Fund a Scholar - Valerie's Talk in Lodz, Poland

VALERIE'S SCHOLARLY TALK IN LODZ, POLAND

For the past few years, you have probably not seen or heard much from me. That is because, in that time, I have taken on doctoral study in Literacy! The decision was the realization of a long-held dream to complete a Ph.D. and to thereby join the ranks of people who I have most admired, and who have been my role models. Most notably, my mother, Dr. Fran Williams, is among those and countless others who have nurtured me along the way. 

Lodz University, Poland 

I was working toward this goal privately, diligently until breast cancer touched my life in 2011. At the time, I felt my dream would never be realized. But, through God’s grace and the support of loved ones, family and friends, I survived!  So, in 2018, when the opportunity arose to fulfill my dream via online study through St. John’s University, Queens, I jumped at the chance. To say it’s been a blessing is an understatement! Dr. Evan Ortlieb, my admissions advisor, who is also a cancer survivor, warmly welcomed me into the program. Since then, I’ve not looked back!

My study has renewed my sense of purpose and joie de vivre; and, my program aligns with my aspirations to create and publish the next volume of my children’s book series. The Cocoa Kids Collection is gaining ground as a learning program with a solid academic and pedagogical foundation. These books aim to help children of color see themselves positively in media, to support their self-efficacy development, and to recognize the value of their lives and their stories, all while improving the literacy.

So far, my scholarship is being well-received. My first peer-reviewed journal article (see the citation below) for which I am the lead author has been published and my most recent proposal has been accepted. As a result, I've been invited to give my first international presentation at the Cultural Literacy in Europe Symposium to be held in May 2020 in Lodz, Poland. There, I will present original work that addresses the conference theme, Research in the Arts, the Arts in Research.  

To date, this has been a self-funded endeavor; but it is not one I can complete alone. That's why I am reaching out to family and friends, new and old, for financial support. Through this Go Fund Me campaign, I seek to raise the funds necessary for my participation in the Spring conference. Here's the breakout:

Expenses
     Travel -- Round trip to Lodz, Poland  .................................... $2,000.00
     Hotel accommodations (5 nights) ......................................... $1,500.00
     Conference registration  ........................................................... $   500.00
     Presentation expenses ............................................................... $   500.00
     Meals ................................................................................................. $   500.00
                                                                                           Grand Total         $5,000.00

Your support and contribution will go toward covering costs for the meeting for which registration is due January 2020. My campaign, however, will run through April. I will book travel and accommodations as soon as it is financially viable.  Please give whatever you can, and feel free to contact me with any questions.  No amount is too small, and every bit of support is appreciated.

Sincerely,
Valerie ~

Valerie L. Williams-Sanchez
Literacy Doctoral Student
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY
School of Education 
www.VWilliamsSanchez.org
www.ValorenaOnline.com

New Publication: Williams-Sanchez, V. L. (2019). The Brownies' Book. The Reading Professor, 42(1), 5.