2009 Networking Summit Facilitator Biographies

Vinetta Bell
vbell@dpi.state.nc.us
Vinetta Bell is a former high school English teacher and now DPI’s 9-12 English Language Arts consultant.

Mary L. Boone
State Librarian
mary.boone@ncdcr.gov
State Library of North Carolina’s Department of Cultural Resources
Mary L. Boone was appointed State Librarian of North Carolina in November 2005.  Prior to coming to the State Library, Mary was a Foreign Service Library and Information Resource Officer with the United States Information Agency and the U.S. Department of State for over twenty years, during which time she rose to the rank of Senior Foreign Service.  Mary’s service included tours in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Washington, D.C.  Mary served as director of the Chapel Hill Public Library from 1978 to 1985 and was a founding member of the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association.  A native of North Carolina, Mary received her BA and MSLS degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  The School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Alumni Association presented her with its Distinguished Alumni Award in December 2003.

Frances B. Bradburn
Former Director, Instructional Technology
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
fbradbur@gmail.com
Frances Bryant Bradburn is a program director for the North Carolina New Schools Project who focuses on the 1:1 learning initiative pilot for the state.  The former Director of Instructional Technology for NCDPI, Frances is a graduate of Wake Forest University and UNC- G’s Department of Library and Information Science. She has worked at the K-12, university, and state levels in a variety of media and technology positions. The former editor of North Carolina Libraries, Ms. Bradburn is author of Output Measures for School Library Programs; reviews young adult titles for Booklist, and has written a variety of journal articles on both media and technology. Her current professional affiliations are with the American Library Association, the North Carolina School Library Media Association, the North Carolina Library Association, and the North Carolina Association of Educational Communications and Technology. Ms. Bradburn was awarded the Mary Peacock Douglas Award in1998, the UNC-G/SLIS Outstanding Alumnus in 1995, the East Carolina University Friend of Education in 2007, the NCLA Distinguished Service Award in 2007, and the NCAECT Service Award in 2008.

Gloria Bradshaw
Senior Conservation Technician
East Carolina University – Joyner Library
bradshawg@ecu.edu
Gloria Bradshaw has worked as the Conservation Lab Manager of the Preservation and Conservation unit in Joyner Library at East Carolina University since 1993. She co-chairs the Joyner Library Disaster Committee. Gloria oversees all conservation treatments in the unit and is responsible for ensuring all Environmental Health and Safety regulations are followed. Her training and research include art courses at ECU such as drawing and design, Solinet workshops in Preservation and Disaster planning, Book and Paper repair, Deacidification treatments, Mold Recovery and Library binding for preservation.  In pursuit of her training and research, Gloria has traveled from North Carolina to Maryland attending workshops at such institutions as ECU, State, Chapel Hill, Etherington Conservation Center and Johns Hopkins.  She received the ECU Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation in 1996.

Beth Briggs
Chair, Stonewall Book Awards
East Carolina University
briggse@ecu.edu
Beth is the current chair of the American Library Association’s Stonewall Book Award, the oldest GLBT book award in America. She is a Teaching Instructor in the Library Science Department where she teaches undergraduate Storytelling and Children’s Literature courses. She is also a past PTA President and is the very proud mother of a 13 year old.

Belinda Cashwell
Director of Media Services
Cumberland County Schools
bcashwell@ccs.k12.nc.us
Past media coordinator, principal, and now director of media services.

Deb Christensen
Media Coordinator
Central Academy of Technology and Arts
deb.christensen@ucps.k12.nc.us
Deb Christensen has been a media coordinator at the elementary and high school levels in North Carolina for eight years.  She has presented at state conferences in NY and NC.  Ms. Christensen received a Masters of Library and Information Science degree at Syracuse University. She is a member of ALA, AASL and YALSA.  Ms. Christensen is a National Board Certified Teacher and facilitates National Board Support Seminars at NCCAT.  She served on the North Carolina Children’s Book Award (NCCBA) committee for five years.  Ms. Christensen redesigned the NCSLMA website and has served as Webmaster since 2004.  This past year she was conference chair of the 8th Annual North Carolina School Library Media Association (NCSLMA) Conference and is now president of NCSLMA.  Ms. Christensen represents NCSLMA at the AASL Affiliate Assembly and will be the recording secretary for the Assembly in 2009.

Patch Clark
Associate Professor
East Carolina University
clarkp@ecu.edu
Patricia (Patch) Clark is an Associate Professor and coordinator for both the Theatre for Youth and Theatre Education Programs at East Carolina University. She is also the Founder and Director of the ECU Storybook Theatre which tours to schools, libraries and festivals each year. She has appeared in many roles in both the ECU Loessin Summer Theatre and ECU/Loessin Playhouse. Some favorite roles include Aunt Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace, Mrs. Tarleton in Misalliance, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, Beatrice in A View From The Bridge, Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town (which starred Pat Hingle), and Grandma in The Grapes of Wrath. Previous favorite professional acting credits include the American Revels Company’s production of Othello (Bianca) and A Christmas Carol (Scrooge’s Niece.) She has served as an educator, director, and consultant to both public and private schools including the Governor’s School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities at the University of Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Longwood College and directed at the International Children’s Festival at the renowned Wolftrap Theatre in Vienna, Virginia. She is the author of Intergenerational Arts in the Nursing Home (Greenwood Press, 1991) and Seniors On Stage (Praeger, 1985.) Patch also serves as the Director of the ECU Summer Drama Camp K-12 held each year on the East Carolina University campus.

Donna Corbo
Media Specialist
Currituck Middle School
dcorbo@currituck.k12.nc.us
Donna Corbo has been a media specialist in Currituck County for 9 years.  Previously she was an elementary school teacher for grades k, 1 and 2.  In the past, she has presented at the NCSLMA annual conference as well as facilitated in the Librarian to Librarian Networking Summit. Considered a lifelong learner, she has earned both her Master’s degrees from East Carolina University, one in Elementary Ed. and the other in Library Science.  Currently Mrs. Corbo is enrolled at Northcentral University working on her CAGS certificate in Teacher Leadership.  Mrs. Corbo lives in Currituck County with her husband, daughter, and 3 dogs!

Ernie J. Cox
Media Specialist
St. Timothy’s School
ecox@sttimothys.org
Ernie J. Cox is the Library Media Specialist at St. Timothy’s School (K-8) in Raleigh, N.C. and a doctoral student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science. He is serving as the Programming Co-Chair for the 2009 AASL National Conference.

Michael Dahl
Author
Author of more than 100 books for children and young adults. He has written The Everything Kid’s Joke Book and Gotcha Covered! His Finnegan Zwake mystery series published by Simon & Schuster won rave reviews and two of its titles were shortlisted for the Edgar and the Anthony Mystery Awards. His nonfiction has twice won the AEP Distinguished Achievement Award. Dahl is the Editorial Director for Stone Arch Books based in Minneapolis. He has spoken at numerous schools, libraries, bookstores, and conferences across the country, including ALA, AASL, NAEYC, TLA, NOLA, and IRA.

Cathy DuPre
Media Coordinator
Charlotte – Mecklenburg Schools
c.dupre@cms.k12.nc.us
Cathy DuPre is in her seventeenth year in education and in her third year at Oaklawn Language Academy.  She has presented several workshops for her district (CMS) as well as workshops for the NCSLMA.  In addition she has presented and worked as a facilitator for NC DPI Second Languages Teachers’ and Administrators’ Institute.  She is a two time Time Warner Crystal Apple National Teacher Award Winner and has been named to “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.”  This year is the first year her elementary school has adopted a totally flexible schedule (from a previously totally fixed schedule).

Debbie Dupree
School Media Specialist
Salem Middle School
ddupree@wcpss.net
Debbie Dupree is a middle school media specialist at Salem Middle School in Apex, NC. She has presented sessions on Graphic Novels at the Librarian-to-Librarian Conference at East Carolina University for the past 3 years. She has worked with middle school students for 11 years and has seen the huge impact that graphic novels have on a variety of readers.

Melissa Fields
Media Coordinator
Perquimans Central School
mfields@pcs.k12.nc.us
Melissa Fields has been Media Coordinator at Perquimans Central School for the past 12 years.  She is a National Board Certified Teacher and received a Masters of Library Science and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Library Science from East Carolina University.  Mrs. Fields helped lead her school to become one of the first IMPACT Model Schools in North Carolina.  She has presented at several local, regional, and state conferences about the IMPACT Model, flexible access, collaboration, and literacy.  She was the NCAECT Media Coordinator of the Year in 2007.

Karen Gavigan
Director, Teaching Resources Center
UNC at Greensboro
karen_gavigan@uncg.edu
Karen Gavigan, a former media specialist, is the Director of the Teaching Resources Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  She is currently conducting research on the effect of graphic novels on the reading motivation of male adolescents.

Joanna Gerakios
Instructional Technology and Media Specialist
Pitt County Schools
gerakij@pitt.k12.nc.us
Joanna Gerakios has a B.S. in Middle Grades Education and an MLS in Library Science from ECU. She has taught 8th grade language arts and social studies, and worked as the school media coordinator at Ayden Middle School in Pitt County. Since first entering the public library as a child, and later as a parent and educator, she has been a library enthusiast. Joanna has an interest in bringing books and technology together to energize education and empower students. She currently works to facilitate instructional technology and media programs as an Instructional Technology and Media Specialist for the Pitt County school system.

Tracie Hampton
Conservation Technician
Joyner Library – East Carolina University
hamptont@ecu.edu
Tracie is a Conservation Technician with Joyner Library’s Preservation and Conservation unit and is responsible for General Collection repair and supervision of student workers.  She has training in book conservation and repair from the Etheringon Conservation Center and the North Carolina Preservation Consortium.  She also brings to Joyner her varied experiences from over a quarter century of working in academic, school and public libraries, and museums.  After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University San Bernardino, she married a career United States Marine and spent the next 20 years moving about the country.  Upon his retirement from the Marines, Tracie and her husband decided to settle in beautiful eastern North Carolina.  An avid sailing enthusiast, she is active in the Ragged Point Yacht Club as the club’s historian.

Yolanda Hollingsworth
Joyner Library – East Carolina University
hollingsworthy@ecu.edu
Yolanda Hollingsworth is a Distance Education Co-coordinator and Reference Librarian at East Carolina University’s Joyner Library. She received her MLS from the University of New York at Buffalo. Yolanda Hollingsworth previously served as an Electronic Resources Coordinator at the University of Albany, State University of New York. Her Second Life avatar is DeeSource Latte.

Gail Holmes
Educator on Loan
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Instructional Technology Division
gail_holmes@dpi.state.nc.us
Gail Holmes is a 30 year veteran educator  with a MS degree in Library Science, MS degree in Business Education, BA degree in Business Education and an endorsement in Instructional Technology.  She is an adjunct professor at UNCG.  Gail is presently employed as an educator-on-loan for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). This position provides her the opportunity to travel to counties across the state teaching and modeling technology integration strategies to grades k-12.

Penny Hornsby
Federal Programs Consultant
State Library of North Carolina – Dept of Cultural Resources
penny.hornsby@ncdcr.gov
Penny is a member of the consultant staff in the Library Development Section of the State Library of North Carolina, an agency of the NC Department of Cultural Resources. As Federal Programs Consultant she is responsible for working with the development and day-to-day implementation of the programs supported with federal Library Services and Technology Act funds administered by the State Library. Penny is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, obtained a Bachelor of Arts from UT Knoxville, and a Masters in Library Science from Kent State University.

Cheryl Lederle-Ensign
Educational Resources Specialist
Library of Congress
cled@loc.gov
A former high school English teacher, Cheryl Lederle-Ensign works as an Educational Resources Specialist for the Library of Congress.  She has developed and delivered presentations at state and national conferences, in person and via videoconference.  She also develops content for the Teachers Page.

L. K. Gypsye Legge
Assistant University Archivist
Joyner Library – East Carolina University
leggel@ecu.edu
L.K. Gypsye Legge has been the Assistant University Archivist of East Carolina University since 2007.  A member of the Academy of Certified Archivists, she holds an MLIS from the University of South Carolina. With extensive training in special formats and access via reformatting, opportunities to increase the number of and abilities of archival researchers are areas of special interest.

Ann M. Martin
ammartin@henrico.k12.va.us
Ann M. Martin is currently the Educational Specialist for Library Information Services for Henrico County Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia. She is President of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a Virginia Educational Media Association past president, an American Association of School Librarians board member, and a recipient of the 2002 AASL National School Library Media Program of the Year Award. Ann is author of Seven Steps to an Award-Winning School Library Program by Libraries Unlimited.

Sheila Mendoza
Media Coordinator
South Central High School
mendozs.schs@pitt.k12.nc.us
Sheila Mendoza earned her B.S. in Library Science and her M.A.Ed. from East Carolina University.  Her experience includes:  two years in public librarianship, seven years as a reference librarian at the community college level and 26 years as a school media coordinator.  Currently, she is the media coordinator at South Central High School in Pitt County.  Sheila was awarded National Board Teacher Certification in 2003 and was named Pitt County Schools Media Coordinator of the Year in 2005 and 2008.

Mary Ellen Oxendine
Media Specialist
Gray’s Creek Middle School
Mary Ellen Oxendine is a Media Specialist with Cumberland County Schools.  She is currently serving the needs of students at Gray’s Creek Middle School, where she has been since August. Prior to coming to Gray’s Creek Middle School, Mary Ellen worked in Henrico County, Virginia, at Fairfield Middle School.  She has taught a range of students from kindergarten to high school. Mary Ellen completed her MLS in 2007 from Texas Woman’s University and her MAT from Mary Baldwin College in 2004. She and her husband Hampton live with their three children in Cumberland County.

Lesley Richardson
Media and Web Librarian
LEARN NC
lrichardson@learnnc.org
Lesley Richardson has been with LEARN NC since 1998. As Media and Web Librarian, she locates and reviews Web sites for the Best of the Web, publishes field trip opportunities for each of North Carolina’s 100 counties in LEARN NC’s Discover NC section, publishes instructional materials, and provides customer service for LEARN NC.
In her spare time, Lesley enjoys gardening, knitting, and making stained glass pieces.

Connie Ruyter
Senior Direct Sales Consultant
Capstone Publishers
c.ruyter@capstonepub.com
Connie Ruyter is the Senior Direct Sales Consultant for Capstone Publishers in Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. Capstone Publishers is a leader in nonfiction with curriculum related titles, along with recreational and fiction titles for struggling readers. Connie’s experience includes 15+ years in customer service related fields. Connie began her career as a Sales Consultant in January 2001 with Capstone Press. Connie is a seasoned professional with a wide array of experiences, having worked with administrators, librarians and teachers throughout the area for the past 8 years. During that time Connie has received the award “National Rep of the Year” in 2004, 2005, 2007. Connie has also served on the “Rep Council” for four years at Capstone Publishers to ensure that her customer’s needs are clearly represented to the company.

Candace Sample
Media Specialist
Jarvisburg Elementary School
csample@currituck.k12.nc.us
Candace Sample is the media specialist at Jarvisburg Elementary School in Currituck County.  She is enthusiastic about learning and all things bookish.  Prior to receiving her MLS certification, Candace taught fifth grade and dance.  She received her Bachelor and Master’s degrees from East Carolina University.   Candace has presented at the NCSLMA annual conference and at the Librarian to Librarian Networking Summit.

Gerry Solomon
School Library Media Consultant
gsolomon@dpi.state.nc.us
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Instructional Technology Section
Gerry Solomon is the School Library Media Consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Instructional Technology Section.  Among the services provided is the recommendation of high quality resources, based on specific criteria, in all formats for the schools throughout the state.

Mindy Tomasevich
Media Coordinator
mtomasevich@wcpss.net
Mindy Tomasevich is middle school media coordinator and a National Board Certified teacher. She began a graphic novel collection with grant funds for a program that integrated graphic novels into literature circle reading groups, and has presented to librarians about the benefits of graphic novels in school libraries.