Description of and Contact Information for SoMIRAC Committees
Administrators & Reading
Kathleen Wallis kmwalli@k12.carr.org
The Administrators & Reading committee shall communicate the purpose of SoMIRAC to all school system administrators; provide general information about reading /language arts of interest to administrators/supervisors/coordinators/ directors in Maryland; and upgrade the knowledge base of administrators and council presidents of the importance of keeping abreast of federal and state legislation and its impact on schools.
Advocacy/Government Relations
Suzanne F. Clewell reader1021@aol.com
The Advocacy/Government Relationships committee shall promote advocacy for literacy by communicating with the public, press, and policy makers about reading, inform SoMIRAC members about legislation regarding literacy at the state and national levels, and solicit members’ involvement in advocacy through a variety of activities.
Community Projects
Melinda Kearns mmneill@hotmail.com
The Community Projects committee shall provide local councils with suggestions for projects for community involvement and suggest ways for councils to participate in projects to support the local community.
Exemplary Reading
Chris Sparr clsparr@aol.com
The Exemplary Reading committee shall promote the IRA Exemplary Reading Program Award through local councils and state school systems, recognize and support literacy initiatives in schools, and recognize schools that exhibit an exemplary reading program as described in IRA guidelines.
Family Literacy
Jane Long jlong@wcboe.org
The Family Literacy committee will provide opportunities for families in the state of Maryland to develop print-rich homes and promote a life-long love of reading for all children and adults.
Higher Education Committee
Dorsey Hammond wdhammond@salisbury.edu
The Higher Education Committee will act as a liaison between SoMIRAC and the higher Education community of the state of Maryland.
Intellectual Freedom
Pat Richards porichards@salisbury.edu
Nancy Michelson nlmichelson@salisbury.edu
The Intellectual Freedom committee shall remain current to challenges that impact intellectual freedom rights, specifically literacy issues, as guaranteed by the United States Constitution, and be the conduit to keep the SoMIRAC Board knowledgeable of those challenges.
International Projects & Programs
Buffy Jordan buffypet@aol.com
The International Projects committee shall provide local councils with suggestions and plans for participating in service activities that benefit international literacy initiatives.
Maryland Reading Month
Susan K. Frank Susan frank@mail.cl.k12.md.us
The Maryland Reading Month committee shall share activities and programs with local councils to promote Maryland reading during the month of January beyond the classroom as a life long pursuit. The Maryland Reading Month Committee will request that the sitting governor of Maryland proclaim January as “Maryland Reading Month”.
Newsletter
Karen Mattingly kfmattingly@smcps.org
The Newsletter committee shall provide timely information regarding local and state events to members through three electronic newsletters disseminated in the fall, winter, and spring. The newsletter will be posted on the web site, as well as sent directly to members through a list serve. Local Council Presidents and State Committee chairs will submit articles in 12 point font, no longer than 1/2 page, double-spaced, of the most recent council and committee events.
Parents and Reading
Diane Sparzak jsparzak618@comcast.net
The Parents and Reading committee shall share activities and programs with local councils and parents that promote literacy and increase family involvement in reading.
Publicity
Paula Silverstein paula_silverstein@hcpss.org
The Publicity committee shall promote and publicize the goals, activities, and programs of the organization through a variety of media forms in local communities and statewide.
Scholarships & Member Grants
Bonnie Schmeltz bschmeltz@hotmail.com or bschmeltz@msde.state.md.us
The Scholarships & Member Grants committee shall organize and promote a program to award monetary scholarships to high school seniors pursuing a career in education, and to members for building learning capacity to extend and refine career endeavors. The number of scholarships and the amount awarded may vary depending on funds available. Interested students and members must apply for the scholarships. High school senior recipients will receive scholarships at their senior awards program while member scholarships will be presented at the September Board of Directors' meeting.
Secondary Literacy
Sharon Stein nsstein@comcast.net
The Secondary Literacy committee shall promote and encourage young adult reading and teacher professional development in Maryland through book lists, lists of Maryland authors, and activities and programs suitable for the secondary developmental levels.
Student Membership
Kathleen Kennedy kkennedy3@aol.com or Kathlee.Kennedy@pgcps.org
The Student Membership committee shall communicate the purposes, goals, benefits, and programs of SoMIRAC among college students, and encourage and recruit student members at Maryland colleges and universities.
Studies & Research
Mary Jo Domen mjdomen@verizon.net
The Studies & Research committee shall encourage and empower teachers to find, prove, and disseminate solutions to raise student achievement by conducting active research in the classroom. Such teacher-researchers shall apply for the scholarships to be awarded.
Teachers as Readers
Michelle Shreeves mschreeve@wcboe.org
The Teachers as Readers committee shall encourage and promote reading for pleasure among teachers; make them aware of good literature, best sellers, and classics, as well as professional texts; and keep members informed of book clubs, bookstores, and literary activities taking place in local venues. The committee will offer stipends to encourage local councils to form teachers as readers groups.
Technology
Aaron Deal adeal@wcboe.org
The Technology committee shall forward general information questions from the SoMIRAC.org website to appropriate SoMIRAC Board of Directors. Additional responsibilities of this committee include but are not limited to: maintaining and updating the website, monitoring and assessing the current service provider, and maintaining, operating, and servicing SoMIRAC-owned technology, such as laptops and LCD projectors.
Yearbook/Journal
Joy Dain jmdain@k12.carr.org
Debra Miller damiller@mcdaniel.edu
The Yearbook/Journal committee shall provide an online publication of research related to reading by soliciting research articles, reviewing articles, and selecting articles for publication.
Young Authors' Contest
Grades 2-8 Ena-Laurie Kearns enalaurie@yahoo.com
Grades 9-12 Sherry Burcham spburcham1@aol.com
The Young Authors committee shall sponsor a writing contest among students in Grades 2 through 12 at the local council and state levels, compile winning entries from the state level in an anthology, conduct a celebration for winning writers at the annual conference, and encourage local councils to conduct a celebration for local writers.