MRA Café-Coffee and Conversations
Welcome to the March 2025 issue of the MRA Café, a monthly publication that connects our members, inspires joyful collegiality, shares insights into literacy education, and celebrates success stories.
Spring Forward into March!
Although snow may still blanket the ground and the groundhog has promised six more weeks of winter, we’re ready to spring forward into March — a season of new beginnings and transformation.
As the first green shoots push through the soil and nature begins to wake from winter’s slumber, we are reminded that growth and renewal are just around the corner. Spring reawakens not only the environment but also our passion for teaching and learning. This month, we invite you to join us at the MRA conference and embrace fresh possibilities, explore innovative strategies, and find inspiration in the promise of the season.
MRA Upcoming Events and Programming
Below are events happening this month from our councils and committees. Other events may be found on our MRA 2025 calendar. Do not miss our 54th Annual MRA Conference!
-
The Writing Rope: Integrating Reading and Writing Instruction This session presents an overview of the reading and writing rope framework (Sedita, 2019) and emphasizes Critical Thinking, Syntax, Text Structure, Writing Craft, and Transcription.
-
Setting the Standard: The Impact and Influence of ILA National Recognition with Diane Kern and J. Helen Perkins; Cracking the Code: How Classroom Teachers Can Support Students with Dyslexia with Phil Capin; and Digging into the Clinical Literacy Coaching Framework: A Coach's Playbook with Adam Brieske-Ulenski and Michelle Kelley
-
See the schedule below. Will take place at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel in Newton, MA.
-
Virtual Webinar on MTSS with Nicole Banks
2025 MRA Conference!
If you're looking to add a little spring to your step, the MRA Conference is the perfect opportunity to recharge and discover new tools to enrich your practice. If you haven't registered yet — there's still time!
The 54th Annual Massachusetts Reading Association Conference, Literacy & Language: Words Empower, Inspire, and Transform will be held March 27-28, 2025, with a Pre-Conference on the 26th, at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel in Newton, MA.
Come hear our speakers, ignite presentations, and sessions!
Literacy Inspirations
“If people did not love one another, I really don’t see what use there would be in having any Spring.”
A lot is happening throughout the month!
March 1: Zero Discrimination Day
March 3: World Wildlife Day
March 8: International Women’s Day
March 9: Daylight Savings -Set your clocks forward at 2:00 AM
March 10 – 14: Civic Learning week
March 14: Pi Day
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 20: Spring officially Begins
March 26: MRA Preconference
March 27-28: MRA Conference
March 30: International Day of Zero Waste
.The Spring Forward book recommendations below cut across age ranges but all talk about growth, change and new beginnings. From left to right you will find a poetic picture book about patience and the changing seasons; to a heartfelt story about resilience, science, and growth; to a novel-in-verse about renewal and self-discovery; and lastly, a fresh perspective on creativity and transformation.
Let’s move into this season with a sense of curiosity, connection, and commitment to literacy.
Thank you for your dedication to literacy. Together, we can ensure every student becomes a confident and capable reader, writer, and learner.
MRA information
The Massachusetts Reading Association is a professional non-profit organization of individuals whose primary purpose is to improve the quality and level of literacy in the state of Massachusetts. The MRA is affiliated with the International Literacy Association (ILA), a worldwide literacy organization. Our Mission The mission of the Massachusetts Reading Association is to promote literacy for all learners through professional development, research, publications, and advocacy.