One of THS’s beloved English teachers, Mrs. Lauren Malanka, in collaboration with retired THS English teacher and current Montclair State University instructor Mrs. Dana Maloney, presented at the 2024 National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE) Convention on Friday, November 22, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
The NCTE Conference, held annually in a selected US city, is one of the largest gatherings of educators in the United States. It brings together thousands of English teachers, researchers, practitioners, and authors across the country to explore new ideas and approaches to language arts education. Over four days, the conference covers a wide range of topics, from incorporating climate change into the curriculum to addressing trauma in the classroom. The event offers workshops, lectures, and presentations aimed at helping educators enhance their teaching practices and classroom strategies. While registration fees range from $360 to $475, attendees see it as a worthwhile investment to learn and connect with others in their field.
Malanka, known for her roles as the AP Seminar instructor and a Psychology & Literature teacher for seniors, has over 20 years of teaching experience, and her love for English has been a constant throughout her life.
“I’ve been a huge reader since childhood, reading all the popular series at the time, like Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prairie, and I’ve always loved writing,” she said.
Her passion for literature led her to major in English in college, with a focus on British literature. After spending eight years working in advertising, she realized her true calling was in education. She returned to school to earn a master’s degree in English teaching, with a renewed focus on American literature. Since then, she has become an integral part of the Tenafly community, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with her students.
Malanka’s passion for literature and her teaching experience led her to this very moment. Driven to make her courses the best they can be, she feels that this professional community allowed her to openly connect and share information with fellow educators. Despite the cost and time commitment, she felt it was all worth it, especially for the chance to reconnect with a past mentor.
Presenting at a professional convention can be an exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience, and for Malanka, the journey to delivering her session, titled “From Inquiry to Action: Igniting Engagement and Purpose through Project-based Research and Action,” was no exception.
The moment she stepped in front of the audience, Malanka was reminded of her early days as a student.
“I was super nervous,” she shared. “I felt like a student again.”
Despite her anxiety, Malanka, along with Dana Maloney–a well-loved THS English teacher who retired in 2022–approached the presentation with confidence, backed by her deep understanding of the material, years of experience, and hours of preparation.
“Once I got in there and relaxed, I realized everything I was presenting I knew so well from having taught it for 20 years. And the people that showed up to listen to me—I was flattered that they picked our session,” Malanka said.
The attention she received from the audience, coupled with her genuine interest in the topic, left her feeling overjoyed.
“They were really making eye contact with me and listening, so it felt awesome,” she said.
The central question Malanka addressed in her presentation was: How do you create a project that’s going to inspire students to do their own research and pursue a topic that really interests them?
As a teacher of AP Seminar, she has spent years guiding students through the research process, encouraging them to approach problems from multiple perspectives and develop well-rounded arguments. She shared how she organizes the projects given to her students in incremental stages, teaching her students to build their project from the ground up. During the conference, she also shared her overall experience as a teacher helping students to achieve objectives and present their work. Writing can be a challenging, overwhelming experience, and Malanka wants other teachers, just like herself, to make the subject more accessible to kids.
Malanka’s favorite moment of the convention was the part where she got to present. Her mind was “relaxed and clear,” and she wished she had more time due to her strong connection with the audience. Another highlight was meeting Chief Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who attended the convention to read from her new book and participate in an interview with the president of the NCTE. Seeing such an accomplished person, a symbol of hope for many, further excited Malanka.
Malanka’s presentation was a testament to her dedication and expertise in fostering student achievement through project-based research. Her thorough preparation and ability to connect with her audience made the session both insightful and inspiring.
It is clear that her passion for empowering students to explore their interests will continue to have a lasting impact.
