Awards

Linda Rief Voices from the Middle Award

2023 Recipient

“‘Yo, You Got Mad Skills!’ Using Hip-Hop to Cultivate Genius and Critical Literacy Skills in Middle Schoolers” (Vol. 30, No. 2, December 2022) by H. Bernard Hall and Michele Devirgilio

H. Bernard Hall, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Urban Teacher Education at Drexel University in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum. His teaching and research interests include urban teacher education and development, social justice–oriented approaches to secondary English education, and critical hip-hop pedagogy. Dr. Hall is founder of the Hip-Hop (W)righting Workshop, a hip-hop-based literacy program for middle school students in Philadelphia and community college students in Baltimore.

Michele DeVirgilio, EdD, has been teaching secondary ELA in New York for 23 years, most of which have been in eighth grade. She is also an adjunct professor and professional developer committed to helping pre- and inservice educators realize the possibilities of antiracist teaching and learning in secondary ELA classrooms.

Award Details

Nomination are not accepted for this award.

Purpose:
This award recognizes an outstanding publication in Voices from the Middle written or co-written by classroom teachers or literacy coaches. Many of today’s recognized authors and experts published their early work in Voices from the Middle, and this award aims to support the development of future voices to lead our profession forward.

Eligibility:
The outstanding work must have been published between September and May of the previous volume year. At least 50% of the named contributing authors must be middle level preservice or practicing teachers or literacy coaches at the time of publication. This may include those on leave or on special assignment. All published works that meet this eligibility requirement will be considered; no additional submission is required. The published work may be print or digital, article, vignette, or other form. Up to two honorable mentions may be named each year.

Award Criteria:
Upon meeting eligibility requirements, a published work will be selected based on the following four criteria:

• Timeliness to the field
• Features authentic classroom voices
• Practical application of ideas to other middle level classrooms
• Significant attention to craft and intended audience