System Chancellor’s Academy for Teacher Educators.

Dr. Pletcher has been actively involved with ALER since 2014 as a presenter, reviewer, journal editor, and Board member. She is passionate about supporting collaboration, research, professional learning, and innovative opportunities for ALER members.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Pletcher’s leadership, experience, and commitment to literacy education and research. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming her to the ALER Board of Directors! 📚✨

✨ Please join us in welcoming Dr. Leslie La Croix to the ALER Board of Directors for the 2026–2029 term! ✨

Dr. Leslie La Croix is an assistant professor at George Mason University in the College of Education and Human Development, affiliated with the Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program.

Her research focuses on literacy practices, socially just pedagogies, and preparing educators to create equitable and inclusive learning environments for children and families. Her scholarship has appeared in journals including The Reading Teacher, Reading Research Quarterly, and the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education.

A dedicated member of ALER since 2011, Dr. La Croix has served as Co-Chair of the Research Committee, proposal reviewer, Yearbook reviewer, and former Board member. She also supported literacy educators through ALER’s Remote Teaching Committee during COVID-19.

Dr. La Croix is committed to helping ALER continue fostering inclusive professional spaces, strengthening partnerships, and advancing literacy opportunities for all learners.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Dr. La Croix to the ALER Board of Directors! 📚✨

✨ Please join us in welcoming Dr. Tori Flint to the ALER Board of Directors for the 2026–2029 term! ✨

Dr. Flint is an Associate Professor of Literacy and Early Childhood Education and the Early Childhood Program Coordinator at the . She also serves as the Co-Director of the Louisiana Center for Research and Education on Languages and Literacies (LA CREoLL).

Dr. Flint’s work beautifully bridges early literacies, play, joy, and multimodality, helping educators reimagine literacy learning through creativity, connection, and child-centered practices. Her newest book, , reflects her commitment to creating meaningful and joyful learning experiences for children.

Her scholarship and leadership have earned national recognition, including the 2025 International Play Association Doctor of Play Award, the ALER Jerry Johns Promising Researcher Award, and the 2025 Divergent Award for Excellence in Literacy in a Digital Age: Publication.

Dr. Flint currently serves as ALER Publications Chair and is an active member of ALER’s BLOOM Committee, where she supports mentorship and opportunities for scholars from marginalized identities navigating literacy research and academia.

As a member of the Board of Directors, Dr. Flint is committed to helping ALER continue to grow as a welcoming, innovative, and collaborative community through mentorship, advocacy, equity-centered initiatives, and meaningful connections across the literacy field.

We are excited for her leadership, vision, and dedication to the future of literacy education and research. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Flint! 🌸📚

📬 Check Your Email, Members!

The President’s Letter for May 2026 is now available and has been sent to your inbox from ALER.

If you don’t see it, please take a moment to:
✔️ Check your spam/junk folder
✔️ Search for emails from "ALER Webmaster"
✔️ Mark it as “Not Spam” so you don’t miss future updates

This month’s message celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week.

Stay informed. Stay connected. ✨