President's Message

June 22, 2012

Dear GWRC Members!

It is with sincere pleasure I welcome you as part of our professional reading organization. The Greater Washington Reading Council (GWRC) is a professional association of educators and other interested persons dedicated to promoting literacy in its community and beyond.  This association is an affiliate of the Virginia State Reading Association and the International Reading Association. Did you know this year marks the 55^th year since the Greater Washington Reading Council (GWRC) was first chartered as a reading council?

As a council, located in the suburban Washington DC area, GWRC services a diverse population with a wide variety of needs. A vast array of programs and projects are important to provide literacy support to the learning community. Programs and projects provide members with opportunities for professional growth, for supporting classroom research, and keeping informed of current research in the field.  GWRC provides members with opportunities to serve the community as advocates for literacy at the local, state, and national levels.

The goals of our organization are:

1. Increase opportunities for professional growth and literacy support.

2. Increase membership at local state, and international levels.

3. Promote and support literacy in the community through local, state, and international levels.

4. Promote the concept of reading professionals as researchers, reflective practitioners, and leaders in education.

5. Provide literacy information to the membership and the community.

 Some of the activities our council will provide are:

• Provide professional growth opportunities through the Fall Conference 2011 Timothy Rasinski

• Council-wide community outreach project, Teachers as Readers, local community outreach, and professional development grants.

• Recognition of members through Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year programs.

• Support Literacy through local and international community outreach programs and service projects.

• Communicate with members and prospective members through newsletters, email, and website.

• Establish liaisons to special groups, organizations, and interests, such as Special Education, VSRA, IRA, ESOL, etc.

• Support the goals of both IRA and VSRA by promoting attendance and participation in activities at the state, national, and international levels.

 I thank you for your interest in our council and welcome you to become a member. We are proud of our members and their dedication to promoting literacy in their communities and around the world!

Sincerely,
Dr. Tiffany Brocious, NBCT
GWRC President