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 51ÁÔÆæ forward?
Serve
- Achievement Awards in Writing Advisory Committee
- Committee on Affiliates
- Committee Against Censorship
- Build Your Stack® Committee
- 51ÁÔÆæ Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children
- 51ÁÔÆæ Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
- Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity
- 51ÁÔÆæ 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
- 51ÁÔÆæ Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children
- 51ÁÔÆæ Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
- Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity
- 51ÁÔÆæ 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
51ÁÔÆæ Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
Charge
To recommend every two years a living American poet or anthologist to receive the 51ÁÔÆæ Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in recognition of their aggregate work.
To establish an annual list of Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels published in the current year by any poet, living or deceased, and of any nationality.
To recognize and foster excellence in children’s poetry by encouraging its publication.
To explore ways to acquaint teachers and children with poetry through such means as publications, programs, and displays.
Current Members
CHAIR: Jongsun Wee (2027)
(Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR)
Darryn Diuguid (2026)
(McKendree University, Lebanon, IL)
Glenda Funk (2026)
(Pocatello/Chubbuck S.D. #25, Pocatello, ID)
Amanda Montgomery (2028)
(Park Street Elementary, Marietta, GA)
Ruth Quiroa (2028)
(51ÁÔÆæ Louis University, Lisle, IL)
Kasey Short (2027)
(Charlotte Country Day School, Charlotte, NC)
April Halprin Wayland (2026)
(Author, Instructor at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, Los Angeles, CA)
Executive Committee Liaison, Detra Price
(The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH)
51ÁÔÆæ Staff, Sarah Miller
51ÁÔÆæ Application Process
Deadline: December 1
is now open. Please contact 51ÁÔÆæCommittees@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 2-3 new members selected each year.
- All committee work is professional volunteer service.
- Current 51ÁÔÆæ membership is required of all committee members.
- Read all poetry books received in consideration for the award, typically around 200 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 51ÁÔÆæ Annual Convention, where the final deliberation meeting and the 51ÁÔÆæ 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 51ÁÔÆæ Annual Convention attendance (Convention registration, travel, lodging, and food). 51ÁÔÆæ scholarships for Convention registration are typically available, and committee members are welcome to apply. If institutional funds are available from your employer, 51ÁÔÆæ 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.