Please join us in congratulating Dr. Amy Park, who has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2026 English Language Arts Teacher Educators (ELATE) James Moffett Award, presented by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

For a quarter-century, Dr. Park has been a pillar of instructional excellence and inspiration to classrooms. Her relentless focus on student-centered learning, rigorous literacy practices, and critical thinking consistently elevates our entire educational community. This national honor reflects her exceptional vision for middle school English Language Arts.

Project Overview: “Stories of Our Community”
Dr. Park received this national recognition based on her innovative project proposal, “Stories of Our Community.” Moving well beyond traditional classroom writing assignments, this inquiry-based initiative empowers middle schoolers to step into the roles of local historians and authentic storytellers. Through this project, students will:

1. Conduct Authentic Oral-History Interviews: Engage directly with local family members, elders, and community leaders to collect primary source narratives.
2. Publish for Authentic Audiences: Draft, refine, and publish compelling original prose structured for real-world readers and community display.
3. Integrate Local Heritage into Core ELA: Preserve our region’s rich culture and diverse histories while mastering essential writing, research, and communication standards.

The Moffett Award Selection Committee specifically commended Dr. Park’s proposal for its academic rigor, powerful amplification of student voice, and clear, practical bridge between classroom learning and community impact.

National Recognition Timeline
November 20, 2026: Dr. Park will be formally recognized at the ELATE Luncheon during the NCTE Annual Convention in Philadelphia, PA.

November 2027: Following the implementation and data collection phases of her project, she will present her research findings and curriculum model to educators nationwide at the NCTE Annual Convention in Chicago, IL.

We are incredibly proud to see Dr. Park’s passion, innovative spirit, and leadership recognized on the national stage. Her work brings distinction to East Hall Middle School and highlights the caliber of teaching across our entire district.

We wanted to share the fantastic news with you all!