I wanted to attend the Science of Reading Symposium, but when I went to sign up, I discovered that it was already full. I mentioned this to Jenn Miller who suggested that I apply for vendor space. This request was immediately accepted. I was relieved to hear this bit of news since it was most fitting. I could, as a vendor, further promote the Bright Lights Book Project and pass books out to appreciative readers, who in this case would be state-wide educators.

I wasn’t sure what or how many books to bring along. Lois, a former elementary school teacher and BLBP volunteer, assisted me in carefully selecting books for kids and young adults. My ten boxes also included teacher resource materials. As I said to Lois prior to leaving Palmer, Curious George, The Bernstein Bears and Clifford the Red Dog were now embarking on a literary adventure.

Science of reading award

And what an adventure it was. Pete assisted me in setting up shop the Thursday evening before the three day symposium. After he left, I wandered around, awestruck. I’d previously attended numerous National College of Teachers of English and College Composition and Communication Conferences. It appeared as though this conference would be similar in that the focus was on literacy. However, the difference was that the Science of Reading symposium organizers were making a concerted effort in letting attendees know they appreciated their hard work as educators, by decorating the conference site with book-related artistry.

That night and following morning, I rehearsed my elevator speech, which went something like this: “Hi, I’m Alys with the Bright Lights Book Project. We salvage, sort, clean, categorize, and distribute books locally, state-wide, and nationally. . .” My speech went out the window as I was soon surrounded by educators from all parts of Alaska. I instead began asking them questions about their reading-related interests – this opened the floodgates to what was an amazing range of conversations about a variety of literacy-related topics. The same held true in talking with the other symposium vendors, who the entire time, remained attentive to the literacy and curriculum-related needs of hundreds of educators.

Most were looking for books that complemented their school’s curriculum. Others wanted books for their own children. And the rest took books that they remembered having as children. For three days, stories begot stories. If I had a takeaway, it was that these educators were here on a beautiful spring weekend because they, as educators, wanted to assist students in having what Aristotle calls, ahh haa moments, which is the click of recognition that comes in grasping reading-related concepts.

It was at 3 p.m. on Friday that I had what a teacher of mine called a happy problem – which was that I was running low on books. The problem was solved within minutes. Angela at Title Wave books offered to give me more books. And my friend Sarah, who teaches at an elementary school on JBER, went with me to pick them up. I unpacked the books and put them in my makeshift bookcases. They were gone by noon the next day. I again contacted Angela, who said that I could have more books. Two more friends went with me on a second trip to Title Wave. I again ran out of books on Sunday morning. A conference goer saved the day, by providing me with a large bin full of books she’d brought with her and had in her car.

The icing on the cake came during the Saturday lunch hour, when I, along with seven educators, were presented with awards for our literacy-related accomplishments. My award was specifically related to my continued involvement with the Bright Lights Book Project. After, several individuals who I’d previously talked to at length stopped at my booth and said that they appreciated all my hard work. I later thought that if I could go back in time, I’d have told them that, although I spearheaded this effort, it has become a community effort. Furthermore, this symposium had provided the BLBP board and volunteers with connections, which in time will complement our collective mission statement. It reads, “envisioning the power of literacy to change lives.”

Next: 126. 5/8/23: Deadlines