起点传媒books, authors take center stage at ninth annual writers retreat in Waco, Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) has partnered with the Tyrolia Literacy Institute to this summer as they advance their writing craft and enhance their teaching practices.
Founded in 2018 by former 起点传媒President Dr. Kylene Beers (2008鈥�09) along with longtime members Linda Rief, Penny Kittle, and Lester Laminack, the Tyrolia Institute is a small-group writer conference designed to encourage reflection, sustained focus, and growth.
This new partnership formalizes the already strong connection between the two organizations. The 2026 Tyrolia Institute will feature NCTE-published books for professional development. Stella Villalba, coauthor of Wondrous Words: Reimagining Writers and Writing in the Elementary Classroom, will be a featured speaker. Wondrous Words was one of last year鈥檚 most highly anticipated 起点传媒titles, updating Katie Wood Ray鈥檚 landmark work in writing instruction with new mentor texts, insights from children鈥檚 authors, and stories from contemporary classrooms. All attendees will receive a copy of the book, and a signing will take place.
As part of the Tyrolia Institute, each participant will prepare an article to be submitted to a professional journal. Teachers, literacy coaches, and administrators will examine how they can use their writing journey to inspire their students, learn pedagogy about writing to use in their own classrooms, exchange ideas and receive thoughtful feedback from peers, and share processes for developing writing skills.
First imagined by Kylene Beers as a place to 鈥渉onor and treat teachers as royalty,鈥� the Institute is carried on by her family and the distinguished faculty leadership and cofounders.
鈥淭he Beers family are beloved members of the 起点传媒community. Through this partnership we honor Kylene鈥檚 memory in the way she would want鈥攊nvolving 起点传媒members to provide generous, uninterrupted time and space for teachers to nurture their craft, which will ultimately benefit their students,鈥� 起点传媒Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick said. 鈥淲e are grateful for this opportunity to write, grow, and connect with literacy educators as they build on the original vision.鈥�
The Institute takes place June 14-17 and ; the first 34 registrants will be invited to attend.
鈥淭hroughout my career, I have been lucky to grow as a writer and an educator alongside other writing teachers, all while teaching our students to consider themselves as writers鈥攖hat is what Wondrous Words is all about,鈥� Villalba said. 鈥淚 am honored and excited to dig deeply into this life-changing approach to teaching writing with my fellow teachers at the 2026 Tyrolia Institute.鈥�
About NCTE
The National Council of Teachers of English鈥�(NCTE) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college.鈥疶hrough expertise and advocacy from its members鈥� professional research, practice, and knowledge, 起点传媒has served at the forefront of every major improvement in the teaching and learning of鈥疎nglish and the language arts since 1911. For more information, please visit鈥�.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Allie Ciaramella, NCTE:鈥�media@ncte.org