December 2007 Grads or Licensees

• Michelle Easton
• Jane Phelps

• Ginger Harris
• Lori Demumbran
• Trevenia Jones
• Tina Ripley
• Kimberly Gaither
• Kandi Biggs
• Kay Qualls

• Alice Stofel
• Tanya Stinson
• Michelle McDaniel
• Jennifer Fields

• Chastity Crosslin
• Jodi Haynes
• Quinn (Margaret) Mounger

• Christy Anderson
• Ruth Anstey
• Rachel Artley
• Kimberly Barlow
• Lori Brown
• Krista Denton
• Judy Gregg
• Ashlee Hover
• Chrystal Stallings
• Julie Scudder
• Glenda Stephens
• Kathy Wimberly

• Tamera Blair
• Ashlee Ensey
• Heather Gray
• Erin Grugett
• Amanda Murray
• Susan Powell
• Melissa Wilkinson

• Sandy Dilbeck

• Carissa Benton
• Melissa Dobbs
• Cynthia Gentry
• Karen Marks
• Amy Miller
• Rachel Rigsby
• Kandy Shemwell

• Anita Harrison Campbell
• Susan Carpenter
• Leigh Hall
• Scotti Harris
• Bonnie Major
• John Sullivan

• Susan Echols
• Joanna Miller
• Katie Moisant
• Bobbie Jean Palmer

• Jane Atnip
• Christine Appling
• Elizabeth Clem
• Judy Conley
• Amanda Kendrick Gordon
• Vanessa Harriman
• Marianne Helton
• Nancy Joplin
• Marsell Leeman
• Deborah Mahan
• Nancy Rainier
• Candace Powers
• Summer Shields
• Elizabeth Schurger

• Sue Hasse
• Linda McCrary
• Ann Nored
• Kelly  Robinson
• Shanna Simmons

Prior to 2003

• Lindsey Kimery Anderson
• Laurie Cantrell
• Donna Hatmaker
• Kelly Armstrong Jones
• Sue Smartt
• Jan Walker

• Barbara Edwards
• Leanna Kulas
• Anne Green
• Peggy McGill
• June Moon
• Lynn Reynolds
• Tracy Sullins
• Tiane Tittle

• Geraldine Amis
• Cindy Bates
• Tammy Coop
• Jennifer Bennett
• Susan Hendry
• Amy Forshee
• Kimberly Daly
• Teresa Fussell
• Bobbi Hillis
• Ruth Franklin
• Ruth Hagood
• Hope Hall
• Beth Hastings
• Ann Kimbler
• Lori Lancaster
• Shirley McCafferty
• Debbie Mahan

• Wendy Nowlin
• Beth Owenby
• Laurie Offutt
• Susan Oldham
• Tracy Parker
• Melanie Potts
• Sara Roediger
• Chris Sanborn
• Nancy Sandvig
• Summer Shields
• Sanita Smith
• Wilma Suttles
• Julie Tidwell
• Amy Wilson
• Laura Youmans

Fall 2003 Woodland MS in Williamson County

I was able to change my library schedule completely by offering many sources stating the importance of a good media program and its affect on student achievement.  I have been appointed the chairperson for our Reading First initiative  here at my school and am learning a great deal about the foundational skills     required for reading.  I never knew I didn't know this much with regards to how children acquire all the skills necessary to begin to learn to read.  Have you  participated in any Reading First training?  We are completing an online course through the Appalachia Educational Laboratory.  The information is very    interesting and makes one truly think of the powerful gift reading brings to a  person.  I also think of these students who are "falling behind" and am so depressed when I give the DIBELS testing.  It only makes me want to work that much harder.
 

I  am the new librarian at Mt. Pleasant High School. I am getting settled in,  in my new position and I have to say I love it!!! I was very worried about the move from teaching kindergarten to working with 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, but I worried for no reason. It has been a whirl-wind of activity since I was given the position, but in a real good way. I really can't decide which part of the library I like the best, teaching or  trying to "sell" the books. It really feels good when that special group of avid readers make their way in to the library and ask, "hey Mrs. Brown,  can you tell me about another good book you've read."

"I am the “Head Librarian” at a 6-12 inner-city public school- Howard School of Academics and Technology here in Chattanooga .

Believe me it has its challenges- working in a setting where 98% of the students qualify for free lunches; however, these kids are so very special.  According to Hamilton County Dept of Educ, Howard School of Academics and Technology has more gifted students than any other school in the district.  My job, as I see it, is not to ‘save’ these students.  My job is to help empower them.  They have strong skills both for adapting and surviving.  The deficits they have can be addressed given the motivation and some positive mentoring relationships with their teachers.  It is an exciting place to work as we strive to press the kids and the staff to ‘reach’ everyday above their comfort zone.  I am so very grateful and feel blest to have this opportunity."

Woodlawn Elementary and appointed as Murray County  System Media Director  (Georgia)

Sept. 2004

Ms. Boudreau,
   
    Hope that your classes are going well!
   
    I was able to attend a media specialist consortium on Friday.  We learned
    that Georgia will be doing a study on the impact of quality library
    programs on student achievement.  Cobb County will be the focus area, but
    other SLMSs in Georgia will complete a survey.
   
    Representatives from Alexandria were also there.  They have a new Big6
    tool that is part of their software.
   
    I have found a lot of helpful information at two websites.  Georgia
    Learning Connections offers info for media specialists.  Of course it is
    geared toward Ga SLMSs, but the info is still valuable.
   
    http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/trc/cluster.asp?mode=browse&intPathID=5263
   
    I have gotten several neat lesson ideas from the Mt. Erie Elementary
    School website.  I used the kindergarten lesson on the "Incredibly
    Fantastic Story" with our PreK, K, and 1st graders.  They remember the
    rules! They all want to tell me about the little tears and marks in the
    books that they checkout.  Our book hospital is full!
   
    http://mte.anacortes.k12.wa.us/library/library.htm
   
    Betsy
Aug 2004

Eton Elementary in Chatsworth, GA.  
 

Dec. 13, 2003
You can finally add me to the alumni group!!  Whoo, whoo...I made it!  Between several grad students, we finally figured out the hood and how to wear it.  Only took 4 tries to get it right!!!  You missed the world's longest graduation -- would you believe it was 3 hours long!  But it was worth it for my family and me.  We are all so proud of "Mom" and how she has survived all that she has done.  God has been so good to us, all.
    A few things you might need to know:
          I'm at David Youree Elementary School in Smyrna.  We are a K-5 school with about 700 students.  I run a 1/2 day fixed, 1/2 day flex schedule.  When I came (2 years ago) it was all fixed --classes all day long. My principal was willing to change to this schedule to allow for collaboration. At this point, I have several teachers who collaborate on a regular schedule, and new recruits join each year! 
      Besides school and church, I stay busy with two wonderful teenage girls (17 and 19), who are anxiously wanting out of the nest!  Not so sure I'm going to like this "empty nest" thing! 
       Thanks for this alumni site.  Good way to keep in touch with friends and colleagues. 
                                                      Laurie Cantrell

Librarian at "Old Center Elementary (Metro) and LOVE it! During the interview, the team asked
    me several questions about my philosophy of librarianship and the programs I
    would implement as librarian. My ideas and their dream of an ideal library
    program meshed perfectly. The school was remodelled during the year last year
    and the library is brand new. We are using the same collection but the principal
    is eager to add to it and has committed to giving me additional funds to build
    it up. (The fiction section does not even fill one bookcase!)"

8/2003
New baby! Elizabeth Christine Gordon
Born: 8:27:03
Weighs 8-11
Length 20 in
See photo

Friendship Christian School.

hope.hall05@comcast.net

Librarian at Croft's MS in Metro, "the zoo school." 8/2004 See the article on Hope's grant writing results.

also at HarrisS01@k12tn.net.

librarian at Merrol Hyde Magnet school (elementary) in Hendersonville

Litton Middle School Library Information Specialist
w - 262-6700 x 7
 

    ilovetoread03@hotmail.com 

7/27/03
  Just wanted you all to know that we will be welcoming a new baby girl into 
    our family around December 8th.  According to ultrasound, all was well although 
    "Baby Sister" was being quite shy and we almost didn't get to know what she 
    was!! 

1/03
Teaching 2nd grade at Oak Grove Elementary in Lewisburg, TN.  "I'm married with a two year old son.  Life is good!"

Deborah.Mahan@mail.wilson.k12.nc.us

One thing that I am doing and enjoying is writing book reviews.  NC Dept. of Public Instruction puts out a brochure of book reviews several times a year.  They asked for people to apply to be reviewers last spring.  I sent a sample in and was selected to participate.  Was given a 3-day training in Raleigh and now read and review books for the state.  You just never know!

8/2004 Graduating and I am at Spring Hope Elem, Spring Hope, NC.
 

Black Fox E -- I would love to be included in this group--although I received my certification so long ago it was in the Ms. Edwards' days (and she was a  jewel)!!

Lindacoppell@aol.com

2005 Travels to Russia and Germany

2004 Moving to Dallas!

8/03
Smyrna Middle School.

jrmiller_37037@yahoo.com

    Keep in touch.
    June
 

7/20/03 

Thank goodness I have no new baby or puppy to share with this group

As I was just hired Friday I have barely stuck my baby toe in the water, but I have come across a letter written by the former librarian addressed to businesses requesting that they donate their computers as they are updated.  The thought of accepting "old computers" is not overly appealing to me based on the horror stories of a librarian friend of mine who told me after accepting an "old computer" someone was getting rid of, she ended up with a room full of "useless" computers.  Any insights on how this can be handled would be helpful.  I'm assuming the letters were mailed the end of last school year. 

Since the school population is very small the library budget will be as well.  One of the first things in the consideration file is a new set of encyclopedias.  The most recent edition is 10 years old.

Also, the easy books are grouped according to AR reading levels...philosophically I disagree with this.  My special education background tells me that a 3rd grader, with a learning disability, reading on a first or second grade level could be embarrassed by having to go to the "little kids" shelves to get a book.  After asking around I hear that this grouping is not uncommon.  Any opinions on this would be appreciated as well. 

Other than these three issues, the fact that I've found a set of BIP from 1991 or so and a Children's Books Catalog dated 1966 on the shelves, and no rocking chair, my library is perfect!

June

1/2007 St. Bernard, while the librarian is on leave

I have changed schools this year.  I am now at North Lee Elementary.  It's about 5 minutes from my house and has approximately 130 more students.  I still have a fixed schedule, and it is very busy...as in 11 classes a day, but I do have a half-time assistant.  She is a lovely woman, and she is willing to learn, which is a good thing.

or laurieoffutt@bellsouth.net
 

June 2005

Scales Elementary on St. Andrew's Drive in Murfreesboro

8/2003 Kpatten can affirm that the video room works! Visited with Laurie and Ruth Franklin after an inservice; Mary Grace learned a good use for post-its from Mrs. P (Sorry, Laurie)
1/2003 Wilson Central High School in Lebanon, TN. Has a video distribution room that really works! 

1/04
Volunteering at Franklin High School one day a week, to keep her hand in

" I am still at home with Emily and loving it...I love being at home now, but when Emily starts school, I'll be ready to dive back in."

1/03
I'm attending the Georgia Children's Literature Conference at UGA in a few weeks. Jack Gantos, P. Munoz Ryan, Walter Dean Myers and two others will be there. I'm really looking forward to it! Take care!

2005-06 Working with ITD at MTSU and providing wonderful training seminars for faculty (plus much more).

mpeery@k12tn.net

Lynn is the new librarian at Cole's Ferry Elementary! I wonder if she is excited about this ;-)

1/03
Pennington Elementary in Nashville.  "Thanks for starting this link for us.  I look forward to many good ideas and keeping up with friends."

9/04 Librarian at Bellwood El in Murfreesboro.

11/03
Librarian at Woodland School in Woodbury. 
"As you probably know through Chris Sanborn I did get the library job at Woodland and I love it. It's hard to believe they pay me for this. I also got several other jobs as well like the computer lab, A.R. and the year book. You said we would get extra jobs and boy you weren't kidding. I am so overwhelmed."  But in a good way we hope!

use the school address first:

cstallings@bradleyschools.org
 

or

stephensg2@k12tn.net
 

4/04 College Street El, Manchester librarian
1/5/04
Librarian at Page High  School, Williamson County