About me

I have been a school librarian since 1991. I won't tell you how long I have been teaching because that would give away my age. I worked at the elementary level for 12 years. I loved working with the little ones and telling stories, using puppets, singing songs, and getting the kids excited about books. However, there comes a time when we need to change to grow. Since 2003 I have been working with students at the middle and high level.

I am currently working at Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy in Jefferson, LA, a suburb of New Orleans. Taylor serves about 300 students in grades 6th -12th. The school is small, but it is part of the Jefferson Parish school system and the only STEM school in the district. In 2010 Patrick Taylor was given the title of Blue Ribbon school by the US Department of Education. Louisiana has rated it an A+.

While at Taylor, I have won three separate grants from the Laura Bush foundation to stock the shelves with quality material. I also received a Beyond Words grant from Dollar General and the American Association of School Librarians. In 2007, I won a visit with author, Tiffany Trent, in a contest sponsored by The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of  the American Library Association. Also, the Young Adult Library Services Association selected Bookmarked, my high school library book group, to participate in the YA Galley program for 2010-2012, In March of 2011, the Louisiana Association of School Librarians named me the School Library Media Specialist of the year. In September of 2011, I received (along with English teacher, Lisa Valence) the Gale TEAMS Award for Middle School. I received the Region I Educator of the Year award from the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE) in November 2011. Beginning in January 2012, I am reviewing books for both Library Media Connection and School Library Journal.

As you can see, I am very busy. I am passionate about reading young adult literature, and I love working in the library. If you are in the neighborhood, come visit us at Patrick Taylor.

Links to content written by me or about me:
What Middle School Students are Reading, SLJ Extra Helping
AASL Member Spotlight
2011 Educator of the Year, Region I for LACUE