Children's Choices Team Leader Application

Children's Choices, a joint project of the International Literacy Association (ILA) and the Children's Book Council (CBC), needs the following information to select new team leaders. We consider numerous factors, such as geographical representation, number of students, type of population, leadership and professional involvement, attendance at ILA's annual conference, interest and support of selected schools, and reason for applying.

Deadline to submit application for the 2020–2023 term is March 31, 2020.

Name

Shipping Address for Books

Shipping Address for Books 2

City

State

Zip Code

Contact Telephone Number

Email Address * 🛈

Confirm Email Address * 🛈

ILA Membership Number *

Job Title

We are looking for team leaders in the following areas of the United States, which involves a commitment to a three-year term as a team leader. Please check the area you would like to represent.

2020–2023

Area 1: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington

Area 2: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Area 4: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming

Area 5: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

NOTE: If the area in which your state is found is not currently in need of a team leader, you may still apply, and your application will be kept on file for future openings.

Teams (young readers) consist of 2,500 children, no more, no less; 1,000 are readers in grades K–2; 750 are readers in grades 3–4; 750 are readers in grades 5–6. This balance is fixed so that each team has the same number of participants at each reading level. The figures are firm. Ideally, readers should be heterogeneous, representing a variety of communities and socioeconomic populations. Please provide a list of the schools where you plan to place the books. Please include the following information: name of school, number of students, grade levels, socioeconomic status (including whether the student population includes historically underserved or minoritized groups), and if the area is rural/urban/suburban. This is an important consideration in selecting team leaders.

List of Schools *

You can upload up to 5 lists of schools.

There must be a lot of cooperation, support, and enthusiasm for Children's Choices from at least three sources other than team leaders. Please provide letters from the administrators of participating schools, school districts, or the appropriate departments (if a university is involved) who wholeheartedly support this project.

Letters of Support *

You can upload up to 5 letters of support.

Additional Information

Teams have repeatedly advised us that the activity can break down in the classroom if teachers are not enthusiastic supporters.

Are you sure that classroom teachers and, when applicable, building-level librarians would be active members of your team?

Yes

No

As team leader, you will receive multiple copies of upward of 900 titles to be recorded, categorized, and distributed to reviewers. You are responsible for maintaining records, collating rating sheets, reporting tabulations, and writing annotations.

Do you have sufficient administrative staff or volunteers to assist your team with this work?

Yes

No

All teams must have their own supplies (e.g., containers for book circulation), and must prepare materials for readers (e.g., ballots). These materials are essential to the team’s success and the cost is minimal.

Do you have, or will you be able to secure, funds for this purpose?

Yes

No

Your participation as a team leader involves a three-year commitment. The first year you serve as a trainee, the second as a team leader, and the third as a team leader/mentor who guides a trainee to take over your area. Trainees and team leaders must attend both the Children's Choices planning session and project session at ILA's annual conference. Can you ensure attendance at these sessions each year of your term (making sure to consider any professional development funding needs)?

Can you make this commitment? *

Yes

No

Additional Comments

Please briefly state your interest in participating in the Children’s Choices project and explain your goals regarding this opportunity.

I understand and agree that I cannot be involved in any other ILA project dealing with book selection while serving on the Children's Choices project. *

Agree

Deadline to submit application is March 31, 2020.