Dear Teacher Conference 2026

writing & narrative | arts & humanities
rural & place-based education

Friday, November 6, 2026

Husson University, Bangor ME

Island Readers & Writers (IRW) is delighted to welcome educators, librarians, principals, support staff & pre-service teachers back for Dear Teacher 2026! Our fourth annual conference will take place over one day and offer more opportunities to learn as a group, network, and dive deep into popular subjects.

Our 2026 keynote speaker is author and illustrator Elizabeth Zunon, whose vibrant work celebrates culture, connection, and, of course, chocolate! We’ll feature her picture book Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate from Farm to Family.

Come JOIN US!

When: Friday, November 6, 2026

Where: Husson University, Bangor, ME

Registration opens on Wednesday, May 20, 2026!

About Our Keynote Speaker

Elizabeth Zunon

Elizabeth (Liz) Zunon grew up in the Ivory Coast of West Africa, learning English and French. She earned her bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2006, and today lives in New York working as an artist/illustrator, book-maker, and jewelry-maker. Her works are influenced from her childhood in the Ivory Coast and her amalgamation of West African and American cultures.

LEARN MORE

Visit Bookshop.org to shop IRW’s collection of Liz’s books; purchases made using our affiliate link benefit IRW’s programs.

“Dear Teacher is affirming, inspiring, and totally worth writing sub plans for in order to attend.”

—Susan Raven, Educator