Comics Conventions are great resources for professional development. More and More conventions are offering panels specifically with teachers and librarians in mind.
Below are examples of panels sponsored by Pop Culture Classroom at the upcoming Emerald City ComicCon in Seattle. If you’re in the area, please come by and learn more about graphic literature in the classroom.
Welcome to Comics!: The Educator’s Guide to Comics
You have questions, and we have answers! Join this roundtable of educators, creators, and publishers as they share a slew of tips, tricks, and strategies for using comics and graphic novels in today’s classrooms. Along the way, panelists will touch on everything from lesson planning to digital resources to personal challenges they’ve overcome, then spend some time answering whatever questions you might have!
Location: Seattle Public Library, Level 1 – Microsoft Auditorium
Day: Thursday, 3/14
Time: 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
The Graphic Novel Survival Guide: Tips, Strategies and Tools for Building Your Graphic Novel Classroom
Let’s be honest: Bringing graphic novels into the classroom can be tough. In this panel, you’ll learn how educators across the country have successfully incorporated graphic novels into their classrooms facing low budgets, little support and even less time. From running after-school clubs to building your graphic novel stockpile to fundraising strategies, you’ll will walk away with a host of tips and resources that will help you and your students thrive.
Location: Seattle Public Library, Level 1 – Microsoft Auditorium
Day: Thursday, 3/14
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Graphic Nonfiction: An Introduction
From graphic memoirs to webcomics to historical retellings, the graphic nonfiction genre is on the rise. How do creators successfully convey these complex personal stories, histories, and scientific concepts with only text and images? And why now? Hear from a panel of creators, publishers, and educators about why they think comics and graphic novels are increasing in popularity, new opportunities they may offer, and what it means for the future of teaching graphic novels.
Location: Seattle Public Library – Level 4 – Room 2 (1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104)
Day: Thursday, 3/14
Time: 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
99 Problems But a Comic Ain’t One: Comics as Therapy
Comics have always been a source of solace, and in today’s world that is truer than ever before. From schools to prison to treatment centers, comics are increasingly being used today as forms of therapy and support for youth and adults. Join a group of teachers, industry leaders and artists in this panel discussion of how comics can help us and our students address and tackle some of the biggest problems in our personal lives.
Location: Seattle Public Library – Level 4 – Room 2(1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104)
Day: Thursday, 3/14
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Inclusive Comics 101: Or, Comics for the Rest of Us
Like people, comics come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities – more so today than ever before. In this panel, hear from educators, publishers, and creators about how comics today are breaking down barriers and where they see the comics medium heading in the near future. As a bonus, panelists will provide attendees with a list of inclusive and diverse comics for you to check out at home or in the classroom!
Location: Seattle Public Library, Level 1 – Microsoft Auditorium
Day: Thursday, 3/14
Time: 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
STEAM-Powered Graphic Novels
Super scientists! Interdimensional dinosaurs! Infrasonic bioweaponry! This panel will give you a crash course in graphic novels and comics that support science, technology, engineering, art, and math for kids of all ages. Join panelists from diverse disciplines to learn about how they’ve rocket-fueled their classrooms with graphic novels on subjects ranging from the history of flying machines to post-apocalyptic space battles, and everything in between. You’ll leave with a list of STEAM-centered graphic novels for your budding mad scientists at school or home!
Location: The Hive Workshop Room – TCC L2-R4 @ Washington State Convention Center (705 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101)
Day: Friday, 3/15,
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
LGBTQ+ in Kid’s Comics
Today’s most dynamic creators are in kid’s comics and they’re portraying queer characters in fresh ways. Join Colleen AF Venable (Kiss Number 8), Megan Rose Gedris (Spectacle), Terry Blas and Molly Muldoon (Dead Weight) in their discussion of LGBTQ Graphic Novels for kids: from developing authentic stories, to comics as a safe space for all identities. Moderated by Katie Monnin (Pop Culture Classroom). Sponsored by the CBC Graphic Novel Committee.
Location: TCC L3-R2 @ Washington State Convention Center (705 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101)
Day: Sunday, 3/17
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM