Toucan Tip #14: Comic-Con Conference for Educators and Librarians

Teaching and Learning with Comics: An Interactive Workshop

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 3:30PM – 5:30PM

This is a hands-on workshop for anyone looking to use comics in a classroom. Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools), Susan Kirtley (Portland State University), and Antero Garcia (Stanford University) guide educators in curating powerful classroom curricula, from mini-lessons to complete units, that incorporate the medium of comics. Participants engage in activities that model how to develop superhero readers and writers in K–12 classrooms.

Finding your Nerd Niche

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 10:00AM –11:00AM

Robert Lanuza (San Diego Public Library, craft enthusiast) joins panelists to explore creative pathways to express your interests. What is a “nerd niche” and how do you explore different avenues of your interests? Joe Queen (GG4G-Geeky Guys and Gals for God) and Jeanie Lopez (GG4G) explain how to fellowship with comics, cosplay, and fandom. Single gamer looking for love? Rebecca Wright (librarian IV, St. Paul’s Hollywood Library in S.C.) was until she made that online connection and married her. Carl Nazaire (SDPL) explains how conscripting his friends into tabletop RPGs, wargaming, and Filipino comics led them to dive into the wider SD pool of nerdom.

Devil’s Candy: The Draw of Manga

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 11:00AM –12:00PM

Having a popular webcomic is a dream come true for many artists, but how many can say they’ve been published in multiple languages and serialized in a Japanese manga magazine? Devil’s Candy illustrator Rem joins in a conversation with VIZ editor David Brothers as they discuss the popularity of manga and why it’s a great gateway for kids hesitant about reading.

National Treasures: A Pop Culture Pass from Your Library

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 12:00PM –1:00PM

Brendan Crain (NYC Culture Pass) and Jeffrey T. Davis (San Diego Public Library) share ways that libraries are increasing access to original pop culture artifacts and events—not by bringing them into the library, but through new library services that help everyone to access the local pop treasures around us.

Teen Tech/Pop Culture Programming

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 1:00PM – 2:00PM

Discover how library staff are revolutionizing programming for teens with blends of crafts, virtual drawing classes, video games, and game design. Discover the art of combining pop culture with hands-on creativity and technology with Ramiro Hernandez (library assistant, San Diego Public Library), Robert Lanuza (library assistant, San Diego Public Library), Thomas Vineberg (senior library technician), and Janet Yeager (librarian, San Diego Public Library). Victor Castro Romo (library assistant, San Diego Public Library) and Cody Rukasin (library assistant, San Diego Public Library) will discuss how playing and creating video games fosters connections among teens. Explore how these programs provide teens with a platform for creative expression, social interaction, and experiences that contribute to their personal growth. Moderated by Caitlynn Jackson (library assistant, San Diego Public Library).

The Pathway to Libraries for Indie Comics

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 2:00PM – 3:00PM

Led by Barbra Dillon (editor-in-chief, Fanbase Press), this panel—including Moni Barrette (director of collection development & publisher relations, Library Pass), Christina Taylor (consulting comics librarian), Jordan Hart (writer, Ripple Effects), Jessica Maison (writer, Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters), and Hillary Chang (branch manager, McCully-Moiliili Public Library)—will feature library professionals and indie comics creators discussing how new pathways can be forged to bring diverse, educational, and inclusive indie comics to library patrons everywhere.

A Crash Course in Media Literacy

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 3:00PM – 4:00PM

Samuel C. Spitale (author/creator of Quirk Books’ graphic novel How to Win the War on Truth) will use the comic arts to provide a crash course in media literacy, debunking real-world examples of misinformation that muddy the media landscape. Serving as a lesson in critical thinking, the workshop will help educators and students alike cut through the noise and become more savvy media consumers, both in and out of the classroom.

Using Comics, New Media, and Games for Education and Representation

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 4:00PM – 5:00PM

The popularity of comic-based media has increased in the last 20 years and created new opportunities to educate children about science, health, and different cultures. Panelists discuss the ways in which comics (Jaycen Wise, Street Fighter), new media (Kareem Eobard, Drexel University, Work It Out Wombats; Leigh Willis, Dr. LAW’s Photolab), and games (Juanita Cato, CodeNinjas; Carl Vernardo, Street Fighter; Arturo Cortez, University of Colorado) are being used to expose children to scientific and health concepts as well as the importance of using diverse characters to help children consider careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Just Wrapped: NEH K-12 Institute: Using Comics to Teach Social Justice

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

San Diego State University faculty from the Center for Comics Studies Pamela Jackson (comic arts curator; co-director of the Center for Comics Studies), Dr. Elizabeth Pollard (professor of history; co-director of the Center for Comics Studies), and Katherine Sciurba (professor of literacy education) share the curriculum of SDSU’s NEH-funded Summer Institute for K–12 Teachers: Using Comics to Teach Social Justice. Teachers who participated in this year’s institute reflect on lesson plans developed over the course of the two-week Institute that wraps up with four days at Comic-Con.

Creating Captivating Characters

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 10:00AM – 11:00AM

Graphic novel authors, Emmanuel Guerrero (Cactus Kid: The Battle for Star Rock Mountain), Gabriel Valentin (Digital Lizards of Doom Book Two: Commander EKO), Brenna Thummler (Sheets Trilogy), and Richard Ashley Hamilton (Scoop Vol. 2: Buried Leads), in conversation with moderator Tina Lerno (digital content librarian and comics specialist at Los Angeles Public Library), share their process in creating their middle-grade and YA protagonists and characters, from idea to sketch to final form!

Action Packed and Adventurous

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 11:00AM – 12:00PM

Graphic novel authors, Art Baltazar (YAHGZ: The Craynobi Tales, Flash Gordon Adventures), Jeremy Lambert (The Night Mother Vol. 1), Gene Luen Yang (The Books of Clash), and Steve Breen (Sky & Ty 1: Howdy, Partner!) talk about their novels with moderator Christina E. Taylor (youth services consultant, Texas State Library and Archives Commission) and discuss how middle-grade action-packed adventures explore beyond the page to what we envision for our world and ourselves.

Keep Bans Off Our Books!

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 12:00PM – 1:00PM

The topic of book banning has risen as more and more books are taken off the shelves, especially graphic novels. In conversation with moderator Jack Phoenix (collection development manager at Cuyahoga Falls Library), authors Joe Cepeda (The Best Worst Camp Out Ever (I Like to Read Comics)), Frederick L Jones (Clock Striker), Jennie Wood (Paper Planes), Shawneé Gibbs (Ghost Roast), and Shawnelle Gibbs (Ghost Roast) speak about graphic novels and literacy, what can be done about censorship in communities, and how to keep bans off our books!

Comics Catalog: A History of Comics in Libraries

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 1:00PM – 2:00PM

Led by Barbra Dillon (editor-in-chief, Fanbase Press), library professionals and comics historians discuss the incredible history of comics being embraced by libraries, as well as the opportunities and challenges present in providing access for library patrons to the breadth of comic book content now available. Featuring Moni Barrette (director of Collection Development & Publisher Relations, Library Pass), Jack Phoenix (collection development manager, Cuyahoga Falls Library), Jason Larsen (comics studies librarian, MSU), Pamela Jackson (comic arts librarian, SDSU Library), and Betsy Gomez (program officer, American Library Association).

Empathy in Asian American Graphic Narratives

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 2:00PM – 3:00PM

Distinguished K12 educators Erica Aguirre (ABC Unified), Virginia Nguyen (Irvine Unified), Amanda Sandoval (Corona-Norco Unified), and Dianne Wen (Centralia Elementary School District) hold a compelling session that delves into the integration of graphic novels and comics in Asian American Studies, highlighting Cambodian American, Hmong American, and Vietnamese American histories. Learn about the innovative approaches these educators use to employ graphic storytelling as a tool to foster empathy, connect students with diverse cultural perspectives, and create a more inclusive learning environment. The session will also showcase how graphic novels capture complex emotions and societal issues, making them ideal for teaching sensitive and multifaceted subjects.

Developing Future Talent for Careers in Entertainment

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 3:00PM –4:00PM

Panelists explore how collaborations among education, industry, and entertainment unions are redefining career pathways in the entertainment industry through the Arts, Media, and Entertainment High Road Training Partnership initiative. Hear from Tom Antl (arts, media, and entertainment coordinator, San Diego Unified School District), Allison Frenzel (co-founder, Entertainment Equity Alliance), Marco Robles (business agent, IATSE Local 80), Xochitl Torres (program director, Arts, Media, and Entertainment High Road Training Partnership), and Nathan Harrenstein (director of education San Diego Theatrical Training Committee; IATSE 122), with moderator Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education), as they discuss the first-ever IATSE registered apprenticeship program in San Diego. From educators shaping the curriculum to employers seeking skilled talent and unions advocating for workers’ rights, each perspective will showcase the transformative potential of partnerships between schools, employers, and labor partners. Discover best practices and how you can get involved or replicate this work in your region. These collaborations are not only bridging skill gaps but also paving the way for inclusive, sustainable career opportunities in the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment.

Teaching Comics to Youth: The Power of Partnerships

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 4:00PM –5:00PM

Comics and graphic novels help us feel connected and show us that we belong. For youth, a sense of belonging gives them the confidence to build valuable and meaningful connections. Led by Jessica Buck (San Diego Public Library), this panel—including Matthew Cisneros (student), Marcie Colleen (children’s comics author), Melinda Cooper (program director for Words Alive), Michelle DeFazio (San Diego Public Library), Maia Felton (student), Aubri Robinson (Little Fish Comic Book Studio), and Razmig Sutton (student)—will feature a discussion about how different San Diego organizations have utilized community partnerships to successfully teach comics to youth and create a community of readers. Panelists will share success stories and lessons learned. A Q&A will follow the discussion.

The Benefits of Reading Comics: Reading for Pleasure, Promoting Literacy

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

San Diego Library staff members Steven Torres-Roman, Helen Schalk, Iris Thompson, and Caitlynn Jackson discuss both research and personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs in using graphic novels to promote literacy when working with children and teens.

Comics Transforming Education

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 10:00AM – 11:00AM

MarQuitta Sutton-Adams, Warren Smith, and Devora Orfloff (teachers at Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy in South Los Angeles) present lesson plans and student work that demonstrate how to engage and encourage students while analyzing Shakespeare’s The Tempest with Marvel’s Black Panther or deconstructing heroic tropes while critically examining Marvel’s Hawkeye. Moderated by Leondria Brown (Green Dot Public Schools).

Getting Through the First Issue

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 11:00AM – 12:00PM

Austin Bruns (Ánimo Leadership High School) recounts his first year of teaching by showcasing instructional units and lessons that integrated comic books, graphic novels, and pop culture in his 11th-grade English curriculum to promote student engagement, cultivate a supportive and rigorous classroom community, and develop student production of digital comics, cover art, and websites. Moderated by Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools).

Kapow, Woosh, Zap! Engaging Students with Comics in the Classroom

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 12:00PM – 1:00PM

Hear from a panel of super teachers including Mick Rabin (resource counselor, Youth Advocacy Dept., San Diego Unified), Ella “Dizzy” Rogosin (teacher, Sweetwater UHSD), Mike Cruz (elementary teacher, Temecula Valley USD), Susan Bourrillion (para educator, San Diego USD), and Scott Nielsen (mild/moderate special education teacher, Grossmont UHSD), moderated by Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education). Hear how incorporating comics into the curriculum increases engagement and access for all students while developing a love for learning (and secretly powering up literacy skills), and how the Comic-Con Educator Book Club brings together teachers from across the region in pursuit of great reads, community, and strategies for the classroom. You, too, can become a super teacher!

Hands On: Developing the Skills and Finding the Right Jobs in Pop Culture

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 1:00PM – 2:00PM

After the recent wave of technology and entertainment company layoffs, finding a job in pop culture or entertainment can be daunting for recent college graduates. Dr. Chris Wildrick (Syracuse University), Dr. Christina Knopf (SUNY Cortland), Rob Salkowitz (University of Washington), Dr. Billy Obenauer (University of Maine), Darlynne Overbaugh (Stova), and Bailey Day (Ithaca College) discuss how they help students develop the skills needed and the persistence to find job opportunities in today’s entertainment economy—be it comics, movies, TV, or gaming. Moderated by Ed Catto (Ithaca College).

Science in Middle-Grade Sci-Fi

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 2:00PM – 3:00PM

Panelists explore the importance of scientific accuracy in stories and discuss whether it enhances the reading experience or gets in the way of the storytelling process. They will also talk about how accurately portrayed science can serve as a source of inspiration, potentially motivating young readers to become life-long readers of science fiction and even pursue future careers in STEM fields. Authors Greg van Eekhout (Voyage of the Dogs) and Delilah Dawson (Star Wars Adventures) and scientists Lisa Will (resident astronomer, Fleet Science Center) and Ronald Coleman (Ph.D. in regenerative medicine). Moderated by Andrea Decker (scientist engagement manager, Fleet Science Center).

Esports and Emotional Intelligence: How Gaming Can Boost Your Social and Emotional Learning Skills

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 3:00PM – 4:00PM

Minhtuyen Mai, Ph.D. (CREATE at University of California San Diego), Angelique Gianas (Helix Charter High School esports/gaming coordinator and English teacher), and Roel Mislan (Feaster Charter School esports coordinator and technology manager) discuss the connection between esports, video games, and social/emotional intelligence, particularly in K-12 schools. They’ll discuss how gaming goes beyond fun, actually helping students develop important social and emotional skills. You’ll learn how gaming experiences can teach empathy, resilience, and better communication, giving both teachers and students a valuable way to grow both in and out of the classroom via gaming. Dr. Mai, Angelique, and Roel will partake in a Q&A session moderated by Chris Garcia (EdTech coordinator for the San Diego Office of Education and esports facilitator).

How Using 21st-Century Online Learning Enables Students from Around the World to Remotely Teach Girls in Afghanistan

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 4:00PM – 5:00PM

Since 2021, the students from Flowers for the Future, an international student-run organization, have been teaching Afghan girls using 21st-century technology that enables these girls to complete their high school education. An Applied Art and Poetry Course has enlisted the help of students at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to program an Afghan-inspired VR art and poetry gallery that allows girls in Afghanistan to safely present their art to a global audience in real time. This VR gallery exemplifies how the global youth of today are impacting a generation of women and girls in the gender apartheid that has become Afghanistan.

GeekEd: Crisis on Earth Prime

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 10:00 AM –11:00 AM

The real world has experienced a comic book–like crisis—nothing has been the same since 2020! A generation of college students missed one (and for some two) graduation ceremonies. How do we take what Comic-Con has taught us about embracing change and utilize that on our college campuses to create a new reality out of the ashes of the old ore-crisis world? Featuring Dr. David Surratt (University of Oklahoma), Kohya Lu (College of San Mateo), Dr. Marcelle Hayashida (UC Irvine), and Bravo Zuleika (UCLA).

GeekEd: The Doctor Is In

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 11:00AM –12:00 PM

Have you considered getting a doctoral degree but are afraid that your mind is too focused on comic books and popular culture? Hear from folks who have achieved the dream of using everything we love about Comic-Con and turning that into extremely nerdy research for Ph.D.’s and Ed.D.’s. Featuring Alex Bellisario (UCSC), Dr. Emily Sandoval (USC), Dr. La’Tonya Rase Miles (ReUp Education), Dr. Drea Letamendi (UCLA), and Dr. Alfred Day (UC Berkeley).

GeekEd: Xavier’s College for Gifted Students

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 12:00PM –1:00 PM

Hear how today’s college students manage their studies at the same time as embracing their geek/nerd identities. How do you keep up with your weekly comics? What if you have a final on May 4? Which anime poster won’t make your roommate ask to switch to a single? Panelists include Brian MacDonald (UCLA), Geralyn Williams (Princeton), JonJon Junpradub (College of the Siskiyous), and Zachary Williams (UCLA).

GeekEd: Crisis on Campus!

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 1:00PM –2:00 PM

Spider-Man in the 1970s confronted protests on college campuses. Hear today’s college staff who are called upon to respond to protests as they examine the depiction of protests in such comics and films as Watchmen, Forrest Gump, and Spider-Man. Are these depictions realistic, and how do they compare to protests happening on campus right now? Featuring Dr. Alfred Day (UC Berkeley), Dr. Steve Sutton (UC Berkeley), Dr. Garret Naiman (UC Santa Cruz), and Dr. Monroe Gorden (UCLA).

Engaging Students and Creating Community Through Fandoms

LOCATION: Shiley Special Events Suite – 9th floor
TIME: 2:00PM –3:00 PM

Scott Nielsen (ed specialist, SHS), along with Lauren Turpin (AP lit/English, SHS) and students from Santana High School, discuss classroom methods for incorporating fandoms as well as the importance of spaces like campus clubs that allow for positive social environments for students, teachers, and staff of all backgrounds to connect through their shared interests. High school can be awful, but it can also be fun and inspiring when we have a campus community to make it better.