Professional Summary
Experienced National Board certified school media specialist with strong technology and teaching skills. Proven leadership in the areas of technology integration, information literacy and reading promotion. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Education & Certification
Illinois Board of Education, 2011 Library Media Type 10 Special Teaching Master Certificate (K-12)
National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, 2010 Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood Certificate
Master of Library Science, School Library Media Specialist, Indiana University, 2000
Bachelor of Science in Education, English Education, University of Georgia, 1994
Teaching and Library Experience
Library Media Center Director
Neuqua Valley High School; Naperville, IL 2014 - Present.
Managed all aspects of the school's 10-12th grade library program at the school's Main building. Supervised three employees. Developed and managed a large library collection. Collaborated with classroom teachers to plan and teach information literacy and technology skills lessons. Provided reference, reader's advisory services and basic technology troubleshooting for students and teachers in the library. Administered the building level student Chromebook program.
Developed and taught staff development workshops in the areas of information literacy and technology in the district and at state conferences.
Designed and developed multiple library resource and tutorial websites for the school community.
Collaborated with English department to develop and host annual National Poetry Month celebrations at our school.
Coordinateed and hosted author visits from nationally known bestselling young adult authors with a local independent bookstore.
Obtained several district foundation grants for library resources and programming.
Created original book trailers and other multimedia components to enhance classroom booktalks.
Collaborated with district high school librarians to create an information literacy skills resource website for high school students and teachers.
Collaborated with district high school librarians to create an annual high school suggested reading list of diverse titles.
Learning Resource Center Director
Community High School District 94; West Chicago, IL 2004-2014.
Managed all aspects of the school library program. Supervised five employees. Developed and managed a large library collection. Collaborated with classroom teachers to plan and teach information literacy and technology skills lessons. Provided reference, reader's advisory services and basic technology troubleshooting for students and teachers in the library.
Provided leadership during a transition to a 1:1 Chromebook environment.
Led the development and implementation of a school wide information literacy skills curriculum.
Developed and taught staff development workshops in the areas of information literacy and web 2.0 technologies in the district and at state conferences.
Created online information literacy tutorials, an MLA citation guide and various other tools to support student research.
Redesigned and developed the school library website to include a blog, multiple wikis, pathfinders, book reviews, book lists and technology tips.
Designed a publicity campaign for the promotion of the Abraham Lincoln Book award at our school using original posters, bookmarks and videos.
Coordinated biannual visits from nationally known bestselling young adult authors with a local independent bookstore.
Obtained over $50,000 in local grants and Title I funds to update our library collection with updated materials at a variety of reading levels.
Created original book trailers and other multimedia components to enhance classroom booktalks.
Developed a partnership with the Young Adult Services librarians in our surrounding communities.
Media Specialist
Oak Forest High School; Oak Forest, IL 2002-2004.
Collaborated with classroom teachers to plan and teach information literacy and technology skills lessons. Provided reference, reader's advisory services and basic technology troubleshooting for students and teachers in the library. Developed and managed the school library multimedia collection. Coordinated the acquisition and setup of school audiovisual materials. Served as school webmaster.
Created a web based book review database for an independent reading project.
Developed and taught multiple district level staff development workshops in the areas of technology and information literacy.
Redesigned and developed the school and library websites.
Information Literacy / Technology Integrator
Fenton High School; Bensenville, IL 2000-2002.
Collaborated with classroom teachers to plan and teach information literacy and technology skills lessons. Provided reference, reader's advisory services and basic technology troubleshooting for students and teachers in the library. Developed and managed the school library multimedia collection. Coordinated the acquisition and setup of school audiovisual materials. Served as school webmaster.
Developed and taught multiple school staff development workshops in the areas of technology and information literacy.
Evaluated, purchased and cataloged new educational software and videos for classroom and computer lab use.
Initiated and contributed to creation of a school wide research skills handbook.
Redesigned and developed the school Intranet, district and library websites.
Professional Associations
Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE)
Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA)
Association for Curriculum and Development (ASCD)
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
Technical Skills
Productivity: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher)
Web Design: Google Sites, Blogger, Wordpress, HTML, Dreamweaver, Fireworks
Multimedia: WeVideo, Camtasia Studio, Audacity, iMovie, Windows Movie Maker
Library: Follett Destiny, MARC, Reference Databases (e.g. Gale, EBSCO, ABC-CLIO), Advanced Search Skills
Workshops & Presentations
2018
A Library Website that Your Students and Teachers Will Actually Use. AISLE Conference. Tinley Park, IL.
2018
Help! I have to teach research skills in 5 minutes! AISLE Conference. Tinley Park, IL.
2018
Everything You Ever Needed to Know about Setting Up an Independent Reading Program in Your School. IRC Conference. Peoria, IL.
2015
Google Chrome / Drive Apps, Add-Ons and Extensions for School Librarians. Dukane Institute Day. Batavia, IL
2015
Creating Web Based Tutorials. Dukane Institute Day. Batavia, IL.
2013
Web Based Tutorials and Screencasts. Illinois Computing Educators Conference. St. Charles, IL.
2012
Setting up a Virtual Classroom. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL
2012
Showing What You Mean: Graphic Design for School Librarians. Illinois School Library Media Association Conference. St. Charles, IL.
2012
Tutorials and More: Web Based Tutorials for School Libraries. Illinois School Library Media Association Conference. St. Charles, IL.
2011-12
Teaching with Technology@WEGO. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL
2011
Igniting 21st Century Learning Through the School Library. Illinois Computing Educators. St. Charles, IL.
2010-11
Marzano and Technology Workshops. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL
2010
Use of Technology in the Classroom. Community High School District 94 School Board Meeting. West Chicago, IL.
2009
Walking in a Wiki Wonderland. 33rd Annual Statewide Conference for Teachers of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students. Oakbrook, IL
2009
Google Docs @District 94. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL.
2009
Web 2.0 Workshop for Administrators. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL.
2007
Research? No Big Deal. Illinois Association of Teachers of English Conference. Peoria, IL.
Other Professional Development Activities
National Board Certification
District Library Leadership Team
Lerner Publishing Advisory Board
Staff Development Committee
Technology Committee
21st Century Information Fluency Survey Course
Power Searching with Google
CRISS Training (Level 1)
Here's the Evidence: Teacher-librarians Help Students Achieve Grant Participant