After presenting at the Utah Council of Teachers of English Convention last year, the English Department at Spanish Fork Junior High was given the opportunity to present a breakout session at the 2023 National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Ninth grade teacher Jonathan Lawrence spearheaded the application process and took the lead in preparing the team to travel and share their message about Leveraging the Power of Stories to Build Empathy and Make Greater Connections in the classroom. Showcasing proven reading and writing strategies, the team presented a variety of ways teachers can foster empathy and encourage students to view the world through another’s lens. The SFJHS English department would like to thank their principal, Chris Loveless, for affording them this great opportunity to share their best practices and to learn from other teachers in the nation.
Presenters pictured left to right:
Former SFJHS alum Joe Anson, Jonathan Lawrence, Chris Thompson, Rillene Nielsen, Susan Anderson, Robin White, and Jake Craig.