Shocked and Honored

Last night , I was so honored to be chosen by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences as the 2014 winner of the Bammy Award in the school librarian category. I am in total shock because I honestly did not feel worthy to be mentioned as a finalist. Shannon Miller, Jennifer Lagarde, Laura Fleming, and Jonathan Werner are all librarians that I learn from on a daily basis. 

Pernille Ripp, who I greatly admire,  wrote this outstanding blog post on the Bammy Awards today. I love her sentiment that we should recognize all the amazing educators out there who do the hardest job in the world. They shape the minds of the young people in their charge every day.  
So today I am going to recognize some the amazing educators and friends who have helped me to become the person I am today. I can not name them all but will honor just a few here. 

• Shannon Miller - When I first started to become a connected librarian you were the person I strived to be. Your dedication to the TL community, your love of children and your willingness to share amaze me. I am so lucky that I can not only learn from you on a daily basis but I can now call you one of my dearest friends. 
• Joyce Valenza - I have been a fan of yours for such a long time. Years ago I totally "fangirled" you at the NJSAL conference when you gave the keynote. Your passion and your amazing mind inspire me. I can not tell you how much I have modeled what I did as a librarian on your teachings. 
• Nikki D. Roberston - Not only are you one of the most technologically advanced people I have ever meet, but you are also one of the most fun. I love collaborating with you, and learning from you. I also love our Voxer chats, and your willingness to speak your mind, even if it is not the most popular thing to say. Events are just not as much fun when you are not around! 
• Jennifer Lagarde - I have admired you and your work for so long. I can not begin to tell you how many ideas I have "stolen" from you over the years. Your knowledge and passion are amazing. When I listen to you present and speak it is like going to the church of Jen. I have so many "ahem" moments. I love "vortexing" with you and I am so happy to call you  a friend. 
• Tiffany Whitehead, Sherry Glick, Jen Hanson, and Donna MacDonald - my ISTE Librarians Network crew. I love each and every one of you. I learn from all of you on a daily basis. I can not thank you enough for allowing me to be part of your amazing group. You all are rockstars in my book! And maybe, just maybe Donna will leave her library :-)
• Laura Fleming - your work with Makerspaces and digital badges is beyond amazing. What you have done in just one short year at New Milford shows the value of a good school librarian. I learn from you constantly! 
• Jonathan Werner - You are not only an amazing librarian but also a true gentleman. The flowers were so nice and sweet and I promise to continue the new tradition next year. 
• Johanna Wright - Without you I would never be the recipient of this award. A few years ago I was about to give up being a librarian. I was branded by some as an uncooperative, non collaborative person. I was made to believe that I did not know what I was doing, and it led me to question if I was really cut out for the job. My ability was being hampered and I was not allowed to grow and experiment. You saw that clearly when I could not. You helped me to get out of that situation and had a vision for me that I did not have in myself. For that I will always be grateful. 
• Melissa Butler - I would not be half of the librarian I am today without you. You were willing to let me try all types of crazy ideas with your students. Your willingness to collaborate and grow and take risks is something most teachers don't have. We made one great team for a long time and I know we will continue to find ways to work together. You have become one of my dearest friends and I will always love you.
• To the amazing teachers at SOMS - You guys all rock! You do a thankless job in a hard situation. No matter what is going on you always have the students' best interests at heart. I love all of you for being willing to put up with me for all those years. I miss all of you daily and I thank you for watching out from my son. I know he is in great hands and is getting a great education. 
• There are a few other people who I will not name, but they know who they, are who believed in me when I did not believe in myself. Who helped me through a hard time in my life and supported me when I needed it. Though some are no longer a part of my life, I would not be where I was today without them. 
• To my husband and son who constantly support me and are my biggest cheerleaders. They let me go to all these conferences and put up with my twitter chats and google hangouts. I love both of you so much. 
  

To all of the other amazing educators out there every day. You are the true rockstars. You deserve this award as much if not more then I do. 

Thank you to everyone who voted for me, who helped me on my journey and who will be there for me for years to come. I have such an amazing PLN and I am so thankful to have you all as a part of my life.