Professional Experience

Library Media Specialist, Frances Drake Elementary School

August 2017 - Present

As Library Media Specialist for the entire school, I teach weekly lessons in computer skills, digital citizenship and research, and developing a personal interest in literature to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. I collaborate with classroom teachers to cover learning standards through research lessons, and to provide sets of books that can supplement units of study in the classroom

Responsibilities include:

-Inviting authors and historical reenactors for schoolwide assemblies

-Planning and implementing Scholastic Book Fairs three times a year 

-Yearly celebration of Children’s Book Week

-Yearly Mock Caldecott/Mock Geisel events

 -Frequent Makerspace opportunities for students 

-Scheduling, troubleshooting, and providing makeups for schoolwide MAP assessments three times a year

In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I develop and maintain the school’s library collection, coordinating book checkouts and returns for 600 students weekly. Taking into account learning standards, student interest, and teacher requests, I acquire new titles to support our school community and remove outdated materials to keep the collection current. 

Responsibilities include:

-Sourcing budgetary funds (book fair revenue, donations, etc.)

-Maintaining a budget to fund books/periodicals, equipment, and supplies

-Book purchasing, processing, and covering 

-Checking in and shelving materials 

-Developing a system of “library cards” to allow students to check out books efficiently

-Communicating when books are overdue to teachers and students

-Creating, training, and overseeing The Library Club, a group of students who use free time to support in the Media Center by shelving books and doing other tasks

Contributing Writer, Book riot

January 2016 - Present

I develop content based on bookish themes ranging from picture books to feminism. Special focuses include children's literature/young adult titles and body positive/fat acceptance themes.

Classroom Teacher, Frances Drake Elementary School

August 2008 - June 2017

I've taught kindergarten and first grade to students with and without disabilities. My experience includes writing and reporting on Individual Education Plans and differentiating materials and instruction for students with a range of needs.

I'm trained in the following:
-Responsive Classroom techniques
-Lucy Calkin's Writer's Workshop
-Sheltered English Immersion strategies

I have used the following curriculum products:
-Fundations (phonics)
-enVisions (math)
-Investigations (math)
-Reach for Reading (National Geographic, reading)
-Wonders (reading)

I use trade literature to help my students connect to and engage with concepts in all subject areas, and have built a classroom library designed to inspire young readers. My goal is to find stimulating literature for all my students, no matter where they fall in the developmental curve of mastering reading.

I have served as teacher liaison for the PTO, a member of the school Data Team, and the Responsive Classroom Committee, where I have helped write grants to provide my school with funds to roll out community-building programs. I have also run The Dragon's Eye, a student-written newspaper.