Get Involved
We are the organization we are today because of the expertise, time, and energy of our members. What role will you play in moving NCTE forward?
Serve
- Achievement Awards in Writing Advisory Committee
- Committee on Affiliates
- Committee Against Censorship
- Build Your Stack® Committee
- NCTE Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children
- NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
- Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity
- Committee on Global Citizenship
- NCTE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, + (LGBTQIA+) Advisory Committee
- Committee on Literacy Assessment
- Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children’s Literature Committee
- Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines Committee
- Promising Young Writers Advisory Committee
- Public Language Award Committee
- Committee Against Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English
- Committee on Research
- Achievement Awards in Writing Advisory Committee
- Committee on Affiliates
- Committee Against Censorship
- Build Your Stack® Committee
- NCTE Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children
- NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
- Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity
- Committee on Global Citizenship
- NCTE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, + (LGBTQIA+) Advisory Committee
- Committee on Literacy Assessment
- Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children’s Literature Committee
- Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines Committee
- Promising Young Writers Advisory Committee
- Public Language Award Committee
- Committee Against Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English
- Committee on Research
NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
Charge
To recommend every two years a living American poet or anthologist to receive the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in recognition of their aggregate work.
To establish an annual list of Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels published in the current year by any poet, living or deceased, and of any nationality.
To recognize and foster excellence in children’s poetry by encouraging its publication.
To explore ways to acquaint teachers and children with poetry through such means as publications, programs, and displays.
Current Members
CHAIR: Junko Sakoi (2025)
(Tucson Unified School District, Tucson, AZ)
Willeena Booker (2025)
(Hatboro-Horsham School District, Horsham, PA)
Darryn Diuguid (2026)
(McKendree University, Lebanon, IL)
Glenda Funk (2026)
Pocatello/Chubbuck S.D. #25, Pocatello, ID)
April Halprin Wayland (2026)
(Author, Instructor at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, Los Angeles, CA)
Jongsun Wee (2026)
(Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR)
Executive Committee Liaison, Detra Price
(The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH)
NCTE Staff, Sarah Miller
Membership Application Process
Deadline: January 31
To be considered for membership on the Poetry Award Committee, submit the application form, which requires a current vitae or resume, and one example of a book annotation, book review, or evaluative comments about a recent poetry book. This example should be written by the applicant. Please contact NCTECommittees@ncte.org with any questions.
- Chair of the Committee (serves 2 year appointment).
- Seven members representing various regions of the United States and professions (academic, classroom teacher, librarian, etc).
- Members serve a 3 year appointment with 2-3 new members selected each year.
- All committee work is professional volunteer service.
- Current NCTE membership is required of all committee members.
- Read all poetry books received in consideration for the award, typically around 200 annually.
- Participation in all committee work and several online meetings throughout the year is vital to the selection of quality books that speak to the award’s specific purpose.
- Only one in-person meeting is required each year in November. This meeting intentionally coincides with the NCTE Annual Convention, where the final deliberation meeting and the NCTE Children’s Book Awards Luncheon (where winners are honored and announced) are held. Annual in-person attendance is an important part of committee member responsibilities.
- Applicants should be prepared to pay, if selected for the committee, for all expenses related to NCTE Annual Convention attendance (Convention registration, travel, lodging, and food). NCTE scholarships for Convention registration are typically available, and committee members are welcome to apply. If institutional funds are available from your employer, NCTE can provide any needed documentation to apply for or receive reimbursement.
Committee members may be removed at any time during the three-year appointment if they do not fulfill the expectations and responsibilities stated above.