​Let me introduce our guest contributor for the month of October. ​Kat started writing as a child and uses her positions as an author and professor at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, to serve as an advocate for creativity and effective writing instruction in schools. In 2008, she opened Michiana Writers' Center as a way to support writers of all ages through classes and workshops in the South Bend/Mishawaka area. In 2013, Kat founded the Get Inked Teen Writing Conference at Saint Mary’s College, which brings together young writers and published authors. Her YA novel, Junkyard Dogs, made the shortlist for the Indiana Author Awards.

Let me introduce our guest contributor for the month of October. 
Kat started writing as a child and uses her positions as an author and professor at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, to serve as an advocate for creativity and effective writing instruction in schools. In 2008, she opened Michiana Writers' Center as a way to support writers of all ages through classes and workshops in the South Bend/Mishawaka area. In 2013, Kat founded the Get Inked Teen Writing Conference at Saint Mary’s College, which brings together young writers and published authors. Her YA novel, Junkyard Dogs, made the shortlist for the Indiana Author Awards.

​If you're looking for something to ease you into the spooky October vibe, She Is a Haunting is just the book! I love stories where the setting is so germain to the plot that it feels like another character. Tran takes that a whole level up in her work, by placing her characters within a house that actively responds to its inhabitants due to its tragic colonial history. A quick peek at the plot: Jade's father has agreed to pay for her college, but only if she spends the summer with him in Vietnam where he is renovating a historic house. Jade quickly learns that the house is not going to passively accept her presence. 

​I was thrilled to return to the misty world of St. Hilaire from Ms. Dunbar‘s beautiful Prelude for Lost Souls, which lingered in my mind long after I turned the last page in 2020.  Romantic, heartbreaking and mysterious, the narrative weaves a potent spell in this extraordinary meditation on love and grief, on what haunts us and what makes us human. Russ Griffin, Ian Mackenzie, Willow Rogers, and Asher Mellon are fully realized characters in all their hopes and flaws. ​

​It was easy to get lost in their surprising world of vengeful ghosts and troubled mediums, desperate tourists and haunted ghost hunters dealing with love and loss, the lure of revenge and the finality of death. Nothing less than the continued existence of St. Hilaire as a haven for mediums and hope for those wishing to contact the departed hangs on the choices of these four teens. This book is perfect for paranormal mystery lovers and readers looking for a sweet LBGTQIA+ romance. ​

Our September contributor is a thirty-year teaching veteran Jenny Cameron Paulsen, who educates middle schoolers in American History and English in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She has served as an ALAN state representative and member of the Amelia Walden Award committee. In 2023, she served as the Iowa History Teacher of the Year. ​

​I can't wait till September 2nd, the magic date, which is just three days away. Our readers and followers will be able to access the three books created by the Ethical ELA community under a nurturing guidance and editorship of Sarah J. Donovan.
Remember Words That Mend and 90 Ways of Community that were featured here on August 16 and 23? These two are followed by Just YA, a collection of short stories, essays, and poetry. 

​Just YA: Short Poems, Stories, & Essays is a powerful collection of literature celebrating the diverse and dynamic experiences of contemporary youth. This open-access anthology features short texts that can be read in a single class period and are designed to spark deep conversations. Organized around themes of identity, love, place, justice, and the future, these works offer inclusive and affirming perspectives. With contributions from acclaimed young adult authors, flash fiction writers, and teacher-poets, Just YA provides educators with contemporary texts that resonate with and inspire today’s students. All content is freely available online, encouraging widespread access and use.

​All three of these books will be launched on September 2, 2024!
We will share the details about how to order these free resources online and for printing costs anywhere books are sold beginning with the launch day.
Mark your calendars:

• 09.02.2024 to get the books for FREE online.
• 09.22.2024 to celebrate online with us 2pm CT.​

I would encourage every teacher and every educator to join our celebration party via Zoom on September 22. Here is the link: https://okstate-edu.zoom.us/s/6028777200 

​Last Friday, on behalf of the Ethical ELA community of educators and poets, I introduced you to the  three forthcoming books Words That Mend, 90 Ways of Community, and Just YA edited by Sarah J. Donovan. I began with Words That Mend featuring the work of ten teachers and educators. Today, I will present the second book 90 Ways of Community. This one, too, is a free resource for educators, teachers, librarians, and parents that provides quick, accessible, and effective poetry writing exercises for secondary school students or the entire communities. 

90 Ways of Community is a practical guide to writing poetry in grades 6-12, full of sound advice, AUTHENTIC support, & beautiful poetry. Unlock the transformative power of poetry in your classroom with 90 Ways of Community. This indispensable resource guides teachers through a year-long journey of poetic engagement, fostering a safe and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and heard. Grounded in social emotional learning and trauma-informed pedagogy, the authors provide practical, adaptable lessons that seamlessly integrate poetry writing into any curriculum. Each chapter begins with a heartfelt "Dear Teacher" letter, offering context and support, while thematic clusters of prompts inspire creativity and connection. The book covers a wide range of topics, from celebrating individuality to extending community and healing through poetic expression. The authors draw on real classroom experiences and the collective wisdom of a community of teacher-poets. 90 Ways of Community is more than a collection of prompts—it's a roadmap to building a classroom culture where poetry becomes a vital tool for learning and growth. Join us in nurturing the hearts and minds of students, one poem at a time.
​

​"Words That Mend: The Transformative Power of Writing Poetry for Teachers, Students, and Community Wellbeing" is a compelling look at writing poetry as a powerful transformative agent to support teachers, their students, and community. Written by teachers for teachers, it explores the profound impact of poetry as a tool for healing and transformation. The authors candidly share their personal journeys of overcoming trauma, pain, and loss, highlighting how poetry has served as a vital step toward recovery and hope. These teachers’ warmth and love for teaching emphasize that processing traumatic or tragic events through poetry writing has become a step toward recovery and rediscovering hope at a time when the teaching profession most needs it. Through classroom experiences and community events, ten teacher poets illustrate how writing poetry within a supportive community nurtures emotional well-being not only for teachers but also for their students and families.