SecondaryELA March 2026

secondaryela@lists.uen.org

3 participants
5 discussions

[Secondaryela] INFO: 2026 Bennion Teachers’ Workshop
by Naomi Watkins 25 Mar '26

25 Mar '26

[cid:image001.png@01DCBB8B.08DD4780]<https://www.usu.edu/mountainwest/bennion-workshop/> We are very excited to announce 2026 Bennion Teachers’ Workshop: Stories That Matter: Understanding Democracy and Native Sovereignty Through Literature & Media. Dr. Genevieve Ford, Associate Professor of English, at Utah State University, Blanding Campus, is the lead scholar for the workshop. Indigenous artists and activists are reshaping how we understand history, culture, and democracy. From landmark movements like Standing Rock to award-winning Native literature and cultural advocacy today, Indigenous voices continue to defend sovereignty, treaty rights, and the future of their communities. This interactive workshop empowers teachers to bring Indigenous perspectives into their classrooms with confidence. Educators will explore powerful stories, media, and classroom-ready resources by Native creators that illuminate land rights, cultural protection, and civic engagement. Centering Indigenous voices helps challenge stereotypes, build empathy, support Native students, and foster informed, respectful dialogue for all learners. Through interactive activities and lectures teachers will: * Engage critically with Native-authored texts, examining how Indigenous voices challenge dominant narratives, reduce prejudice, and support student identity, achievement, and empathy. * Analyze representations of Indigenous peoples in media, identifying the origins and impacts of stereotypes and developing strategies to address misinformation in educational contexts. * Develop foundational knowledge of Indigenous studies, including tribal sovereignty, constitutional and treaty rights, cultural heritage, and Indigenous languages. * Apply this knowledge to teaching practice, designing curricula and learning environments that are accurate, inclusive, and responsive to Indigenous histories and contemporary realities. Dates: Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily; and two additional evening events Place: Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching & Learning Center, Carolyn Tanner Irish Pavilion – Room 201, on the Utah State University campus in Logan, Utah • Learn from Native scholars • Up to 3 academic credits or 4.5 continuing education units (CEUs) may be earned • The workshop cost can be as low as $45 for one Continuing Education Unit or take advantage of lower summer tuition for academic credit • Travel awards are available to cover lodging and mileage (if outside of Cache Valley) • Breakfast and lunch provided each day Please spread the word and plan to attend with a friend or two. Registration information is available at https://www.usu.edu/mountainwest/bennion-workshop/. Workshop Testimonials from past participants: "As a teacher from a rural area, I really appreciate that Bennion is a world-class opportunity that provides scholarly interaction with top-notch students and excellent professors from multiple universities and institutions across the country." "Scholarly engagement with world class professors provides a rich experience" "Critical for expanding my ability to grow as an educator." "The only weakness was that the magic had to end, but we will take the magic with us." Contact the Mountain West Center at mwc(a)usu.edu<mailto:mwc@usu.edu> or 435-797-0299 with any questions. Barbara Warnes Program Coordinator, Mountain West Center Molly Cannon Director, Mountain West Center [cid:image002.png@01DCBB8B.08DD4780] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://mailchi.mp/schools/u75jpwz58v>

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[Secondaryela] REMINDER: Tomorrow's Teaching Historical Texts as History & Literature Webinar
by Naomi Watkins 18 Mar '26

18 Mar '26

Webinar: Teaching Historical Texts as History and Literature Date: Thursday, March 19 Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm MST See attached flyer Description: Why do some historical documents become blueprints for the future while others are forgotten? The answer lies in the tension between a document's historical evidence and its rhetorical power. While the historian investigates the document to interpret the past, the ELA scholar deconstructs it as a crafted message engineered to move an audience. Join us for a webinar where we move beyond dry summaries to show how social studies and ELA teachers can team up to help students crack the code of influential historical texts. Presenters: Dr. Naomi Watkins, Secondary ELA Specialist, Utah State Board of Education Dr. Jeff Nokes, Associate Professor of History, Brigham Young University REGISTER<https://schools-utah-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4DHdEA7dRaizXRsstaggvQ> **Note that this webinar is part of America250 Utah<https://america250.utah.gov/> programming and events. [cid:image001.png@01DCB6E6.E9FFEFF0] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://mailchi.mp/schools/u75jpwz58v>

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[Secondaryela] New title to be removed from Utah public schools
by Naomi Watkins 13 Mar '26

13 Mar '26

From: Davina Sauthoff via K-12-library-media <library-media(a)lists.uen.org> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2026 10:17 AM Subject: [Utah K-12 Library Media] Fw: New title to be removed from Utah public schools Dear Colleagues, Please excuse any cross postings. I want to make sure you receive this information below. I encourage you to reach out if you have any questions. Warm regards, [cid:628448a3-9b2a-4102-8fdc-1569fbf5e5ad] Join the USBE Library Media list serve<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media> [cid:bd4d82c4-c9d3-4583-b80c-021c8f539391]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c9b4eddcdf24487d978ef6960a4bc233…> Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c9b4eddcdf24487d978ef6960a4bc233…> LEAs have the duty to select instructional materials that best correlate to the core standards for Utah public schools and graduation requirements. (UCA 53G-4-402(1(a)). Posting of resources by USBE staff curriculum content specialists does not imply the resources have received official endorsement of the State Board. Educators are responsible to ensure use of these materials complies with LEA policies and directives. ________________________________ From: Davina Sauthoff <Davina.Sauthoff(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:Davina.Sauthoff@schools.utah.gov>> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2026 10:12 AM Subject: New title to be removed from Utah public schools Dear LEA-appointed representatives for reporting sensitive materials, We appreciate all your efforts in the implementation of §53G-10-103 and Board Rule R277-628. As required, this email serves as communication by USBE to all LEAs that the following title has met the statewide threshold and should be removed from student access in all Utah public schools. Looking for Alaska by John Green The entire list of titles to be removed from Utah public schools, along with additional resources, can be found on the USBE library media webpage under the "Sensitive Materials" tab. It will be updated regularly as any additional titles meet the statewide threshold. Please work with district leadership and all appropriate personnel to communicate this information to all educators and staff who this may affect. I encourage you to reach out any time if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, [cid:628448a3-9b2a-4102-8fdc-1569fbf5e5ad] Join the USBE Library Media list serve<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media> [cid:bd4d82c4-c9d3-4583-b80c-021c8f539391]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c9b4eddcdf24487d978ef6960a4bc233…> Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c9b4eddcdf24487d978ef6960a4bc233…> LEAs have the duty to select instructional materials that best correlate to the core standards for Utah public schools and graduation requirements. (UCA 53G-4-402(1(a)). Posting of resources by USBE staff curriculum content specialists does not imply the resources have received official endorsement of the State Board. Educators are responsible to ensure use of these materials complies with LEA policies and directives.

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[Secondaryela] INFO: New titles to be removed from Utah public schools
by Naomi Watkins 02 Mar '26

02 Mar '26

From: Davina Sauthoff via K-12-library-media <library-media(a)lists.uen.org> Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 10:57 AM To: library-media(a)lists.uen.org Subject: [Utah K-12 Library Media] Fw: New titles to be removed from Utah public schools FYI - Please excuse any cross postings. I encourage you to reach out if you have any questions. Warm regards, [cid:56194b2d-a24f-483d-9396-7471de273585] Join the USBE Library Media list serve<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media> [cid:bec46e67-b46c-4db0-bd7c-ffa433ffcfa8]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c9b4eddcdf24487d978ef6960a4bc233…> Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c9b4eddcdf24487d978ef6960a4bc233…> LEAs have the duty to select instructional materials that best correlate to the core standards for Utah public schools and graduation requirements. (UCA 53G-4-402(1(a)). Posting of resources by USBE staff curriculum content specialists does not imply the resources have received official endorsement of the State Board. Educators are responsible to ensure use of these materials complies with LEA policies and directives. ________________________________ From: Davina Sauthoff <Davina.Sauthoff(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:Davina.Sauthoff@schools.utah.gov>> Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 10:45 AM Subject: New titles to be removed from Utah public schools Dear LEA-appointed representatives for reporting sensitive materials, We appreciate all your efforts in the implementation of §53G-10-103 and Board Rule R277-628. As required, this email serves as communication by USBE to all LEAs that the following titles have met the statewide threshold and should be removed from student access in all Utah public schools. Breathless by Jennifer Niven The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold The entire list of titles to be removed from Utah public schools, along with additional resources, can be found on the USBE library media webpage under the "Sensitive Materials" tab. It will be updated regularly as any additional titles meet the statewide threshold. Please work with district leadership and all appropriate personnel to communicate this information to all educators and staff who this may affect. I encourage you to reach out any time if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, [cid:56194b2d-a24f-483d-9396-7471de273585] Join the USBE Library Media list serve<https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/library-media> [cid:bec46e67-b46c-4db0-bd7c-ffa433ffcfa8]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c9b4eddcdf24487d978ef6960a4bc233…> Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c9b4eddcdf24487d978ef6960a4bc233…> LEAs have the duty to select instructional materials that best correlate to the core standards for Utah public schools and graduation requirements. (UCA 53G-4-402(1(a)). Posting of resources by USBE staff curriculum content specialists does not imply the resources have received official endorsement of the State Board. Educators are responsible to ensure use of these materials complies with LEA policies and directives.

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[Secondaryela] INFO: Webinar on Teaching Historical Texts as History and Literature
by Naomi Watkins 02 Mar '26

02 Mar '26

Webinar: Teaching Historical Texts as History and Literature Date: Thursday, March 19 Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm MST See attached flyer Description: Why do some historical documents become blueprints for the future while others are forgotten? The answer lies in the tension between a document's historical evidence and its rhetorical power. While the historian investigates the document to interpret the past, the ELA scholar deconstructs it as a crafted message engineered to move an audience. Join us for a webinar where we move beyond dry summaries to show how social studies and ELA teachers can team up to help students crack the code of influential historical texts. Presenters: Dr. Naomi Watkins, Secondary ELA Specialist, Utah State Board of Education Dr. Jeff Nokes, Associate Professor of History, Brigham Young University REGISTER<https://schools-utah-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4DHdEA7dRaizXRsstaggvQ> **Note that this webinar is part of America250 Utah<https://america250.utah.gov/> programming and events. [cid:image001.png@01DCAA34.19A5A660] Subscribe to the Secondary ELA Newsletter<https://mailchi.mp/schools/u75jpwz58v>

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SecondaryELA March 2026