Retiree’s Book Selected for NEA’s Read Across America
For former educator Dan Gill, kindness and inclusion were the most important messages in his classroom. Those same themes inspired the retiree to write the book No More Chairs, which was selected for NEA’s Read Across America January 2026 collection!
Read Across America promotes literacy in schools across the country and celebrates diverse and inclusive books for every month of the year. Gill’s book will be highlighted as part of January’s “End Exclusion” theme.
No More Chairs is based on an incident that Gill witnessed as a child. He and his friend Archie attended a birthday party, but were told upon arrival that Archie could not come in because there were “no more chairs.” The excuse was simply a cover. Archie is Black; Gill is white.
The author, who taught middle school in Montclair, N.J., kept an empty chair in his classroom for 40 years. He shared this story in all of his classes: “My kids always said, ‘Come in! We have an extra chair,’ because the chair says to them, being kind is important here.”
Gill has also told the story at many community events and rallies. So when Pitchapalooza came to his hometown, he decided to give the story a shot. At the event, 20 people have the opportunity to give a 60-second pitch, vying to impress a panel of judges from the publishing industry. At the end of the night, Gill emerged as the winner. His prize? An introduction to an agent, who then connected him with an editor and illustrator.
Check out Gill’s book and get the complete 2025 – 2026 Read Across America calendar at nea.org/ReadAcross.
—Colin Davan and Mary Ellen Flannery
Announcing the 2026 NEA-Retired Communications Award!
Every year, the NEA-Retired Executive Council Communications Committee recognizes NEA-Retired affiliates for outstanding communications work. The following awards are presented to affiliates in two categories: Membership of more than 2,500, and membership of less than 2,500.
- Established State Retired Newsletter (Published more than three years)
- State Retired Newsletter (Published fewer than three years)
- Established Local Retired Newsletter
- E-newsletter
- State Retired Website
- NEA-Retired Spotlight Award (State active newsletter/magazine covering NEA-Retired issues)
The Newsletter Hall of Fame award goes to newsletters that have earned an award three times in the same category.
To apply, visit nea.org/CommAwards. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2026.
Top Award for Hawaii Retirees!
The Hawaii State Teachers Association–Retired, Oahu District, was the 2025 winner of the Tom Wellman Spirit of Membership Award, which honors an affiliate that builds membership in innovative ways. In the winning program, students make presentations to retirees on topics like bystander CPR and smartphone use, which “were not taught back in the day,” says former program leader Candace Chun. The retirees then help the students practice public speaking and prepare for competitions. Chun notes, “We can still support our public school teachers and students even after we retire.”
(Our October 2025 issue incorrectly listed the award winner. The runner-up for the award is the Indiana State Teachers Association-Retired.)
—Colin Davan
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