Mission
The Kentucky Reading Association
is a professional organization of educators and individuals actively engaged in
the development of literacy throughout the Commonwealth. We are committed to encouraging
lifelong reading for pleasure and learning, providing information related to literacy,
increasing opportunities for professional growth, and promoting research-based instructional
practices.
History
The Kentucky Reading Association
was chartered in l963 as the Kentucky State Council, International Reading Association
in order to:
1) promote the development
of local councils;
2) encourage the study of
reading problems at all educational levels;
3) stimulate and promote
research in developmental, creative, corrective, and remedial reading;
4) study the various factors
that influence progress in reading;
5) publish the results of
pertinent and significant investigations and practices;
6) assist in the development
of more adequate teacher-training programs;
7) act as intermediate clearing
house for information relating to reading;
8) disseminate knowledge
helpful in the solution of problems related to reading; and
9) sponsor and promote stimulating
programs (conferences and meetings) at a level not usually attainable by a local
council.
The original by-laws for
the council were adopted March 2, 1963 but they have been revised several times
over the years. In April, 1994 the name of the council was changed from the Kentucky
State Council, International Reading Association (KSC/IRA) to the Kentucky Reading
Association, K.R.A.
Elected officers of the
KRA originally included president, vice-president, vice-president elect, treasurer,
recording secretary, and corresponding secretary. Later the offices of recording
and corresponding secretary were combined. The elected officers serve on the Board
of Directors. Other members of the Board include a state coordinator appointed by
the IRA, a representative from the Kentucky Department of Education, presidents
of all active local councils, and nine appointed board members representing all
areas of the state.
From the beginning the Kentucky
State Council (now KRA) was affiliated with the International Reading Association
and many of the state council members served on national committees and advisory
groups. The council has been represented at national conventions by designated delegates
and it has participated in IRA leadership training and other IRA sponsored activities.
The council sponsored an IRA Southeast Regional Conference which was held in
Lexington
.
Past Presidents
The following past presidents
are among the many loyal reading educators who have been involved with the KRA over
the years:
Mary Elizabeth Bell 1963-1964
Eleanor Engdahl 1964-1965
Virginia Fulcher 1965-1966
Wallace Ramsey 1966-1967
Betsy Mynhier 1967-1968
Evelyn Huff 1968-1969
Robert Byrne 1969-1970
William Hampton 1970-1971
Irene Reynolds (Lunsford)
1971-1972
Curtis Englebright 1972-1973
Dorothy Alexander 1973-1974
Yancy Watkins 1974-1975
Dorothy Jones 1975-1976
Judy Lay 1976-1977
James Gibbs 1977-1978
Judy Thomas (Duby) 1978-1979
Leanna Shearer (Austin)
1979-1980
Bertha Ratliff 1980-1981
Janet Miller 1981-1982
Tom Pearce 1982-1983
Joseph Clark 1983-1984
Jean Groves Merrell 1985-1986
Nicole Woodward 1986-1987
Shirley Byrne 1987-1988
Emily M. Cunningham 1988-1989
Nancy H.Todd 1989-1990
Rebecca B. Tonietti 1990-1991
JoAnna Dickey 1991-1992
Sharon Martin 1992-1993
Benita Buckles 1993-1994
Jean Roberts 1994-1995
Jill Hughes 1995-1996
Janel deBoer 1996-1997
Ann Curry Ruff 1997-1998
Joyce Creek
1998-1999
Shirley Long 1999-2000
Judy Ihrig 2000-2001
Renee Murray 2001-2002
Harriet Arrington 2002-2003
Beverly Boulware 2003-2004
Laura Crafton 2004-2005
Faye Deters 2005-2006
Felicia Cumings Smith 2006-2007
Brenda J. Overturf 2007-2008
Tiffany Wheeler 2008-2009
Tammy Board 2009-2010
Tammy Board 2010-2011
Cindy Parker 2011-2012
Diana Porter 2012-2013