CATE 2014

Richard Lederer, former English teacher, author of more than 40 books about language, history, and humor, and founding co-host of “A Way With Words” on public radio, has been a featured speaker at local conferences and previous CATE conventions. We welcome him back to share his most recent experiences, including his new syndicated newspaper column, “Lederer on Language,” which appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States, including the San Diego Union-Tribune, and his current books, The Gift of Age, A Tribute to Teachers, American Trivia, and Amazing Words.

Visit his website at: http://www.verbivore.com

Sharon Draper taught high school English in Cincinnati, Ohio, until her retirement. She was one of the first National Board Certified Teachers in the country. Her writing career started as a challenge from her students who asked her why she didn’t enter a writing contest. Her first book, Tears of a Tiger, and the sequels Forged by Fire and Darkness Before Dawn, are guaranteed hits with students. Since then she has written over 25 books, including two for teachers, and is this year’s California Young Reader Medal winner for Out of My Mind, in the middle school/junior high category. She will be honored at this luncheon.

Visit her website at: http://www.sharondraper.com

T. A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country and returned there to write after a successful career in business. Since then he has written 25 novels, children’s books, and nature books. His series about Merlin is popular with students. In 2000 he founded a national award to honor outstanding young people who help their communities or the environment: the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. His nonfiction stories of courageous, The Hero’s Trail and his documentary Dream Big, inspire young people to “pay it forward.”

Visit his website at: http://www.tabarron.com

Zohreh Ghahremani, daughter of a tribal man from Khorasan in Iran, was a pediatric dentist for 25 years before she decided to follow her dream of writing. Her first novel, Sky of Red Poppies, about two schoolgirls coming of age in Iran during the rule of the Shah, was chosen as a One Book, One San Diego selection. Her second novel, The Moon Daughter, was recently published. She is a popular speaker in classrooms and book clubs throughout San Diego. She lives in La Jolla, California, with her husband, where in addition to writing she pursues her love of art.

Visit her website at: http://www.zoeghahremani.com

Ellen Hopkins has led a varied life, starting with her adoption by an older couple and growing up in the Palm Springs of the 1950s, to adopting her own son and founding a charity that helps disadvantaged youth find safe housing and career goals. She is the author of 11 young adult novels-in-verse, with five more in the works. Her one-word titled works (Crank, Burned, Impulse, Glass) appeal to students because of their frank insight and unique presentation. She is a regular speaker at schools, book festivals and writers conferences, and mentors other writers through the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Visit her website at: http://ellenhopkins.com.

Taylor Mali, a former teacher who is a strong advocate for education and has persuaded 1000 people to join the profession, is the author of What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World. He is also one of the most well-known poets to have emerged from the poetry slam movement and now makes his living solely as a spoken word artist. He is the author of two books of poetry and the former president of Poetry Slam, Inc., which oversees all poetry slam events in North America. His last appearance as a speaker at CATE inspired hundreds of teachers to incorporate spoken word poetry into their classrooms.

Visit his website at: http://taylormali.com.