I have served on a variety of committees for the California School Library ... processes, diverse resources, and technol
Candidate Information The following officers are being elected to the State Board: • • • •
President Elect Secretary Vice President Professional Development Vice President Government Relations
The following officers are being elected to the Northern Region Board: • President Elect • Treasurer • Section 1 Representative • Section 2 Representative • Section 3 Representative • Section 4 Representative The following officers are being elected to the Southern Region Board: • President Elect • Treasurer • Section 1 Representative • Section 2 Representative • Section 3 Representative • Section 4 Representative • Section 5 Representative • Section 6 Representative All officers are elected for two-year terms, with the exception of Presidents Elect, who serve a three-year commitment, first as President Elect, then President, and, finally, Past President. Each of the newly-elected Section Representatives will join a co-representative completing the second year of his/her term. For more information about officers and terms, please see the CSLA Bylaws, posted on the CSLA website at bit.ly/cslabylaws
California School Library Association Election 2014 State President Elect Beth Olshewsky
I currently serve as the Supervisor of Media Services for Santa Clara County Office of Education, having recently transitioned here from being the Tulare County Library Media Supervisor. I have worked with district and school library services in Tulare, Kings, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara Counties and feel I still have a foot in Southern California and the Central Valley, even as I build an awareness of South (San Francisco) Bay school library needs. I realize that gives me three feet (which I guess makes me very stable). I have 23 years of experience in education, as a classroom teacher, teacher-librarian, and administrator working at the school site, district, and county office levels. I have served on a variety of committees for the California School Library Association, American Library Association, International Board on Books for Young People, as well as local community committees supporting literacy and education. I currently serve as the chair for the Committee for Standards Integration for CSLA and as one of the co-chairs for the 2015 CSLA Annual Conference and Centennial Celebration, as the AASL member representative to the joint AAS-AWNSL-AASL National School Library Program of the Year Committee, and on the USBBY Membership Committee. I am a collaborative leader who builds teams, plans strategically, and moves systems toward more effective practices. I want to lead CSLA through continuing transformation as we become more inclusive, diverse, collaborative, responsive, and productive. Under my tenure, CSLA will continue to provide support to our members across the state as you transform your libraries to meet the evolving needs of our educational communities. We are the front-line advocates for literacy in the broadest sense for all students: This includes basic literacy (reading and writing), information literacy (understanding and engaging in the research process, including critical evaluation and creative and ethical use of resources), digital and media literacy (use of multiple and evolving technologies and media to access, utilize, organize, and share information, to collaborate and innovate, and for creative expression), literacy related to specific fields (scientific literacy, historical 4/8/2014
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California School Library Association Election 2014 literacy, etc.), and visual literacy (critical evaluation and interpretation along with deliberate creation of image elements in fine arts and other visual media) among others. We not only enable students to develop fluent, strategic use of all these essential aspects of literacy, but foster their love of each of these areas and their sense of selfefficacy as learners and critically adept citizens. We collaborate effectively with other educators and learners integrating their goals with the information literacy processes, diverse resources, and technology tools that best support their current and future work. I share your commitment to promoting these areas of literacy and our students’ needs through the use of the Model School Library Standards for California Public Schools in conjunction with the California Common Core Subject Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, and other discipline and career specific standards and expectations. Collectively, CSLA members bring diverse strengths in the provision of learning experiences, reading support, collection development, technology integration, reference, circulation, technical and bibliographic services, subject area expertise and information literacy supporting PreK-18 and professional educator needs. As we collaborate, our synergy further develops our practices for the benefit of students and educators throughout California. CSLA will continue to strengthen our connections to one another as we champion the values of literacy, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to information in all formats, and together, we will use our collective voice to strengthen partnerships with diverse stakeholders. Thank you for considering my candidacy.
State Secretary Nina Jackson (incumbent)
I have been the Teacher Librarian at Franklin Classical Middle School in Long Beach USD since 1995, the same year I became a member of CSLA. After serving as Section (then Region) rep and the Southern Region (then Section) Secretary, I was elected as the State Secretary in 2007. I have been serving as State Secretary since then. I would like to serve as State Secretary for one more term.
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California School Library Association Election 2014 State Vice President Professional Development Susan Pennell (incumbent) I was a classroom teacher for ten years and a site and district level teacher librarian for six years. I have been at the Madera County Office of Education since 2000, where I serve as the Manager of Library Media Services. My credentials: Multiple Subject, Early Childhood Education Specialist, Teacher Librarian, and Administrative Services. My advanced degrees: M. A. in Early Childhood Education and M.L.I.S. CSLA: I have been fortunate to serve as your Vice President of Professional Development for the past year and a half, and look forward to serving the next two years. As the VP of PD, I am fortunate to work with two stellar committees, the California Young Reader Medal Committee and the Committee for Standards Integration. Earlier this year I coordinated a Saturday webinar on the new LCAP/LCFF to better help our members understand the new funding formula and what school libraries need to do help secure some of those funds. This along with school libraries leading the implementation of the various new academic standards, and our own Model School Library Standards will be a focus in the professional development opportunities CSLA offers our members. The content CSLA PD sessions will be relevant to both public and independent school library staffs. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Vice President of Professional Development for the next two years.
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California School Library Association Election 2014 State Vice President Government Relations Glen Warren (incumbent) It has been my honor to educate and advocate for school library services to all educational stakeholders and leadership. With your support, I will continue to make every effort to rally every voice in support of moving school librarianship out of the land of "optional" to the promise land of "essential" with funding as non-negotiable. An example of recent work: http://www.slj.com/2014/01/schools/california-school-librarians-look-tohigher-ed-during-advocacy-overhaul/ For more information: http://tiny.cc/glenwarren
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Northern Region President Elect Lisa Bishop
• 7 years as Bilingual Teacher Librarian at a K-5 Spanish Immersion school in Mission district SFUSD • Taught for 22 years proudly serving mostly low-income and immigrant students and families as a project-based/inquiry- based teacher in 2nd5th grades, mainly 4th/5th • Teacher leader, Tech leader • CSLA Jewell Gardiner Scholarship recipient and want to give back to this great organization • 2 years as Section 4 Representative of Northern Region 2012-2014 • Mother of two children, Talya and Lucas • Multi-lingual- Spanish, Swedish, English I would be honored to serve as Northern Region President Elect to help reinvigorate California schools with a Teacher Librarian in every school in this great state. School libraries are more essential than ever before and I will work to stop the hemorrhaging of Teacher Librarians from our schools and work to make sure that Californians know the importance of having a credentialed TL in every school. All California children deserve this necessary service at their schools. We are not only well trained in the best book selections for every developmental level, we are also Tech leaders and support each school site in all areas digital. We support inquiry, synthesis, reflection and creativity. I want to make sure that magic and imagination is kept alive in our school libraries as we fold ourselves deeply into the Common Core. I’m currently interviewing children’s authors about the importance of School Librarians and their testimonies will help our cause. My philosophy is that students, teachers and school communities in California deserve access to information, computers, books and all things that help them become critical thinkers and creative human beings. The huge achievement gap that exists will only get bigger if we don’t step in. We need to unify in this effort to stop TL’s from being the first to be cut at a school when budgets get tight. Our role is so complex and important but Californians don’t really know all that we do or can do, I will help change this misinformation and image along with the other magnificent CSLA Teacher Librarians. 4/8/2014
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Northern Region Treasurer Renée Ousley-Swank (incumbent)
I have served the past four years in this position and would like the opportunity to continue serving CSLA. Since beginning my career as a teacher librarian I have been an active member of CSLA. I served the past seven years as the CTA liaison to CSLA, until I was selected as the School Library Technology Consultant at the California Department of Education. Advocating for strong school library programs is my priority.
Northern Region – Section 1 Representative Michelle Gantt
I have been a credentialed librarian for thirteen of my eighteen years teaching, working in a total of five school districts and nine schools. Each has had its strengths and weaknesses and I have learned from every position. It has been delightful to see the growth in the library field and I look forward to even bigger change on the horizon. I feel like we are making a huge comeback professionally and I hope to be one who can help lead the charge. I am excited to serve in a position where I will be able to influence others by being in the know. It is my belief that teacher librarians are an integral part of each school site’s instructional leadership team. They can push the level of success to a higher degree if given the opportunity to collaborate with the classroom teachers.
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Northern Region – Section 2 Representative Wendy Chason
I am interested in submitting my name as a representative to the Northern Section Board to continue my work and interest in CSLA. I have been an active member of the association for 20 years, have served on a variety of conference committees, as well as chairing and co-chairing two conferences. I have received the President’s Award and the Diversity Award from the Association. I also served on the CYRM committee for a three-year term, and chaired the CYRM Banquet while serving in this role. Outside of CSLA, I am the incoming member of the Friends of the Mondavi Board, which fund raises for young people to attend events at this performing arts center, and am a member of Words Take Wing, a committee that brings authors of diversity to the Sacramento area. I was also an Instructor in the Library Credential Program CSU, Sacramento. I believe my broad background and training will be valuable to this position and am looking forward to serving.
Northern Region – Section 3 Representative Lisa Huddleston (incumbent)
I am a Library Media Technician working in the Golden Valley Unified School District in the central San Joaquin Valley at an elementary and high school. I have been at the elementary school level for 15 years, and just started this year also working at the high school level. Although my primary job has always been at the elementary school level, working at our district middle and high schools have been great experiences working at all school library levels. I currently serve as a Northern Region Section 3 Representative, mainly because I am a paraprofessional. In the beginning I was the only library school 4/8/2014
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California School Library Association Election 2014 staff in our school district, running the library program for my elementary school. I immediately turned to CSLA for information and education to do the best job I could. I feel all school library staff need to be actively involved with making school libraries the very best programs they can be, regardless of what our job responsibilities entail. A school library program is the heart and soul of a school. By being involved with CSLA and their great advocacy for better school library programs, we all benefit in so many ways. The school library programs we work in and the students we serve benefit the most. I became more involved because I wanted to be a part of that whole process, especially during our most challenging times. Thank you for your consideration for this position.
Northern Region – Section 4 Representative Brooke Carey Ahrens
I’m currently an Instructional Technology Coordinator at Notre Dame High School in San Jose. I earned my MLIS and MA in Education from SJSU, focusing on Youth Librarianship. Before entering the SJSU SLIS program, I worked as a Reading Specialist, English and Social Studies teacher for 11 years. I’m a Google Certified Teacher, passionate about technology, literacy and education. I’ve been involved with CSLA by helping to plan both the 2012 and 2014 conferences. I look forward to meeting more CSLA members!
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Southern Region – President-Elect Sharlene Paxton
I work as a teacher librarian and instructional technology coach for Sierra Sands Unified School District in the Mojave Desert town of Ridgecrest. Of the many roles I have had as an educator, being a school librarian is by far my favorite. The multi-faceted and constantly evolving nature of the school librarian’s role allows numerous opportunities to provide exemplary service to students and staff and many opportunities for professional growth. I would like to serve as the CSLA Southern Section President-Elect because after serving this past year as CSLA Southern Section 1 Representative, I have realized many benefits of serving in a leadership position. I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet more of my school librarian colleagues and contribute to an organization that has greatly contributed to the successes I have achieved as a school librarian. CSLA provides school librarians opportunities for collaborating professionally, creating supportive relationships, and working together to preserve and improve the role of school libraries in California’s schools. As our state’s budget continues to improve and districts restore staffing, CSLA will play a vital role in ensuring that librarians are part of the restoration process. I am a passionate advocate for school libraries and take advantage of every opportunity to educate, enlighten, and inform stakeholders about the vital role school libraries play in student learning. By working together, we can continue to educate stakeholders about the important role of school libraries and work to improve the funding and conditions of school libraries for California’s students.
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Southern Region – Treasurer Caroline Gill
After working as a National Board Certified teacher librarian at Palms MS for 23 years in LAUSD, and being defunded, I am now enjoying my 3rd year at Venice HS library and the community support there. CSLA’s workshops, annual meetings and publications have always provided excellent continued education and access to sources and people needed for my work. Currently I am serving again as treasurer of our LA School Librarian’s Association (LASLA) and have been treasurer for FOCAL (Friends of Children and Literature) at LAPL. I would be honored to serve on this excellent board of our absolutely essential organization, of which I have been a very long time member.
Southern Region – Section 1 Representative (Vote for two of the three candidates. One representative will serve a two-year term. The second will fill a one-year unexpired term.)
Mindy Wilmot
Teacher librarians have always served a vital role in the schools in which they work, but with advances in technology and the implementation of Common Core, the need for knowledgeable informational specialists has become even more important. Each and every one of us wears multiple hats – some at multiple locations. My hope is that we continue to collaborate and share best practices in an effort to better assist our students, our staffs, and our profession. I look forward to the opportunity as serving as Southern Region Section 1 Representative. 4/8/2014
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Southern Region – Section 1 Representative (continued) Marsha Barr
I have been at Santa Barbara High School as the full-time Teacher Librarian since 1999. When I became the Teacher Librarian, I was also serving as PTSA President, and I still hold a position on our PTSA board. I also have served on our school’s Site Council since 1999, and have been its chair for several years. I attend the California School Library Association and CUE conferences each year, and this summer I will attend the American Library Association (ALA) Conference in Las Vegas. I wish to serve as Southern Section’s, Section 1 Representative, because I want to give back to CSLA for all its wonderful professional development opportunities for Teacher Librarians, like myself.
Carol Forbes
I have been a library media specialist for 16 years, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I love learning about new social media resources for education and sharing them with staff and students. I have learned so much from several of my library colleagues, and I relish the opportunity to potentially contribute to this community of library professionals.
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Southern Region – Section 2 Representative Steve Miller
I am currently a Los Angeles Unified School District teacher librarian at a fourhigh school campus located in San Fernando, California. I’ve also had the pleasure of serving as the president of the Los Angeles School Library Association this current year. I’m looking to serve as the Southern Region Section 1 Representative and get more involved with school libraries at the state level, specifically Southern California. I have met some wonderful teacher librarians and would love to serve the Southern California teacher librarian community more.
Southern Region – Section 3 Representative Jane Brooks
Although this is my 34th year as a Teacher Librarian, I continue to learn via interaction with colleagues. Planned gatherings for several nearby sections, with an agenda, would provide an opportunity for mutual exchange and I would present at least two. I believe that interaction with the public library is important, and I would include either representatives or communication from them. I am willing to do assist CSLA with any needs that they have for this region.
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Southern Region – Section 4 Representative Rosan Cable
I have been a teacher librarian since 2008 in the Garden Grove Unified School District. I earned my librarian credential and master’s degree from CSU, Long Beach in May 2010. I thoroughly enjoy being a teacher librarian at the intermediate school level! I find that learning is primary to a student’s educational progress and that our job, as a teacher librarian, can help a student along this educational walkway. I am running for Southern Section Representative for Region 4 because I would like to be more active in CSLA, and this is a great opportunity.
Southern Region – Section 5 Representative Erin Southam (incumbent)
It is my job to provide information and ideas that are fundamental to functioning successfully in today’s information and knowledge-based society. I strive to equip students with lifelong learning skills and develop the imagination, helping students to live as responsible citizens and succeed in our global community.
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California School Library Association Election 2014 Southern Region – Section 6 Representative (Vote for two of the two candidates. One representative will serve a two-year term. The second will fill a one-year unexpired term.)
Mark Williams ((incumbent; two-year term)
California’s students and school librarians need a strong voice to advocate for school libraries and literacy. CSLA IS that voice. I have been a member of CSLA all my professional life, and have served as a Region Representative for nearly six years, as well as serving on several State Conference Committees. I would be honored to serve AGAIN as Region Six’s representative.
Victoria Waddle (one-year term to fill an unexpired vacancy)
I have received so much help from CSLA in my career as a teacher librarian. I’d like to give a little back by volunteering.
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