MEA Fall Representative Assembly is Saturday

Michigan author to receive association award

Hundreds of MEA members will gather at the Lansing Center Saturday to attend MEA’s Fall Representative Assembly, where a renowned author will be given the association’s highest honor.

Patricia Polacco is known by teachers, librarians, and parents as a unique and talented author who educates and communicates with children. She will receive the 2009 Distinguished Service Award.

A Michigan native, Polacco has written and illustrated dozens of children’s books that are favorites in libraries and homes everywhere.

Coming from a family of storytellers, Polacco uses her skills as both a writer and visual artist to convey positive messages and important lessons to children through her books, many of which are based on her own childhood experiences. As a child, she overcame dyslexia with the help of her family, her dedicated educators and her artistic skills – an experience she shares in her book, Thank you, Mr. Falker. She is a frequent speaker at schools, using her engaging personality and speaking style to bring her books to life for Michigan’s students.

In addition to the award, delegates attending the Representative Assembly will receive updates on several new business items from the Spring 2009 Representative Assembly, including proposals to provide grants to local leaders for release time and to organize privatized substitute teachers.

Updated: October 20, 2009