Biography
Throughout my over 23 year career in education, I have had the opportunity to work in the classroom as a high school history teacher, as a special education teacher for students with severe emotional, mental and physical challenges and for the last more than 15 years as a teacher librarian at Union High School, Verona High School, Somerville Middle School, Highland Park High School, Columbia High School, and South Orange Middle School. I also worked as the Coordinating Supervisor of Educational Technology for the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District. My varied experience gives me a unique perspective toward working with students and teachers, drives my passion for infusing new technology into the curriculum and thinking outside the box to pique
students’ interest and keep them engaged.
I am currently also serving as a Board of Education Member for the South Orange - Maplewood School District, where I have been instrumental in helping to pass policies that strengthen the districts commitment to have diverse resources and materials available to all students. The views are my own and not those of the South Orange - Maplewood School District.
I am very interested in all things technology and have taken a great interest in how Artificial Intelligence, School Libraries and Education intersect. With that in mind I am the author of the AI School Librarians Newsletter which features different tools and resources to help educators and students learn more about AI.
I am at the forefront of using Web 2.0 resources and tools like Augmented Reality to make the experience in my library more interactive. My work has been featured in such places as NPR, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and featured in the PBS Documentary Film School Sleuth: The Case of The Wired Classroom
Articles I have written have appeared in such places School Library Connection and School Librarians Workshop. This livebinder features a collection of my media mentions. I am also often asked to give keynote address and present at conference around the country on library and educational technology topics. I have presented at such conferences as ISTE, School Library Journal Summit, Follett Future Ready Institute, NJASL, NJECC and many more. I also given in numerous webinars over the years for such organizations as the Nashville Public Schools, and Future Ready.
I am honored to be inducted into the 2022 Movers and Shakers Class and also be names a Top 100 EDTech Influencer by EdTech Digest. I am also 2014 recipient of the Bammy Award from the Academy of Education Arts and Science. In 2013, SOMS Library was awarded with the Jean Harris School Progressive Library Program of the year by the New Jersey Association of School Librarians. I was also honored to receive the International Society of Technology Educators Make IT Happen Award. In 2018 I was also a finalist for the Social Justice Superstar Award from AASL. I am also honored to be one of the first members of the Edmodo Certified Trainers Program. I am a Edmodo Certified Trainer and work with teachers and students to use Edmodo in the classroom. I am also a Level 1 & 2 Google Certified Educator and a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator. I am also honored to be chosen as one of the 2016 PBS Learning Media Local Digital Innovators. I am also honored to be named one of EdTech Top Influencers of 2022 by EdTech Digest.
I have also served on the Executive Board of the ISTE Librarian Network first as the Professional Development Chairperson, than as the ISTE President - Elect, and in 2017 -2018 as the ISTE Librarians Network President. I am also the Former Chairperson of the Future Ready Librarians Taskforce for the State of New Jersey and do work as an advisor for the National Future Ready Librarians Taskforce. I am also on the advisory team for EveryLibrary.
In my spare time I am the mother to a college student at Ithaca College, an educational advocate & activist, and gardener.
students’ interest and keep them engaged.
I am currently also serving as a Board of Education Member for the South Orange - Maplewood School District, where I have been instrumental in helping to pass policies that strengthen the districts commitment to have diverse resources and materials available to all students. The views are my own and not those of the South Orange - Maplewood School District.
I am very interested in all things technology and have taken a great interest in how Artificial Intelligence, School Libraries and Education intersect. With that in mind I am the author of the AI School Librarians Newsletter which features different tools and resources to help educators and students learn more about AI.
I am at the forefront of using Web 2.0 resources and tools like Augmented Reality to make the experience in my library more interactive. My work has been featured in such places as NPR, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and featured in the PBS Documentary Film School Sleuth: The Case of The Wired Classroom
Articles I have written have appeared in such places School Library Connection and School Librarians Workshop. This livebinder features a collection of my media mentions. I am also often asked to give keynote address and present at conference around the country on library and educational technology topics. I have presented at such conferences as ISTE, School Library Journal Summit, Follett Future Ready Institute, NJASL, NJECC and many more. I also given in numerous webinars over the years for such organizations as the Nashville Public Schools, and Future Ready.
I am honored to be inducted into the 2022 Movers and Shakers Class and also be names a Top 100 EDTech Influencer by EdTech Digest. I am also 2014 recipient of the Bammy Award from the Academy of Education Arts and Science. In 2013, SOMS Library was awarded with the Jean Harris School Progressive Library Program of the year by the New Jersey Association of School Librarians. I was also honored to receive the International Society of Technology Educators Make IT Happen Award. In 2018 I was also a finalist for the Social Justice Superstar Award from AASL. I am also honored to be one of the first members of the Edmodo Certified Trainers Program. I am a Edmodo Certified Trainer and work with teachers and students to use Edmodo in the classroom. I am also a Level 1 & 2 Google Certified Educator and a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator. I am also honored to be chosen as one of the 2016 PBS Learning Media Local Digital Innovators. I am also honored to be named one of EdTech Top Influencers of 2022 by EdTech Digest.
I have also served on the Executive Board of the ISTE Librarian Network first as the Professional Development Chairperson, than as the ISTE President - Elect, and in 2017 -2018 as the ISTE Librarians Network President. I am also the Former Chairperson of the Future Ready Librarians Taskforce for the State of New Jersey and do work as an advisor for the National Future Ready Librarians Taskforce. I am also on the advisory team for EveryLibrary.
In my spare time I am the mother to a college student at Ithaca College, an educational advocate & activist, and gardener.
