Teacher | Author | Advocate
Books
In this section, you'll find a variety of resources available for download including reading lists, mentor texts, quick writes, workshop handouts, samples of my writing, and what I'm reading.
Teaching
Resources
“
One of the words that you used with us, Tom, as our editor was options, and I think that's such an important word. Does a student have an array of options to choose from? Do they understand that there are lots of ways to begin a piece of writing no matter what genre it is. And then do they know ways that authors have written those kinds of things? So they can look at a text and say, oh, I see what this author is doing.
“
I had to say, you know what, there are kids in this room who know how to do things better than me. So if you want to learn how to do X, you're over here in this group, and if you want to learn how to do Y, you're over there in that group. And then I would sit in, in the groups and I would try to learn another move that I could make an iMovie or something like that.
“
But as the book club progressed, their questions were deeper. Their responses became just increasingly serious. What was that one kids, this book was a godsend to me when of Kelly's said, because I'm half Mexican, half white and Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Pena really said something to him. It was such a vulnerable moment and he posted it and then other kids could respond to that with their own understandings of the book. It was this wonderful way to bridge two cultures as well.
Excerpts From The Podcast
Penny Kittle
Kelly Gallagher
Penny Kittle
Penny speaks on topics in literary education K-12 throughout North America and across the world. She frequently works as a teacher in residence, co-teaching
and planning alongside classroom teachers.
If you are interested in booking Penny Kittle for a speaking event, please contact michelle.flynn@heinemann.com.
Conferences
& Workshops
Upcoming Events
My apologies for having to cancel TCTELA and CCIRA this winter. I am still in a cast after a fall on ice. I hope to see you later in 2026. If you are interested in booking me for 2027, please contact Cheryl.Savage@heinemann.com.
February 12-13, Agnes Irwin School, Rosemont, PA
February 19-20, Reading for the Love of It! Conference, Toronto, CA
February 26, Kennebunk School District, Kennebunk, ME
February 26, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
March 9, Kennebunk School District, Kennebunk, ME
March 11, WPCTE, Western Pennsylvania
March 13, Literacy Promise Conference, Salt Lake City, UT
March 19-22, Book Love Foundation board retreat
April 11, University of Arkansas
May 11, Kennebunk School District, Kennebunk, ME
May 28, Austin, TX
June 3, Lit Love Conference, Leander, TX
June 14-17, Tyrolia Writers Retreat, Waco, TX
October 29-30, Utah Valley University, Provo, UT
November 19-22, NCTE in Philadelphia, PA