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 NCTE forward?
Serve
- Achievement Awards in Writing Advisory Committee
- Standing Committee on Affiliates
- Standing Committee Against Censorship
- Build Your Stack® Committee
- NCTE Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children
- NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
- Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity
- Standing Committee on Global Citizenship
- NCTE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, + (LGBTQIA+) Advisory Committee
- Standing 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 Awards Committee
- Committee Against Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English
- Standing Committee on Research
- Achievement Awards in Writing Advisory Committee
- Standing Committee on Affiliates
- Standing Committee Against Censorship
- Build Your Stack® Committee
- NCTE Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children
- NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
- Standing Committee on Diversity and Inclusivity
- Standing Committee on Global Citizenship
- NCTE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, + (LGBTQIA+) Advisory Committee
- Standing 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 Awards Committee
- Committee Against Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English
- Standing Committee on Research
NCTE Children’s Poetry Awards Committee
Charge
To recommend every two years a living American poet or anthologist to receive the NCTE 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: Junko Sakoi (2025)
(Tucson Unified School District, Tucson, AZ)
Willeena Booker (2025)
(Hatboro-Horsham School District, Horsham, PA)
Darryn Diuguid (2026)
(McKendree University, Lebanon, IL)
Glenda Funk (2026)
Pocatello/Chubbuck S.D. #25, Pocatello, ID)
Joe Pizzo (2024)
(Black River Middle School, Chester, NJ)
April Halprin Wayland (2026)
(Author, Instructor at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, Los Angles, CA)
Jongsun Wee (2026)
(Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR)
Executive Committee Liaison, Maria Franquiz
(University of Texas at Austin, TX)
NCTE Staff, Sarah Miller
Membership Application Process
Application Deadline: December 1
To be considered for membership on the Poetry Award Committee, submit the application form, current vitae or resume, and one example of a book annotation, book review, or evaluative comments about a recent fiction book. This example should be written by the applicant. Please contact NCTECommittees@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.
- Current NCTE member.
- Participate in all activities of the committee during the year including online discussions.
- Attend the NCTE Annual Convention during the three years of membership on the committee.
- Present at the NCTE Annual Convention during the Poetry session(s).
- Attend the Children’s Book Awards Luncheon during the NCTE Annual Convention when the Poetry Award winner is recognized and announced.
Committee members may be removed at any time during the three-year appointment if they do not fulfill the expectations and responsibilities stated above.