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Sept.
2002 |
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Have a newsworthy item? Comments? Questions? Contact Paula Byrne, editor |
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Technical Questions or Comments? Contact Rick Paula, Technical Editor
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Meet your MSLMA Executive Board
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Take a minute to meet the MSLMA eBoard….Read their bios, below. They are actually "autobiographies" that were originally posted to the Executive Board Listserv as a part of an online "Introduction and Orientation" that we had early in September.
The contact information for all eBoard members is on the MSLMA "Leadership" webpage, along with pictures. http://www.mslma.org/whoweare/leadership.html For many members, you will find links to more extensive biographical sketches. Some of them read like a good novel!
A common theme for these stories is the round-about route that we library teachers seem to have taken to get to where we are. Very few of these folks have had "only one" career. As a group, we represent a multiplicity of talents. Is it any wonder that librarians are known for their versatility and adaptive qualities?
Note: Not all Executive Board member autobiographies are included here; in a future issue of MFO, we will have biographical sketches for: Jane Ruddock, Conference Co-Chair; Joan Collins, Conference Co-Chair; Pat Bologna, Constitution and Policy; Connie Schlotterbeck, Curriculum 7-12; Doris Smith, Legislation Co-Chair; Deborah O'Brien, Professional Liason; Audrey Friend, NEEMA Representative; Mary Weaver, Standards Co-Chair; Joe Angelo, Standards Co-Chair; Donna Guerin, Public Relations and Western Co-Director; Hugh Ahearn, Vendor Representative; Bonnie Heile, Southeast Area Director; Rita Hannaford, Northeast Area Co-Director; Janice Dore, Western Area Co-Director; Nancy Jones-Newman, Boston Area Director; Pat Fontes, Central Area Director.
I began my professional career at North Reading High School as an English teacher. I received my MAT from Simmons, after coming from the University of California at Berkeley as a comparative literature major. At North Reading, the 9th grade was moved to the junior high school and I with it. Then more cuts came and I was told I would lose my job unless I wanted to become the junior high librarian. They had only had aides running the library before. So I enrolled at Simmons for the degree program because I thought being a librarian sounded just wonderful. The summer before I started, I took Dr. James Baughman?s course, which at least gave me a foot up. However I certainly was not prepared for the task. I walked into this large room which was empty. They decided to carpet the library and the custodians emptied the shelves and piled all the books out in the hall. I came to know the collection intimately. Although I enjoyed the colleagues at NRJHS, I really wanted to work in a high school. So when a high school library position opened, I applied for a transfer back and was refused because I was only guaranteed a position in the department from which I transferred. I decided to move on.
I was hired at Sharon Junior High School in 1979. I had a wonderful tenure there until proposition 2 1/2. All the librarians were laid off. But I was having my child in June of 1982, so I was not terribly concerned. I figured I could take a year off, collect unemployment, and be with my newborn. However, in Canton, the Galvin Middle School had a September surprise leave, and were left without a librarian. Someone on the school committee said that Sharon just fired all their librarians, maybe we can get one of them. So I spent that year in Canton. The following year, Sharon rehired me to work both the junior and senior high schools. Truly that was an impossible task. But the following year I had my choice to go back to the junior high or take over the senior high. I finally got to be the high school librarian. I spent 20 mostly wonderful years there.
But three years ago, there was an opening at Newton South High School. I always said to myself that I would love to work in the same community that I live in, and finally the time came. I gave up all my seniority and sick days, and was delighted to enter a new and exciting environment. This is the first time I am working with other professional librarians. I am with two exceptional librarians and a media specialist, two aides and a secretary. It?s a fascinating mix of people that work well together and all like each other. It is not perfect by a long shot, but when you work with great people, you can put up with a lot. It was a risky move, but I?m glad I did it.
A great thing about the group I work with at Newton South is that it is perfectly acceptable and indeed encouraged to talk about your kids, pets, family and pretty much everything else. So I can tell everyone about my daughter Liz, a junior at Carnegie Mellon majoring in mechanical engineering. We also talk about problems, issues, and ideas. It?s so much cheaper than therapy! return to top
Ann Perham, President-Elect and Webmaster
I have served on the MSLMA Executive Board for three years as the chairperson of the Educational Technology Committee. 2002-03 marks my fourth year as WebMaster - I am definitely looking for a successor as I transition into the office of President Elect. As WebMaster, I have worked to make mslma.org a tool of publicity and communication for our organization. Outside of my work with the Executive Board, I have represented MSLMA during 2000 as a member of the DOE committee to review and renew the English Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks. At the 2000 MSLMA Conference, I made two presentations.
In my professional life, I am in my third year as the Library Media Specialist at Needham High School. Previously, I have worked at Medfield High School, Stacy Middle School in Milford, and the Elementary Schools of Stoughton. Before entering the realm of school libraries, I taught social studies at Westford Academy for over nine years.
As an undergraduate, I studied history at Hartwick College. I "brushed" with the world of libraries when I served on a special task force to institute the college's first archives; I actually planned to attend Syracuse University and enroll in their museum studies program. Fate took a different turn, however, and I ended up back in Massachusetts, settling in Bedford in 1973 with my new husband, Brad. While teaching full time, I enrolled at Boston State and earned my Masters in Instructional Media, and was certified as a school librarian in 1977.
I didn't get a chance to use the school library credentials, however, until 1995. I spent 13 years "at home" with my five children: Abby (22), twins Chelsey and Lindsay (20), Hannah (15), and Ross (10). Simply put, they are my pride and joy. I don't need much coaxing to talk about them!
Since re-entering the work world, I have taken numerous graduate courses; in fact, it was a course taught by Rita Fontinha that steered my professional career to MSLMA. Rita actually was the one who recruited me to be the MSLMA webmaster in 1999. When Rita called me, asking me to take on the challenge, I said "How can I?" It was my assistant, beside me, who said, "How CAN'T you?" She was right - we can all rise to meet a challenge and we are, in the end, the beneficiaries of professional association.
It's all a balancing act, between my school, an active family and responsibilities with MSLMA, but it's been a labor of love. I can honestly say that I have received far more than I have given through working with MSLMA. return to top
Phyllis Robinson, Secretary
Hello, all. This will be my third year as a member of the Board of Directors. Joan Gallagher had sent a plea out for someone to fill the position of Secretary, and I answered the call. I did so because through our annual conferences and our Media Forum, it was very evident that a devoted group of professionals were working together to advance our profession. I wanted to help. I never regretted it.
I began my teaching career at Abington High School. They needed an English teacher and a French teacher. I was certified in both. I think the departments flipped a coin for me, and English won the toss. When my family came along, Paul and I agreed that I would stay home with the kids. I thoroughly enjoyed all three of my children, and still do. While they were little, I took a course in Reference with Dr. Oakley at Bridgewater State and fell in love with librarianship. I went through the M.Ed. Program at Bridgewater. Because of Adeline Oakley, I became very involved in the Women’s National Book Association, Boston Chapter. My fondest memories are of the cherished Book and Author Luncheons.
When my youngest started fifth grade, I worked part-time in the Reference Department at the Stonehill College Library. In the spring of that year, someone in the Media Dept. in the elementary schools in Braintree quit. Braintree called Bridgewater State, and the College called me to see if I would fill in until the end of the year. I went to Braintree and never left.
The following year I enrolled at Simmons and two years later earned my MLS I was riffed because of Prop. 2 1/2 that same year, but Braintree hired me back to teach English at East Middle School. After one year I was back in the Media Department to stay. I worked at the high school, taught YA Lit. at Bridgewater State, spent one year trying to keep all seven elementary media centers open with the help of volunteer parents, earned my doctorate at Simmons, and am now settled in at East Middle School Media Center. I will once again be teaching YA Lit. at Bridgewater State starting next semester. My husband and I love to sail our 30’ Catalina “Bluejacket”, I dabble in playing the piano, my children are all married and live quite near giving us the chance to be very much a part of the lives of our six
grandchildren, and yes, I love to read! return to top
Thelma Dakubu, Treasurer
I used to teach, mostly physics, at the secondary and post secondary level. I have taught would be doctors about gas laws and would be diplomats about things like anti-ballistic missile systems. I have taught in England, Switzerland and Ghana. The political situation prompted my husband to leave Ghana in 1979. We spent 5 years in London where I mostly stayed home with my two daughters. We came to the States in '84 but I was not allowed to work. By 87 I could work but not teach because I was not a citizen. I was volunteering at an elementary school library in Winchester when Peg Hallisey moved on. I bulldozed my way into the job and stayed there for about 12 years. With enough courses completed at Simmons for certification, I got a job in a K-8 school which was such a disaster I am working on erasing it from my memory. I am now the second librarian at Chelsea High School. I love the job and am trying to learn Spanish but languages are definitely not my forte. We open for an extended day, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and I work the later shift which is why I can not get to board meetings. I hope to meet you at the conference. return to top
Lisa Francine, Intellectual Freedom
I look forward to my first year on the Board, and about my third year as a member of this supportive organization.
I feel grateful that I have "fallen" into this wonderful profession. Most of my life I have worked with children and/or their families: as a preschool teacher, a nanny, a substitute teacher in my children's' cooperative preschool, and now as a school librarian!
My undergraduate degree is in Political Science from UMass/Amherst. I also acquired a Paralegal Certificate from Bentley College, and started on a Master's in Education from Rivier College before the birth of my daughter (1997).
After Jenna's birth I wanted to find a PT job that would allow me to still work with children, but would also allow more adult interaction. A position opened at my home town library: Acton Memorial -- I started in the Circulation and Reader Services departments, and once I began my degree work at Simmons I was rotating through the Children's and Reference departments as well. :) It was great experience working in so many different areas of a mid-size suburban library.
This past summer I completed my course work at Simmons; did my practicum in the Lexington School systems (where I met Shelley Glantz, yay!); and worked in the Graduate School Library: doing Reference/Reserve desk, special projects, and some web work.
I began work at The Fenn School, this past month, as the head librarian. It is wonderful to finally be applying my "new knowledge" with the realities of day to day work in a school library. Being proactive and a life-long learner and encouraging collaboration, will always be a part of my perspective as a teacher-librarian. I hope to impart some of my joy of books, literature, and libraries to others.
Much of my course work at Simmons revolved around issues of Intellectual Freedom & Censorship. I equate some of this passion to A.J. Anderson, my professor for the course, but know that inherently this has been a part of my life as a reader, an educator, a parent, and now a school librarian. I am looking forward to a grand year serving as the IF chairperson, and thank you all for the opportunity. return to top
Joan Gallagher, Legislation Co-Chair
A few year ago while working in Quincy, I facilitated a "Job Alike" for library media specialists from the South Shore; it was sponsored by the South Shore Collaborative. One of the attendees was Joe Angelo, then president of MSLMA. After the meetings, Joe asked me if I would like to become a board member, focusing on 7-12 curriculum. Not quite sure what I was getting myself into, I accepted the invitation. Later I was asked to be president-elect and then president. My two years as president were some of the most strenuous of my twenty-something years in libraries and some of the most rewarding.
As past president, working with our lobbying legislative efforts, I found a 'home' for my interests and the best avenue for me to give back to my profession.
Unfortunately, I am 'on the sidelines' for a while, fighting cancer, but certainly hope to be working with Doris Smith, Chris Gregory and the Legislative Committee very soon. return to top
Kathy Lowe, Listserv Moderator
I joined the MSLMA executive board in 1991 or so (I really can't remember exactly when!) as secretary, a post I held until about 1997. I enjoyed working with all the state's leaders in our field and learning about key issues in our profession. When my stint as secretary was over I volunteered to set up an email distribution list so that the board could start communicating with our members electronically. At the time, less than half of our members even had email addresses! Now I moderate three listservs (soon to be four) for MSLMA and almost all of our 800 members can't imagine life before email!
In my professional life I am the director of the Boston Arts Academy/Fenway High School Library and Boston Symphony Orchestra Education Resource Center. I was hired in 1998 to establish the library in a building newly renovated for the Arts Academy, Boston's first public high school for the visual and performing arts, and Fenway High School, the other school that shares the building right behind Fenway Park. Both schools are pilot schools within the Boston Public Schools and as such serve as models of academic innovation. The library also houses the BSO Resource Center, a resource for teachers of the arts throughout Massachusetts. It is an exciting, energizing and challenging place to work. I have grown more as a professional in the four years I have been there than in all of my previous years as an educator. Before to going to work in Boston, I taught in the Lunenburg Public Schools for 27 years, first as a elementary music specialist and later as a library media specialist. When I heard that BAA, Fenway, and the BSO had formed a partnership and were looking for a school librarian with a background in music education to start up their new library, I knew I had found my dream job!
I received my Bachelor of Music Ed from Lowell State College and my MEd, with a concentration in Instructional Media, from Fitchburg State College. I first became certified as an audio visual media specialist and that's how I got my foot in the door of the school library. Once I was inside a library I knew I had found my niche, so I went on to earn an MLS from Simmons College and took over all three of Lunenburg's school libraries. At the same time, I earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Professional Development from Fitchburg State and found that this program served me well in my role as a teacher of teachers.
My husband Rick and I live in Lunenburg, where I have lived all my life, and we have one son, James, who is in his third year at Hampshire College, studying to become a novelist and/or journalist. I love the school library world and have relished my association with MSLMA all these years, but I am also looking ahead to retirement, hopefully within the next five years, when I can devote more time to gardening, travel, and of course, reading. return to top
Paula Byrne, Media Forum Editor
I taught Spanish for a year and decided that I really wanted to be a librarian. In 1980, I graduated from the State University of New York in Albany with a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science. For the next 10 years, I worked as the Reference Librarian in the New Bedford Free Public Library and then in the Saugus Public Library. I kept active in the profession and was on various committees. I was on the MLA conference committee both as a co-chair and as a member for 10+ years. I left the public library sector over 10 years ago when I got a wonderful job at the Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute (then a 2-yr. College and a 4-yr. high school). I received a lot of support and was able to automate the library, join a consortium, and bring the technology and library collection up to speed.
I received my MLS in 1980 from the State University of New York in Albany. Prior to that, I had earned a B.A. in Spanish in 1977 and taught Spanish one year before graduate school. (Dates me, doesn't it!) I worked as a librarian in 2 public libraries for the next 10 years as head of their reference departments. I went back into teaching as the library teacher for 5 years at the Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute (great school!!) and then onto my current job at Wilmington High School as Library Teacher.
I am certified as a Unified Media Specialist (another name for LMS or library teacher), Instructional Technology Specialist (love that technology!), and as both a Spanish and a music teacher.
In my leisure time, my cairn terrier, Jack, and I garden - he digs the holes for me. Jack also listens to me practice my viola every day and comes to lessons and rehearsals. I also love to sew and to read. return to top
Sandy Kelly, Membership
I started my elementary, classroom teaching career, back in the early days of Prop 2 1/2. As a result of the annual "pink slip," I was rehired each summer, for seven years, to teach a different elementary grade, always getting the last class that no one else really wanted to teach! In my eighth year, our Assistant Superintendent in Woburn called me in to tell me that the next job available was that of elementary school librarian. She just knew I would be perfect for the job! Since Ms. Bane knew me since I was in sixth grade, I never for a minute, doubted her. The district would give me a one year waiver to get certified while I did the job, and, I only had to do FIVE schools. My husband and I had just bought our first house. The only way I could afford to get my certification was to take the required courses being offered at Framingham State. I commuted after work for a full year and was never so grateful to get that certification.
As it turned out Ms. Bane was right, I had found the job I really loved. I continued working until the birth of my daughter Caitlin, now 19 and then my son Michael 16. When Christopher was born 15 months later I knew I had a new temporary career. I remained home for 8 years. While waiting for my daughter's 4th grade parent teacher conference I got into a conversation with another teacher. I happened to mention that I had been a school librarian. She told me that the school was hiring for the fall and I should apply. To be honest I just wasn't looking for a job and I wasn't so sure I wanted to at that time but....the last day applications were being accepted I brought up my resume. The rest as they say is all history. I worked in the Westford Schools for 7 years before I accepted my current position in the K-8, Carlisle School, 4 years ago.
In 1997 I completed a Master's degree in Education. Rubrics, curriculum mapping, constructivism??? The education landscape changed considerably since I had left the classroom. I wanted to be more current on the jargon and curriculum. Right after I finished the degree I heard Gary Hartzell speak about the Invisible Librarian at our annual MSLMA conference. I decided then that perhaps I had made a mistake and the best way to be heard about strong educational practice was to become a principal! I had always felt that I wanted to "make a difference" in my job. I went right back to school and completed the courses and internship in Educational Leadership. The week before I had my first assistant principal interview I received a call from Carlisle. They had been looking for someone in their Media Center and wanted to know if I would consider an interview. I told them I had chosen a new career path but I would come over for a visit since they were kind enough to call. Five days later I withdrew my application for the interview and I accepted the position in Carlisle. I have never regretted it for a minute.
Maybe some day I will be an administrator but right now I love what I am doing and I love "my kids." These are such exciting times to be in our profession. Change is often hard for many, but we library teachers know that the world around us is constantly changing. Information literacy, collaboration and lifelong learning are the keys to success and no one can teach that any better than US! I am looking forward to my new position as Membership chairperson for MSLMA. If there is a way to make a difference, it is to make sure that all of us are connected, informed and current on what we do. As MSLMA members we can do just that return to top
Linda Friel, Northeast Area Co-Director
I graduated as an English major, with a history minor, from Northeastern. I looked diligently for a job, was asked how many words a minute I could type, and finally thought of becoming a librarian. I started working for the BPL, and almost immediately entered Simmons to earn an MS in Library Science. Within two years I became a mother, continued at Simmons (I could only afford one class at a time), and began working at Stevens Memorial Library in North Andover. When I graduated from Simmons in 1975, I was thrilled to be finishing and also thrilled that the graduation speaker was Margaret Mead (one of her last public appearances). Later I completed my graduate education courses at Lowell State, became certified, and moved into school library work at the Shawsheen Elem. (a K-6 bldg.). Twelve years and another baby later, I was hired at Methuen High School. Four years after that, I became a half-time supervisor of media and a half-time high school librarian.
When my older daughter entered college, I entered the doctoral program at UMass Lowell, and five and a half years later received my EdD in Leadership and Schooling. I am still working in Methuen and have helped to open four new K-8 media centers. I enjoy working with students and have a special interest in the research process and how students move through that process. I work with some terrific people and enjoy the students--they're great.
I do have a life outside of the media center. My husband Charlie and I continue to landscape and decorate, even though we moved into our home five years ago (remember, it's an ongoing process). I enjoy spinning, lifting weights, other aerobics, walking on the beach, and visiting with
Sarah, my one-year-old granddaughter (she is truly a joy). We recently childproofed the house--guess we have come full-circle. My younger daughter graduated from college in June and will be marrying in May.
I enjoy working with other MSLMA members and have been on the e-board for a number of years. This year I am looking forward to being co-director with Rita Hannaford. I feel strongly that the very least I can do is to give something back to my chosen profession. return to top
Rita Fontinha, Metrowest Area Co-Director
The journey of a librarian is rarely smooth. Mine has had its bumps and derailments, but finally I am in a place that is good. I worked in my college library for three years as part of my work study program. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in English Education, I taught English for 3 years in Illinois. About halfway through, I started taking courses in reading at Northern Illinois University, but then moved to Massachusetts. By that time, I had decided to get my MLS at Simmons, so I worked for 3 years at Boston Mutual Life Insurance while taking one course at a time (which was all I could afford). Before the last course, I found a job on the Cape (Cape Cod Vocational Technical HS) - but foolishly did not check out the facility before taking the job. Surprise! No door! The library was located in a corridor overlooking the mall and missing lots of new books.
Later, I spent 8 years at Raynham Junior High School - and art, music, and the library were cut in 1990. Four happy years in Milton, and a repeat of the same refrain. After bouncing around a little more, I ended up at Norwood High School and have been here four years. I was hired because of the impending NEASC visit - and replaced a 75-year-old librarian who had been here 25 years (I am only the third
librarian in the history of NHS!). Two years ago, I was able to redesign the library and a stopgap renovation was done. The budget has been increased from $6500 a year to $24,000 a year. I tossed out over 6000 books and have added some truly great resources.
For the past several years, I have taught library science courses at Bridgewater State College. I co-chaired the MSLMA conference and then chaired for 3 years and have also been Norfolk County area director on the board. I have been reviewing for KLIATT and BOOK REPORT for many years. We are starting freshman orientation today (I work through the physical education department - they bring the students, I grade the papers - a win/win situation). There's more to say, but it would take a book! return to top