Crisan Crozzoli and Anne D'Amico, two passionate educators from Newburgh, NY, will present at the 2025 New York State Reading Association (NYSRA) Conference in Buffalo this November. Together with their 5th-grade students from Balmville Elementary School, Crozzoli and D'Amico embarked on an inspiring equity-based inquiry project, Where I'm From, Who I Am: Celebrating Student Identity Through Poetry. Under the guidance of Dr. Jevon Hunter, this impactful project encouraged students to explore and express their personal histories, cultural backgrounds, and unique experiences through the art of poetry.

Though Anne D'Amico is no longer at Balmville, she continues her work with Newburgh schools, and both educators are eager to share the remarkable work of their students. In their session, Crozzoli and D'Amico will highlight how this project empowered students to voice their identities and fostered a deeper sense of belonging in the classroom. Their hope is to inspire other educators to take on similar equity-based inquiry projects, using literacy as a tool for both self-expression and social justice. The presentation promises to be a powerful exploration of student voice and the transformative power of education.