Announcing NCTE’s New Executive Director
October 13, 2015
The National Council of Teachers of English is pleased to announce Emily Kirkpatrick as our new executive director. Through her work as vice president of the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL), she has developed a deep appreciation for NCTE goals, initiatives, and members.
“Emily brings the right combination of organization, innovation, and compassion for this most demanding job. I feel very lucky to have her at the helm during this time of tremendous possibility,” says Ernest Morrell, past president of NCTE and chair of the executive director search committee.
NCTE members may be most familiar with Kirkpatrick as the creator of Wonderopolis® – a modern literacy platform engaging students, educators, and caregivers around nonfiction texts and high-interest topics. The site has garnered awards and wide media attention, as have other initiatives Kirkpatrick was responsible for at NCFL that leverage technology to increase access to resources, including the Aprendiendo Juntos Council to study Hispanic and Latino family use of educational technology and the National Literacy Directory – the only listing of local literacy programs in the US.
“Emily brings a passion for literacy and social change combined with an outstanding background in collaborative leadership, strategic planning, budget management, and innovative partnership that will build on the legacy of NCTE to move us forward as an organization,” says Kathy Short, president of NCTE.
In a statement issued today, Kirkpatrick explains: “Becoming executive director of NCTE is an opportunity of a lifetime. With talented members, staff, and elected leaders, NCTE is a vibrant community. The reach of the organization and the quality of its work have an incredible impact on education in our country. I am honored to become a part of amplifying the organization’s voice.
“I’ve known NCTE staff and members for years as we have worked as colleagues united around literacy. It’s a joy to formally join the organization to work across literacy, English language arts, and English studies. I look forward to working with all members, preschool through university, to compose together the next chapters of the organization’s already illustrious book.”
Kirkpatrick will participate in NCTE’s Annual Convention, November 18-22, and engage in multiple other ways to meet and learn from NCTE members in the months ahead.