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 Orbis Pictus Award® for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Committee
The Orbis Pictus Award® was established in 1989 to promote and recognize excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children. The name Orbis Pictus, commemorates the work of Johannes Amos Comenius, Orbis Pictus—The World in Pictures (1657), considered to be the first book actually planned for children.
The award is presented at the Children’s Book Awards Luncheon at the NCTE Annual Convention.
Charge
To select the recipient of the annual Orbis Pictus Award® and up to five honor books, and to promote the use of children’s nonfiction books in the classroom.
Current Members
CHAIR:Caryl Crowell (2025)
(Retired educator, Tucson, AZ)
Carri Burns (2027)
(Nashua School District, Nashua, NH)
Jason Griffith (2025)
(Penn State University, University Park, PA)
Yoo Kyung Sung (2026)
(University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM)
Janelle Mathis (2025)
(University of North Texas, Denton, TX)
Elisa Waingort (2027)
(W.O Mitchell School, Calgary, Canada)
Melissa Wells (2025)
(University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA)
Executive Committee Liaison, Detra Price
(The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH)
NCTE Staff, Sarah Miller
Membership Application Process
Deadline: January 31
The application for 2025 is now closed. 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 1-3 new members selected each year.
- All committee work is professional volunteer service.
- Current NCTE membership is required of all committee members.
- Not currently serving on any other national book committees (ALA, IRA, NCTE, or other).
- Read all nonfiction books received in consideration for the award, typically around 700 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.