The 4th Annual Lynn McKee Erwin Conference on Children’s Literature
More than 140 educators, preservice teachers, authors and literacy advocates gathered Feb. 21 for the Fourth Annual Lynn McKee Erwin Conference on Children’s Literature at the University of Tennessee Southern. The daylong event is funded through a generous donation by Dr. Ronnie Erwin in memory of his late wife, Lynn McKee Erwin, whose career and legacy as an educator continue to inspire the conference’s mission.
Honoring a Legacy Rooted in UT Southern
Lynn McKee Erwin (UTS ’66) attended UT Southern when it was Martin College, and the conference is held on campus in honor of her lifelong dedication to teaching and literacy. Former UT Southern Provost Dr. Judy Cheatham connected with Dr. Erwin to discuss creating a conference that would support local teachers and reflect his and his late wife’s passion for education. What began as a simple idea has grown into a meaningful celebration of Lynn Erwin and her belief that children’s books can spark curiosity, joy and confidence in young students.
Now in its fourth year, the conference remains accessible because of Dr. Erwin’s support. Each attendee received 10 free children’s books to use in their classroom—an intentional tradition that has been part of the event since its beginning.
A Growing Professional Development Tradition
Since its inaugural year, the conference has seen consistent and significant growth. What began with 93 attendees in 2023 has expanded to 141 participants in 2026. This reflects a rising regional demand for high-quality, affordable professional development and the conference’s growing reputation among educators.
This year’s attendees represented more than 13 Tennessee counties. The event offered K–5 educators a full day of professional development sessions including author talks, workshops on literacy pedagogy and hands‑on sessions designed to help teachers integrate children’s literature into their curriculum immediately.
Award‑Winning Authors Headline the Event
Thanks to the remarkable growth and the ongoing generosity of Dr. Erwin, the conference is developing a strong reputation that consistently attracts top talent in the field. This year, three award-winning and nationally recognized children’s authors served as keynote presenters:
- Frank Murphy, nominee for the Volunteer State Book Award and returning presenter
- Sophia Gholz, Florida State Book Award gold medalist
- Charnaie Gordon, founder of 50 States 50 Books and children’s author
Frank Murphy
Sophia Gholz
Charnaie Gordon
Murphy, who has presented at the last three conferences, praised the event: “This conference is the best one I have ever presented across the country. The veteran teachers and aspiring teachers are so inquisitive and so dedicated to honing their craft. I want to be involved forever.”
Gordon shared a similar perspective: “Connecting with the teachers and aspiring teachers was such a highlight. The caliber of speakers, the value poured into participants, the free books, lunch, swag— all for less than $15. You simply can’t beat it.”
Gholz echoed the feelings of her counterparts: “Being a part of this conference was absolutely wonderful in all aspects. From the initial support and superb organization to the impeccable quality and numerous perks, the LME Conference was impressive at every single turn.”
Faculty and Guest Presenters Round Out the Program
Alongside the authors, sessions were led by faculty and staff whose presentations covered evidence-based literacy instruction, reading development, curriculum design and strategies for supporting young learners.
- Dr. Marianne Rice, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Jamiy McMasters, library media specialist
- Dr. Daniel McMasters, UT Southern
- Dr. Michael Cathey, UT Southern
- Dr. Jan Hanvy, UT Southern
- Cindy Young, UT Southern Grow Your Own coordinator
Carrying Lynn Erwin’s Legacy Forward
As the conference looks ahead to its fifth year, the mission remains grounded in Lynn Erwin’s belief that children deserve stories that inspire them and teachers deserve meaningful support. Lynn was confident that reading is the foundation of all learning. This perspective emphasizes literacy as the primary tool for academic success and lifelong learning. She emphasized the importance of strong reading skills, which enable students to effectively absorb information across various subjects. Through Dr. Erwin’s continued generosity and commitment to his wife’s legacy, the conference will remain a place where educators gather to learn, connect and ignite the love of literacy.
