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

H. Lee © 2024 SDCC

Teaching and Learning with Comic

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

Looking to bring comics into your classroom? Join Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools), Susan Kirtley (Portland State University), and Antero Garcia (Stanford University) for the interactive workshop where educators explore how to teach about, with, and through comics. Through hands-on activities, you’ll learn how to engage all students as superhero readers and writers while designing powerful lessons and thematic units rooted in the comic arts.

Comics, Spanish, Library Magic

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

Robert Lanuza (San Diego Public Library) and Claudia Apodaca (San Diego Public Library) unite for a fun and insightful session on how graphic novels can support Spanish language learning at any age! Robert, host of the city’s only Spanish Graphic Novel Book Club for kids, will share how comics boost comprehension and keep learners engaged. Claudia will highlight the connection between early literacy and bilingual learning and how it all starts with a great story and a little laughter. Moderated by Rebecca Wright (St. Paul’s Hollywood Library in S.C.).

We’ve Got Pixie Dust (And We Know How to Use It)

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

Explore how libraries can capture the spirit of Disney magic—through immersive programming, creative design, and guest-centered service—to inspire joy and wonder in their communities. Jeffrey Davis (Linda Vista Library branch manager), Amanda Lorge (art, music, and recreation librarian and former Jungle Cruise skipper), Melissa Barbour (Scripps Miramar Ranch Library youth services librarian), and Jenny Parsons (Central Children’s Library manager) from the San Diego Public Library will share practical ways to transform spaces, engage patrons, and bring storytelling to life using pop culture and Imagineering-inspired techniques. Kit Jackson (I CAN! Center library assistant) will moderate a brief discussion and Q&A.

Creating Social and Environmental Justice Comics

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

Author and teacher Cindy Jenson-Elliott (The Doomsday Detectives) and Madison High School Students (San Diego Unified School District) will share their process of creating nonfiction comics to tell local social and environmental justice stories and will lead participants in hands-on activities to plan their own projects with grades 4-12.

Comic-Con Museum: Co-Designing a Popular Arts Learning Center with Our Community

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

Are you the only one in your local community who seems to understand the power of popular arts to ignite learning and connection? We bet you aren’t! Learn how the Comic-Con Museum Education Center, led by Dr. Emily Schindler, uses co-design to engage community stakeholders near and far to design learning experiences for fans old and new. This panel, moderated by Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education), showcases a recent co-design project (funded by SDGE) focused on developing makerspace fan art projects to accompany Doctor Who: Worlds of Wonder, a current museum exhibit. Co-designers Danny Beckwith (Comic-Con Museum), Jennem Hobson (Comic-Con Museum), Lisa Will (San Diego City College), Tom and Caspian Rademacher (Father/Child Whovian education team), and other project collaborators offer practical advice to use the popular arts as springboards for community-engaged learning design.

Comics for Education

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

Dimithri Perera (host of The Keeg podcasts) discusses the educational importance of comic books in schools, libraries, and the home with three comic-loving educators: Sara Zitney (cosplayer/educator), Ambrosha Koepp (content creator/educator), and Drew Maxey (comic writer/educator).

Banned in the U.S.A.?! Freedom, Comics, and Education

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

Comics can be used as a weapon and as a voice for liberation. Dr. Lynnette Mawhinney (Rutgers University), Pamela Jackson (San Diego State University Library), Dr. William Nericcio (San Diego State University Center for Comics Studies), and Tony Weaver Jr. (Weirdo) have a conversation about comics, censorship, and curriculum. Moderated by comics editor, writer, and scholar Dr. Shamika Mitchell (State University of New York, Rockland Community College/Women in Comics).

Women of Afghan History Through Comics: Detective Sanazu

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

Did you know there are famous Afghan Women that have changed the course of history?! Flowers for the Future returns to SDCC promoting an international educational project that spins the story of famous Afghan women through comics. The international panel will share with the fans the process of creating and designing a comic book for a global audience, while also safely collaborating and distributing to a population facing gender apartheid. Join us for an exclusive reveal of the initial concept art, meet the author and artists, and Flowers for the Future student leaders.

Library Sponsored Virtual Drawing Programs for Teens

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

Explore how San Diego Public Library staff use virtual platforms to inspire young artists through drawing programs. The free Zoom-based sessions are informal, welcoming of all skill levels, and inspired by pop culture. Claude Castañeda (library assistant), Rovai Hernandez (library assistant), Thomas Vineberg (senior library technician), and Janet Yeager (librarian) will share how they plan sessions and lead engaging virtual instruction. Discover how these programs foster imagination, artistic growth, and connection. Moderated by Kit Jackson (library assistant).

From Cartoons to Characters

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

What do cartoons and graphic novels have in common—besides being awesome? Moderator Brenda Maier (The Adventures of Penguin & Panda) and creators Dean Hale (Iron Man: Something Strange (A Might Marvel Team-Up)), Jeffrey Brown (Marvel The Uncanny X-Men: Days of Future Fun), Kennedy Tarrell (Evil-ish), Mary Shyne (You and Me on Repeat), and Steve Breen (Sky & Ty 2: Dinomite!) explore how both formats boost visual literacy and keep young minds sharp, creative, and totally hooked.

Graphic Novel vs Manga

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

It’s a showdown here with YA and MG graphic novels and manga, as both are dominating the shelves. Join moderator Matthew Noe (lead collection and knowledge management librarian, Harvard Medical School) and creators Dora Wang (Pocket Peaches), Samuel Sattin (Unico), Kayden Phoenix (Latina Superheroes (Volume 1): Jalisco & Santa), Whyt Manga (Apple Black), and Ursula Murray Husted (Botticelli’s Apprentice) for a fun look at what’s best, their educational value, and why both formats get readers hooked!

Make ‘Em Laugh: Using Jokes, Puns, and Goofy Ideas to Hook Reluctant Readers

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

Do you think all books feel like homework? Think again! This panel makes the case for comedy as a secret weapon and as a reading and teaching tool. Moderator Joshua Pruett (Gyro and the Argonauts) and creators Amy Chase (Abuzz and Miraculous Chibi), Marz Jr. (Transformers: Worst Bot Ever – Meet Ballpoint!), Emmanuel Guerrero (Cactus Kid), Suzanne Lang (Grumpy Monkey School Stinks!), and Max Lang (Grumpy Monkey School Stinks!) take a lively look at how humor keeps young readers engaged, learning, and laughing all the way to the last page.

Navigating the 2025 (Comics) Librarian Experience

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

With budgetary cuts, professional burnout, and never-ending calls for censorship, it’s safe to say that all members of the library community are anxious about what 2025 may hold. Led by Barbra Dillon (editor-in-chief, Fanbase Press), this panel of seasoned library professionals—including Megan Halsband (Physical Collections Services, Library of Congress), Moni Barrette (director of Collection Development & Publisher Relations, Library Pass), Matthew Noe (librarian, Harvard Medical School), Jack Phoenix (collection development manager, Cuyahoga Falls Library), Amie Wright (executive director, Toronto Comic Arts Festival), and Hillary Chang (branch manager, McCully-Moiliili Public Library)—will discuss and troubleshoot current and potential challenges facing the library community.

Express Your Emanata: Using Graphic Texts for SEL

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

Graphic texts like comics and manga connect students with stories in a way no other medium can. The visual components evoke empathetic responses to characters and conflict while the text supports language development with built-in differentiation for all learners. Dr. Jason DeHart (English teacher, Building Critical Literacy and Empathy with Graphic Novels), Dr. Christian Hines (assistant professor of Reading and Literacy at TXST), Kane Lynch (educator, cartoonist Reel Life), Scott McCloud (author, The Cartoonists Club; Understanding Comics), and Jana Tropper (speech-language pathologist, graphic novelist Seeker Society) discuss the use of this powerful medium for understanding, creation, and connection with students from preschool through college level.

Leveling Up: Strengthening California’s Creative Workforce

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

Take a deep dive into how California’s arts and entertainment ecosystem is shifting and how state agencies are stepping in to help workers and creative businesses thrive. Our panelists, Allison Frenzel (arts, media, and entertainment industry sector lead, California Department of Education), Xochitl Torres (program director, BRIC Foundation), Danielle Brazell (executive director of the CA Arts Counsel), Adam Fowler (founding partner of CVL Economics), Robert Meyer (director of economic development, California Employment Training Panel), and Leah Medrano (deputy director, California Film Commission) with moderator Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education) will explore fresh data, surprising trends, and new opportunities popping up across the Golden State. From incentives and public grants to apprenticeship programs and statewide jobs creation initiatives that center equity and innovation, this is your backstage pass to understanding how public support is fueling the future of the creative workforce.

Comic Making for Kids and Teachers

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

Craig Knitt (creative arts specialist at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Bay and Lakes Region) and Michael Norton Dando (professor of communication arts at St. Cloud State University) host a fun, hands-on workshop exploring the comic-making process. Young creators will learn to express their unique voices through storytelling and illustration, while educators will discover practical ways to inspire students in the classroom. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to spark creativity in others, this session is for you.

How Video Games Are Changing the Lives of Students at Monarch High School

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

Marcel (Monarch student), Jessica (Monarch student), Juan (Monarch student), Leo (Monarch student), and Messiah (Monarch student) share their experiences as members of the Monarch Esports Team and how gaming has helped improve attendance, leadership, and academic performance. This panel will explore the power of esports in a trauma-informed, strength-based environment and how it creates meaningful engagement for students navigating complex life challenges. Moderated by Chris Garcia (San Diego County Office of Education EdTech Coordinator and Monarch Esports Coach).

Teaching Literary Analysis and Social Justice with Comics!

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

In this session, you’ll hear from author and educator, Johnny Parker II (Godzilla Rivals, The Black Man’s Guide to Getting Pulled Over), as he shares with you the comics, strategies, and assessments he utilizes in his classroom to boost engagement, teach literary analysis, promote social justice, and scaffold for students in need.

Comics Under Fire

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

Censorship of comics is on the rise—and classrooms are feeling the heat. Susan Kirtley (Portland State University) and Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools) hold a presentation and discussion on navigating book bans, administrative resistance, and pushback against graphic narratives. Educators and librarians will gain tools for advocacy, reflection, and resilience to ensure comics continue to empower readers of all ages.

Comics, Culture, and the Classroom

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

Explore how comics and pop culture turn classrooms into hubs of creativity and critical thinking. Timothy Ojetunde (WestEd), Chanti Burnette (Ánimo South Los Angeles), Kaylee Bieraugel (Ánimo Inglewood), and Austin Bruns (Ánimo Leadership), moderated by Angie Amador (Green Dot Public Schools) share student work and classroom strategies that connect identity, community, and counter-narratives through multimodal storytelling. You’ll leave ready to transform your literacy instruction—one panel at a time.

Drawing New Futures

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

What happens when Afrofuturism, AP Lit, Special Education, and high expectations collide? Teachers Marquitta Sutton-Adams and Warren Smith from Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory High School share how they use comics, differentiated supports, and inclusive practices to challenge and inspire every learner. Moderated by Leondria Brown (Green Dot Public Schools), this panel showcases student-centered success stories that prove access and rigor aren’t just possible—they’re inseparable.

Teaching Pop Culture in 2025: Embracing the Past/Preparing for the Future

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

The world of pop culture changes lightning fast; AI is both an opportunity and a challenge; Cinema struggles to redefine itself; Entertainment Media churns and changes. How do we keep up with it all and prepare students for today, tomorrow, and 5 years from now? A top-tier line-up of Academics, including Dr. Chris Wildrick (Syracuse University), Dr. Christina Knopf (SUNY Cortland), Rob Salkowitz (University of Oregon), Bailey Day (MBA, content producer), and Krista Rozanski (school library media specialist). Moderated by Ed Catto (Ithaca College).

From Fantasy to Discovery: Harnessing Pop Culture for Epic Reading Intervention

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).

Science in Middle-Grade Sci-Fi

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

A fun-filled and educational panel discussion on the role of science in middle-grade science fiction. We will explore the importance of scientific accuracy in these stories and discuss whether it enhances the reading experience or gets in the way of the storytelling process. We 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 (Happy Town) and Delilah Dawson (Minecraft Mob Squad, Ride or Die) and scientists Lisa Will (resident astronomer; Fleet Science Center), and Ronald Coleman (PhD in Regenerative Medicine). Moderated by Mwenda KudumuBiggs (vice president of community service and engagement, Fleet Science Center).

Transitioning Students from Consumers to Creators

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

Educators Lisa Harrison (Vista Innovation and Design Academy), Andrew Hudson (Roosevelt Middle School), Nichole Santangelo (Summit Academy), and Breann Williams (Vista Innovation and Design Academy) share practical strategies and classroom experiences that empower students to move beyond simply reading comics and graphic novels—to creating their own. Learn how teachers are helping students become world-builders, character designers, and authors of original comics and graphic novels that reflect their voices and imaginations.

GeekEd: Our Heroes and Villains Era

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

Higher Ed is under attack by powerful forces. Educators discuss how the lessons they’ve learned about how to face villainy in comic books, movies, and popular culture inform the fight they are currently facing in continuing to educate college students. And hear tales of heroism from those working with students on college campuses today! Panel moderated by Dr. Alfred Day (UC Berkeley) and featuring Monroe Gorden (UCLA), Luis Corrales (UCLA), Joshua Mayfield (UCLA), Greedley Harris (USC), and Dr. Steve Sutton (UC Berkeley).

GeekEd: Mr. Stark, I Don’t Feel So Good

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

Stories of trauma permeate popular culture, from the death of the Waynes, Eleven’s upbringing, or everything that Steven Universe had to deal with; traumatic experience is a part of so many narratives. Come hear higher education professionals discuss how being trauma-informed helps their work with students and how they use these stories to reach through the trauma of the real world. Moderated by Dr. Alfred Day (UC Berkeley), Alison Cares (University of Central Florida), Emilie Mitchell (UC Berkeley), Jaylen Christie (University of Central Florida), and Sabrina Van Zuiden (UC Berkeley).

GeekEd: Geek Out, Breathe In: Using Pop Culture to Support Mental Health On Campus

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

Fandoms, films, video games, comics, and other elements of pop culture can be powerful tools for connection, coping, and conversation around mental health. This panel brings together six clinical psychologists in higher education who use pop culture as a bridge to talk about emotional well-being in ways that are fun, relatable, and deeply impactful. Whether it’s finding comfort in a favorite character’s storyline, bonding over shared fandoms, or drawing strength from fictional worlds, we’ll dive into how geeking out can help us breathe a little easier—and bring mental health support to the forefront of campus culture. Dr. Christine Catipon (Stanford University), Dr. Drea Letamendi (UCLA), Dr. Helen Hsu (Stanford University), Dr. Donte Bernard (University of Missouri), Dr. Suan Stapatyanon (UC Irvine), and Dr. Danny Martinez (UCLA).

GeekEd: Hanging Up the Cape

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

Late nights, second phones, and responding to crisis after crisis can add up over time, even for the greatest heroes. Much like Captain America and Rupert Giles, higher education professionals are rethinking their career paths and roles on campus and pivoting to focus on self-care while still finding ways to impact students. Moderated by Dr. Glenn DeGuzman (UC Berkeley) and featuring Dr. Martha Enciso (University of Redlands), Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz (Mainstream Insight, LLC), Dr. Emily Sandoval (University of Southern California), and Brian MacDonald (UCLA).

How Libraries Help Promote Creators

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

Dr. Phoenix Alexander (librarian for science fiction and fantasy, UC Riverside), Daryl A. Maxwell (adult librarian at Los Angeles Public Library), Moni Barrette (comics librarian/2023 Eisner judge), Lauren Salerno (writer and former Los Angeles public librarian), and Misty Jones (city librarian/director San Diego Public Library) discuss programs and promotional opportunities available at libraries, such as inclusion into library systems and library lists, recommendations, special promotions, local author advocacy, and more. Moderated by Eric J. Guignard (author, A Graveside Gallery).