More About Steve

Dr. Steven L. Layne serves as full time Professor of Literacy Education at Judson University in Elgin, IL. His vast array of experience working at multiple grade levels in the public schools allows him a unique camaraderie with teachers and librarians and his award-winning books for children and young adults add another appealing element to his dynamic presentations. He is a frequent keynote speaker at large conferences and gatherings of literacy educators and librarians throughout the world. In addition, Steve continues to do a few school appearances each year as a guest author and provides inservice for schools throughout the nation.

Steve has been honored with numerous awards for his work as an educator and researcher. In 2001, he received one of the Milken Foundation's National Awards for Teaching Excellence in the amount of $25,000.00. He was also named to the 2001 All-Teacher Team by USA TODAY newspaper and was chosen as the Edwin A. Hoey Award Winner for U. S. Outstanding Teacher at the junior high level by NCTE in 2001. Steve was the 2000 ICARE for Reading Award winner and the 1999 Reading Teacher of the Year in Illinois. In addition, his doctoral dissertation research garnered the Outstanding Researcher Award from Northern Illinois University's College of Education Alumni Council as well as the Winn Research Award given by the State of Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development in 1997.

The Children's Book Council (CBC) is a highly respected organization in the publishing industry that works cooperatively with booksellers, publishers, author, and illustrators to promote quality children's books. Each month for the past several years, the CBC has featured a Meet The Author column where invited authors/illustrators pen some words about their history and/or their craft. Following a speech at the IRA/CBC Awards Program in May of 2005, Steve was invited to write an article for this column.

Steve's interest in state and community literacy organizations has led to active leadership positions on the boards of the Northern Illinois Reading Council and Literacy Volunteers of America's Fox Valley Affiliate. He has also served as a reader for the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader Award Committee and been active in the DuPage Literacy Roundtable. Steve has been a member of several committees for the Illinois Reading Council throughout his involvement with the organization and currently serves as its past president.

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