2019 Networking Summit Facilitator Biographies

Sedley Abercrombie

Digital Learning and School Library Media Specialist
Davidson County Schools
sedleyabercrombie@davidson.k12.nc.us

Sedley Abercrombie is the district digital learning and school library specialist for Davidson County Schools. She serves as an instructional and program coach for 36 schools and 32 school libraries. She is an NCSLMA executive board member, an adjunct instructor at ECU, and a contributing blogger to Knowledge Quest.

Lisa Baker

Media Coordinator
Chocowinity Middle School
lbaker@beaufort.k12.nc.us

Lisa Baker is a librarian to over 400 fifth through eighth graders, and 30 staff members at Chocowinity Middle School in Chocowinity, NC. She has been a librarian for 21 years, sixteen of which have been at CMS. Go Indians! She is an avid reader, loves thrift stores, and prefers the Marvel Universe over DC. Nothing makes her happier than hearing her students discuss books with each other while finding new books to read in her school’s library.

Courtney Beckman (Co-Facilitator with Sara Levin)

2nd Grade Teacher
Durham Public Schools
Courtney.Sprouse@dpsnc.net

Courtney Beckman is a classroom teacher working in Durham, NC, and has experience working in K-3 classrooms. She is a current student in the Master of Library Science program at ECU, and is pursuing the school media coordinator pathway. She has a passion for literacy and technology instruction in the classroom and in the media center. She currently lives in Durham, NC, with her fellow Pirate husband and their two small dogs. When she’s not teaching her 2nd grade students, she enjoys reading, baking, crafting and tinkering with new technology.

Kristel Behrend

Teacher-Librarian
Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design
kbehrend@wcpss.net

As an educator for 20 years, Kristel has experience with the wee ones to adult learners. She started her career as an elementary music teacher and an opera singer. Life and learning led her to two other passions, literacy and technology, the perfect mix for a teacher- librarian. After earning her Master of Music Education from ECU, she went back to ECU for her Master of Library Media Studies; this past fall, she earned her National Board certification. She currently works as a high school librarian at Knightdale High School, an urban setting in Wake County Public Schools. There she strives to make the Learning Commons the hub of the school by providing the students and staff with access to high quality literature and research materials, as well as technology, collaborative learning spaces, a makerspace, and a music studio.

Colleen Bergin (Co-Facilitator with Delandrus Seales)

Digital Teaching and Learning Specialist
New Hanover County Schools
colleen.bergin@nhcs.net

Colleen Bergin is a former secondary ELA teacher now serving as a Digital Teaching and Learning Specialist with New Hanover County Schools.

Margaret Sullivan Brannon

Teacher-Librarian
Jesse Wharton Elementary School
sullivm@gcsnc.com

Margaret Sullivan Brannon has 25 years of experience in NC libraries. Although the field has changed greatly, she loves learning new things and continues to find it as exciting and rewarding as ever. She received her BA in English Literature from UNC-Chapel Hill, and her Master of Library and Information Studies from UNC-Greensboro. She has served Jesse Wharton Elementary School in Guilford County for 13 years.

Enrique Cachafeiro (Co-Facilitator with Natalie Strange)

Education and Training Coordinator
Duke Health
enrique.cachafeiro@duke.edu

Mr. Cachafeiro has spent the last decade finding ways to evolve the state of the classroom in order to take advantage of new instructional technologies and strategies. He specializes in the introduction of technology into the classroom, the use of innovative strategies, such as blended learning and gamified learning, and helping teachers and administration adopt these into their districts and classrooms. Mr. Cachafeiro continues to push the envelope by exploring emerging technologies, such as immersive worlds, Virtual Reality and Virtual Worlds, as well as video games and their application to both training and compliance for children and adults. He continues to be an advocate for change in education.

Ashley Clark (Co-Facilitator with Lindsey Santiago)

Media Specialist
Dillard Drive Elementary
aclark@wcpss.net

Ashley Clark is pursuing her Master of Library and Information Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was a classroom teacher for nine years before transitioning to the library. She currently works at Dillard Drive Elementary in the Wake County Public School System; it is her second year in the library. She has worked to create a beautiful partnership with students with autism and their teachers in the library. She has a passion for students with disabilities, #ownvoice literature, and inclusivity.

Patch Clark and Storybook Theatre

Professor, Coordinator of Theatre Education Program and Theatre for Youth
ECU School of Theatre and Dance
clarkp@ecu.edu

Professor Patricia “Patch” Clark is the coordinator for the Theatre for Youth and Theatre Education Programs at East Carolina University. She is the founder and Director of the ECU Storybook Theatre, which tours at many schools, libraries and festivals, and appears as part of ECU’s Arts Smart and Family Fare Series. She recently directed “Peter and the Starcatcher” for the ECU Loessin Playhouse. She has directed many children’s theatre productions, including Willy Wonka, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, James and the Giant Peach, Seussical the Musical, The Stinky Cheese Man, Charlotte’s Web, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Jungle Book, and The Secret Garden. She has written and directed original works including Tales from Around the World, My Hero Reaching for the Stars, The Runaway Bear, All Aboard America! and All Aboard South America! Other titles she has directed include Treasure Island, The Little Prince, A Christmas Carol, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Hobbit, and School House Rock Live! ECU Storybook Theatre also partners with countries around the world, including Japan, Russia, China, Peru, and Mexico. ECU Storybook Theatre and the University of Shimane in Japan were the recipients of an international award for collaboration presented by the Global Partners in Education in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2016. She has worked as both a teacher and a consultant for public and private schools, and the Virginia Governor’s School for the Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Richmond. During the summer of 2012, she traveled to the Kurdistan region of Iraq with the YES Academy to work with children and theatre. She has also acted in many productions, including such roles as Bianca in Othello, and Scrooge’s niece in A Christmas Carol, respectively, for the American Revels Company. She has also appeared in numerous ECU/Loessin Playhouse and ECU/Loessin Summer Theatre Productions including My Fair Lady, Inherit the Wind, A Doll’s House, Misalliance, Our Town, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, A View from the Bridge, Crazy for You, Grease, Footloose, Yerma, Grapes of Wrath, and The Crucible. She also directed the Off-Broadway premiere production of Katmandu at the John Houseman Studio Theatre. She is the author of Intergenerational Arts in the Nursing Home (Greenwood Press) and co-author of Seniors on Stage (Praeger Press.) She received the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2017, the 2013-2014 Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award presented by the UNC Board of Governors, The Scholar Teacher Award for 2012-2013, and the ECU Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Teaching for 2011-2012.

Dr. Monica Colón-Aguirre (Co-facilitator with Dr. Fadekemi Oyewusi)

Assistant Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Professions
East Carolina University
colonaguirrem17@ecu.edu

Dr. Monica Colón-Aguirre is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Professions (Library Science Program) at East Carolina University. Her research interests include academic library administration and issues such as human resource management, information literacy and technology.

Leah Cordova

Research and Learning Services Librarian
University of Tennessee-Health Sciences Center
lcordova@uthsc.edu

Leah Cordova is a research and learning services librarian at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Health Science Library. Her research interests include the incorporation of information literacy into library instruction, community health literacy, and the impact information access has on one’s overall health.

Dr. Melissa Cox

Assistant Professor
East Carolina University
Coxmel17@ecu.edu

Dr. Melissa Cox is an assistant professor of Health Education and Promotion at East Carolina University. Her research examines the social context of youth alcohol use. Her research explores how the social and physical environment exerts risk and protective influences on youth alcohol use. The goal of this research is to inform public health programs, which will ultimately reduce the burdens and consequences of youth drinking.

Nancy Cravey

School Librarian
Erwin Montessori Elementary
craveyn@gcsnc.com

Nancy Cravey is the school librarian at Erwin Montessori Elementary, which is currently sharing space with Alamance Elementary.

Dr. Kaye Dotson (Co-facilitator with Dr. Barbara Marson)

Dr. Kaye Dotson is an Associate Professor in the library science program at ECU and the Program Coordinator. She co-led a study abroad in 2017 to Lisbon, Portugal and accompanied the Paris group in 2018.

Joanna Gerakios

Lead Media Specialist
C.M. Eppes Middle School
gerakij@pitt.k12.nc.us

Joanna Gerakios has taught eighth grade language arts and social studies and worked as a school library media coordinator. She has been the lead Media Specialist for Pitt County Schools for 11 years and is also an adjunct instructor for ECU. She has an interest in bringing books and technology together to energize education and empower students. She is a previous President of the North Carolina School Library Media Association. In her personal time, Joanna likes to travel, snap photos, experiment in the kitchen, and get lost in long historical novels.

Dr. John B. Harer

Associate Professor
East Carolina University
harerj@ecu.edu

Dr. Harer is a professor of library science in East Carolina University’s Master of Library Science Degree program. He has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in storytelling. He was the creator and co-producer of the Multicultural Storytelling Project at Texas A&M University.

Jeanne Hoover

Scholarly Communication Librarian
East Carolina University
hooverj@ecu.edu

Jeanne Hoover is the Scholarly Communication Librarian at East Carolina University’s Joyner Library. She is interested in Open Educational Resources (OERs), especially developing and adapting resources that are customized to the classroom. She currently works with faculty participating in Joyner Library’s Alternative Textbook Program.

Jennie Hunt (Co-Facilitator with Nancy Cravey)

School Librarian
Peeler Elementary School
huntv@gcsnc.com

Jennie Hunt is the school librarian serving both Peeler Elementary School and Bluford Elementary.

Sara A. Kennedy

School Librarian
Southeastern Academy Charter School
skennedy@southeasternacademy.org

Sara Kennedy is the school librarian at Southeastern Academy Charter School in Lumberton, NC. Although a former third grade teacher, she has worked as a librarian for the last 5 years, receiving her Master of Library Science from ECU in 2017. Her love for the dramatic arts began as a child, which led her to establish a schoolwide drama program at Southeastern Academy. She strives to infuse her library curriculum with engaging activities and lessons that merge literacy, library, and theatre.

SuAnn Klawitter (Co-Facilitator with Nancy Cravey)

School Librarian
Hampton Elementary
klawits@gcsnc.com

SuAnn Klawitter is the school librarian at Hampton Elementary, now sharing space with Reedy Fork Elementary in Guilford County.

Jennifer Koch (Co-Facilitator with Kristel Behrend)

Teacher-Librarian
Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design
jkoch@wcpss.net

Jennifer Koch holds a Master of Library Science degree from ECU and is currently a librarian at Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design in Knightdale, NC. She fell in love with her first book before she could read, and her dad’s willingness to read it over and over led to her lifelong passion for books. She took a winding path to librarianship, beginning with a BA in English and a career as a graphic designer before becoming a teacher. She taught middle school language arts and literature for nine years in Georgia before moving to North Carolina and becoming an editor. Eventually, she realized the library was where she was meant to be, and finally pursued her Master of Library Science at ECU. When she is not reading, spending time with family, or introducing a new generation to books, research, and technology, she can be found quilting, writing, or gaming.

Sara Levin

Media Coordinator
Falkland Elementary School
levins@pitt.k12.nc.us

Sara Levin has been a librarian for 16 years, fourteen of which she has been a media coordinator. She is a 2002 graduate of the ECU Master of Library Science program, and has presented sessions at NCSLMA, NCTIES, the Librarian-to-Librarian Networking Summit, and Pitt County Schools’ Tech Fest. She currently works at Falkland Elementary School and serves as the Region I Elementary Battle of the Books chairperson. Her Grant Tool Kit is linked on NCDPI’s Digital Teaching and Learning website.

Laura Mangum

Media Coordinator
North Pitt High School
manguml@pitt.k12.nc.us

Laura Mangum received her Master of Library Science from ECU in 2000. She has been a media coordinator for 20 years. Her first five years were spent in a K-8 media center, and the last 15 years she has been at North Pitt High School. Laura is a dynamic media coordinator who has transformed media centers into thriving learning spaces where students work with the most up to date technology.

Dr. Barbara Marson (Co-facilitator with Dr. Kaye Dotson)

Dr. Marson is Teaching Assistant Professor of library science East Carolina University. She initiated an internship partnership with the American Library in Paris and ECU. In 2018, she led a study abroad course in Paris with visits to six libraries, both French and American. In 2019, she will lead a second library study abroad in Florence, Italy. She is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions (IFLA); the International Relations Roundtable of ALA; and the International Association of School Librarians.

Karen S. Meier (Co-Facilitator with Margaret Sullivan Brannon)

Media Specialist
Southwest Guilford High School
meierk@gcsnc.com

Karen S. Meier is the media specialist at Southwest Guilford High School in High Point, NC. Her commitment to providing students with access to quality materials has led her to undertake the genrefication of her library. She says it has been well worth the effort and will share her experience.

Julia C. Mielish

Regional Customer Trainer
Oxford University Press
Julia.mielish@oup.com

Julia Mielish is a customer trainer with Oxford University Press. She holds her Master of Library and Informational Studies from San Jose State University and has over 16 years of experience as a librarian at several different institutions. She was most recently at Wake Technical Community College, where she was the Reference and Instruction Librarian and later the Dean of Library Services. Julia’s experience includes instruction, collection development, and managing online access to digital resources in a variety of ways. These include managing LibGuides, chat reference, and creating training materials for faculty, staff, and students.

Dr. Fadekemi Oyewusi (Co-facilitator with Dr. Monica Colón-Aguirre)

Visiting Research Scholar, Associate Professor
ECU, University of Ibadan-Nigeria
Oyewusif18@ecu.edu

Fadekemi Oyewusi, Ph.D., is a visiting research scholar in the Library Science program at East Carolina University. She is also an associate professor and an educational faculty member at the Centre for Educational Media Resource Studies at the University of Ibadan-Nigeria.

Kathy Parker

School Library Media Consultant
NC Department of Public Instruction
Kathy.parker@dpi.nc.gov

Kathy Parker is a Raleigh native who answered the calling to be a lifelong educator. She graduated with English and History degrees from North Carolina State University; she furthered her education by earning an ESL certification and a Master of Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She began her career in education as a high school English teacher before transitioning into the school library. In 2008, she earned her National Board Certification in Library Media. Joining the NC Department of Public Instruction in 2012, she is currently the state’s School Library Media Consultant in the Division of Digital Teaching and Learning. Kathy is available via email or phone: kathy.parker@dpi.nc.gov, 919-807-3221. You may also follow her on Twitter @kparkerslmc.

Stephanie Rous

Librarian/Media Coordinator
Corinth Holders High School
stephanierous@johnston.k12.nc.us

Stephanie Rous is in her 24th year in education and thirteenth in the library. She is the librarian at Corinth Holders High School. Ms. Rous received her Master of Library Science from ECU in 2006. In 2016, she was awarded the AASL Ruth Toor Grant, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Ms. Rous has presented several times at the NCSLMA and L2L conferences, serves on the NCSLMA High School Battle of the Books committee, and represented North Carolina at the Discovery Education Network Summer Institute in 2018.

Pamela Sands

Media Coordinator
New Century International Middle School
PamelaSands@ccs.k12.nc.us

Pamela Sands is currently the Media Coordinator at New Century International Middle School. She has been with Cumberland County Schools for 21 years, teaching at all levels. She began her career teaching English at the high school level, during which time she earned a Master’s in elementary education. She then moved to the elementary level in 2005, where she taught fifth grade for three years before earning her Master of Library Science. She has spent the last 11 years as a school media coordinator, working at both the elementary and middle school levels. In 2014-15, Pamela was named the Cumberland County School’s Media Coordinator of the Year, and the NC School Library Media Association Media Coordinator of the Year.

Lindsay Santiago

Media Specialist
Alston Ridge Elementary School
llsantiago@wcpss.net

Lindsay Santiago is a National Board Certified Media Specialist for Alston Ridge Elementary in Wake County. This is her 12th year in the Media Center. She is a 2010 graduate of the ECU Master of Library Science Program and has presented sessions at NCSLMA and Wake County School’s Convergence. Over the years, she has taught a variety of special needs students in the library. Her experiences have taught her the most effective ways to meet the needs of those students.

Delandrus Seales

Media Coordinator
Dr. John Codington Elementary School
Delandrus.seales@gmail.com

Ms. Seales is a media coordinator/specialist at Dr. John Codington Elementary School. She teaches K-5 students library, technology, information, inquiry, and digital citizenship skills through the integration with ELA, Science, Social Studies, and Arts standards. Ms. Seales also provides training to K-5 staff on technology, software, research models, PBL/Inquiry-based Learning, and digital tools. Ms. Seales was a 2017-18 NCSLMA Emerging Leader, and she is a 2018-19 NCDLCN East member.

Heather Seibert (Co-Facilitator with Jeanne Hoover)

Teacher
National Heritage Academies
seechangedo@gmail.com

Heather Seibert currently works for National Heritage Academies. Heather discovered her passion for Open Educational Resources (OER) and Creative Commons Licensing during her prior employment in Research and Scholarly Communication at ECU. She has continued her work with OER while applying it to secondary school pedagogy and curriculum management.

Aritia Smalls (Co-Facilitator with Pamela Sands)

AIG Program Specialist
Cumberland County Schools
aritiasmalls@ccs.k12.nc.us

Aritia Smalls is currently the Elementary AIG Specialist for Cumberland County Schools. This is her 12th year in education. She began as a middle school ELA/Social Studies teacher and then transitioned into the AIG program. She holds two master’s degrees: one in Reading Education and the other in School Administration.

Natalie Strange

School Library Media Coordinator
Northwest Guilford High School
strangn@gcsnc.com

Natalie Strange is in her 21st year as an educator and 18th year as a school library media coordinator. She is proud to be a former NC Teaching Fellow (UNC-Asheville), National Board Certified in Library Media, and the North Carolina School Library Media Coordinator of the Year in 2012. She works with teachers, community members, and students to create an immersive, imaginative environment that encourages learning. Over the past two years, Natalie has been conducting action research on the effectiveness of escape room and break-out box design in teaching curricular goals. Her current library can be found online at https://www.myhaikuclass.com/strangemedia/nwhslibrary/cms_page/view/31431391.

Sabrina Steigelman

Media Coordinator
Cumberland County Schools
sabrinasteig@gmail.com

Sabrina Steigelman is an elementary school media coordinator and an ECU Master of Library Science alumnus. She has recently received her Master of School Administration from UNC-Wilmington and looks forward to continuing her leadership journey while promoting digital learning and integration.

Jessica Tidmore (Co-Facilitator with Natalie Strange)

Jessica Tidmore is in her fourth year teaching Biology at a high school in Guilford County, North Carolina. She loves learning with her students and introducing them to the beauty and interdependence of life. Jessica often augments her classroom teaching with innovative programs to increase student engagement.

Angela West (Co-Facilitator with Stephanie Rous)

Librarian/Media Coordinator
Riverwood Elementary School
angelawest@johnston.k12.nc.us

Angela West, Media Coordinator Extraordinaire at Riverwood Elementary School, received her MLS from ECU in 2015. She is the 2018 Johnston County Media Coordinator of the Year. Ms. West has been gamifying her media center for several years in a variety of ways and is always finding innovative ways to reach her students. She has presented at NCSLMA and L2L several times, and her elementary Battle of the Books team has recently won county and regional titles.