EDUCATION
University of Iowa--Iowa City, Iowa
Master of Arts, Library Science
Post-graduate work in administration, reading, and library science.
University of Northern Iowa--Cedar Falls, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education and Mathematics
K-8
Maquoketa Valley High School—Delhi, Iowa
General diploma
EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION
College Level Instructor
- University of Wisconsin - Stout. Young Adult Literature in the Reading Program (2005- present)
- University of Wisconsin - Stout. Teaching Children's Literature in the Classroom (2004- present)
- University of Northern Iowa, adjunct instructor. Children's literature. (2003)
- Mount Mercy College, adjunct instructor. Children's literature,
Educational technology, and Young Adult Literature. (1988- 2005 )
- Grant Wood Area Education Agency. Instructor of professional
development courses, and courses carrying graduate credit through
Marycrest College, Verturbo University, Drake College. (1976- 2005)
Educator -- classroom teacher and Library Media Specialist (1963-1998)
- Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Community Schools. Experience included
classroom teaching in self-contained elementary classrooms, block
schedules, and as a library media specialists in elementary and
secondary schools.
- Major role in District's/Area Education Agency's staff development
program
- Developed two year thematic correlation charts for district's reading series, to be used in multiaged classrooms
- Leadership role in establishing methodology, on building level, for
reading instruction -- significant gains shown
- Software technical support
- Regularly collaborated with planning teams to develop long and short
term goals/objectives for instructional units
Literacy Activities
- Documentation Project -- Zerzanek Collection of Children's Book
Art, Cedar Rapids Public Library, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Documentation
includes photographing over 900 pieces of original art, researching
artists/writers involved with individual items, and preparing each
photograph for publication on website, catalog, and so forth.
(2002-2006)
- Project Director for "Building a Community of Readers" A
Grant Wood Area Education Agency initiative (Linn and Johnson Counties,
Iowa) that attracted over 10,000 participants. 2001; 2002.
-
Previous Promotions/activities
- Plan/promote special literacy events within the community in cooperation with
building-level activities
- Evening of the Stars (authors/illustrators) attracted 80 participants
at the Cedar Rapids Public Library
- Reading Conference involving 420 students and 24 teachers from 13 area
schools
- Chair of charter planning committee for annual book/author conference
attracting 300-450 participants each year (conference now in its twentieth
year of existence); General advisor emeritus.
- Author residency involving area education agency and 5-10 area schools
Technology Support/Involvement
- Experienced Macintosh user; some familiarity with IBM compatible computers
- Provided software technical support; limited hardware support (1992-1998)
- Teach technology courses to undergraduates and professional peers
- Word Processing: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works
- Utilizing the Internet for information: search engines, evaluating
sources, and so forth
- Graphics
- email
- World Wide Web: HTML Coding, Netscape
PUBLISHING/EDITING EXPERIENCE
Writer/Editor
- Best Teen Reads: 2010 (Hi Willow Research and Publishing, 2010)
- Picture That! From Mendel to Normandy: Picture Books and Ideas, Curriculum and Connections—for T'weens and Teens (Teacher Ideas Press/Libraries Unlimited, 2009)
- Series Editor: The Author and You (A series published
by Libraries Unlimited) Jacqueline Briggs Martin (2005); Jim
Aylesworth (2005), Mary Casanova (2006), Jane Kurtz (2007), Deborah
Hopkinson (2007), and others.
- Authors in the Pantry: Recipes, Stories, and More. (Libraries Unlimited, 2007)
- Best Teen Reads for 2007 (Hi Willow Research and Publishing, 2007)
- Young Adult Literature and Multimedia: A Quick Guide.
Co-authored with Mary Ann Harlan and David Loertscher. (Hi Willow
Research & Publishing, 2006, 2008, 2009, Revised editions )
- Young Adult Literature and Multimedia: A Quick Guide. Co-authored with Mary Ann Harlan and David Loertscher. (Hi Willow Research & Publishing, 2005)
- Authors in the Kitchen: Recipes, Stories, and More. (Libraries Unlimited, 2005)
- Best Teen Reads: 2005 (Hi Willow Research and Publishing, 2005)
- Children's Authors and Illustrators Too Good to Miss (Libraries Unlimited, 2004)
- More than twenty published reference/resource titles for educators -- most recent include: Character Education: A Book Guide for Teachers, Librarians, and Parents, 100 Most Popular Children's Book Authors, 100 Most Popular Picture Book Authors/Illustrators; Internet
for Schools (with Carol Mann Simpson); and Research Strategies for Moving
Beyond Reporting. Publishers include: Linworth Publishers, Libraries
Unlimited/Teacher Ideas Press, and Hi Willow Research and Publishing.
Published Book List - Columnist for Library Sparks, "In the Spotlight" published by Highsmith (2006-current)
- Columnist for School Library Media Activities Monthly (SLMAM) "The Book Bag" (2005-2007); "Author Central" (2007-2008)
- Regular contributor to professional journals including, Library Talk, Book Report, Technology Connection (1995-2002), Library Media Connection and other professional journals. (1988-current)
- Developed model for Internet for Schools Workshop
used nationally by Education Enrichment, Inc. (Norman, OK) to teach
educators about the Internet and the World Wide Web (1998)
- Reviewer children's books, Kirkus Reviews (2002 - current)
- Associate Reviews Editor Library Talk (1999-2002)
- Editor "Cool Stuff on the Web" column for Library Talkand Book Report (Linworth Publishing),
national periodicals with a readership of 30,000+ (1995-2001)
- Book (and technology) reviewer for School Library Journal (1976-1999)
- Contributor and co-editor Iowa Reading Journal(1985-1997)
- Contributing editor See Magazine, an arts magazine once published
in the Midwest (1980-82)
- Editor and publisher of resource books on authors for the Iowa Reading
Association and an independent publisher. (1987-95)
Free-Lance Photographer
- Photographs have appeared in a dozen published books released by
Libraries Unlimited, Teacher Ideas Press, Linworth Publishing; many
periodical articles; and in a volume in the Houghton Mifflin Reading
Series (on-line version).
Nationally recognized author and speaker in the area of literature
based instruction and technology (Selected Presentations)
- Keynote/featured speaker at national/regional reading/curriculum conferences (selected)
- Alabama (Birmingham) Kindergarten conference SDE (2009)
- Maryland (Towson) Kindergarten Conference SDE (2009)
- Luncheon Speaker: Iowa Reading Association - Des Moines (2009)
- Indiana (Indianapolis) 1st grade conference SDE (2009)
- Pennsylvania School Library Association (2009)
- International Reading Association in Minneapolis (2009)
- Kindergarten Conference, SDE, New Orleans, LA (2008)
- American Library Association Conference (AASL sponsored forum
- Research - Fueling the Authors' Fire), Anaheim, California,
(June 2008)
- Missouri Association of School Librarians -- workshop (Author
Visits: What are we teaching?; and luncheon keynote (April 2008)
- American Association of School Librarians (National Conference - Reno Nevada) October 2007
- Encyclo-media Conference sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Education - Oklahoma City, OK (August, 2007)
- Kindergarten Conference, SDE, Wichita, Kansas (2007)
- First Grade Conference, SDE, Wichita, Kansas (2007)
- Second Grade Conference, SDE, Schaumburg, IL (2007)
- Virginia Educational Media Association, Hampton, VA. (2006)
- Pennsylvania School Librarians Assocation - Hershey, PA (2006)
- First Grade Conference for Indiana Teachers (Staff Development for Educators™) Indianapolis, IN. (April 25, 2006)
- Iowa Reading Association --Keynote: Read-Succeed: A Quest Worth Taking - Des Moines, IA (April 6, 2006)
- "Take Care of Yourself Retreat" Cedar Rapids, IA Building a Family of Readers: 10 ways to accomplish the single most important goal
you can have to develop healthy, happy, successful citizens. (April 1, 2006)
- Lee County Reading Association, Keokuk, IA
"Building a Community of Readers" (March 16, 2006
- NCTE -- 2005 Annual Convention, November 17-22, 2005, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Panel: The Importance of Research in the Creation of Fiction and Nonfiction: An Author's View (with Carol Gorman, Patrick O'Brien, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, and Diane Stanley)
- American Association of School Librarians - Whetting the
Reader's Appetite (concurrent session) - Pittsburgh, PA (October
2005)
- Encyclo-media Conference sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Education - Tulsa, OK (2005)
- American Association of School Librarians - The ABCs of a
Literate Classroom Environment (day long workshop) - Pittsburgh,
PA (October 2005)
- What's New in Books for Young Adults - 2005 (for Institute of Educational Development - IED) Buffalo, NY (May 2005)
- What's New in Books for Young Adults - 2005 (IED) Baltimore, MD (May 2005)
- What's New in Books for Young Adults - 2005 (IED) Reno, NV (May 2005)
- What's New in Books for Young Adults - 2005 (IED) Portland, OR (May 2005)
- Pennsylvania School Librarians Assocation - Hershey, PA (2005)
- Wisconsin Educational Media Association - Green Bay, WI (2005)
- What's New in Books for Young Adults - 2005 (for Institute of Educational Development - IED) Orlando, FL (Dec. 2004)
- What's New in Books for Young Adults - 2005 (IED) Jackson, MI (Dec. 2004)
- What's New in Books for Young Adults - 2005 (IED) Pittsburgh, PA (Nov. 2004)
- What's New in Books for Young Adults - 2005 (IED) State College, PA (Nov. 2004)
- Pennsylvania School Librarians Assocation - Hershey, PA (2004)
- Wisconsin Educational Media Association - Madison, WI (2004)
- American Association of School Librarians Conference - Kansas City, KS (2003)
- Virginia School Library Media Association Conference - Richmond, Virginia (2003)
- Tennessee State Media Association Conference - Buchanan, TN
- International Reading Association - Atlanta, GA
- International Reading Association - Indianapolis, IN
- Iowa Educational Media Association - Council Bluffs, IA
- American Association of School Librarians Conference - Indianapolis, IN
- Kansas State Reading Association Conference - Hays, KS
- Core Knowledge Curriculum Conference - Williamsburg, VA
- Encyclo-media Conference sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Education - Oklahoma City, OK
- Multi-Cultural Reading and Thinking Project, Arkansas Department of Education - Little Rock, AK
- International Reading Association Conference -- Toronto, Canada; Indianapolis, IN
- Colorado State Reading Conference - Denver, Colorado
- and other sites throughout the Midwest and the United States.
WEB KEEPER
MISCELLANEOUS
- Review CD ROMS, videos and other media for Technology Connection, a section of Library Talk and Book Report;
School Library Journal; and Science Books & Films;
- Hosted a network interactive research activity as "Bookwoman"
for Scholastic Network. Activity involved over 200 classrooms nationwide,
generating research clues, e-mailing, and mentoring student researchers.
- KidsConnect; Volunteer (1997-99) -- an online service sponsored by
the American Association of School Libraries, a service designed to
respond to young learners questions for research help.
- Virtual Desk Reference; Volunteer (1999-2002) -- an online
reference service hosted by the University of Syracruse, a service
designed to respond to questions for research help
- The ReadIn Volunteer (1999-2002)-- an online program to promote literacy and reading.
MARKETING AND MEDIA EXPERIENCE
- Research/interviewer, Frank N. Magid Associates
- Book Review and commentaries were aired on KCCK-fm, a national public
radio affiliate (five years)
- Wrote and obtained grants for development of web page, sponsorship
of reading conference, sponsorship of author residency and author days
EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE THE EDUCATION/PUBLISHING SECTOR
- Owner Green Frog Gifts - http://www.greenfrog-gifts.com -- an IOWA company (est. 2004)
- Drove US Mail Star Route
- Restaurant manager -- VIP Lounge Marion, Iowa (1980s)
- Small business owner/bookkeeper S&M manufacturing; McElmeel Construction (1970s)
- Candidate for State House of Representatives (1998); School board (2005)
- Campaign manager for state house campaign; local city council election
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- National Education Association (life member), Iowa State Education Association, Cedar
Rapids Area Education Association
- International Reading Association, Iowa Reading Association, Cedar
Rapids Area Reading Association (President local council, 1986-87;
Secretary State council, 1987-88; President local council, 2001-2002)
- Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
- American Library Association
- AASL Publications Committee (2008-2010)
- AASL Research Grant Award Subcommittee (2008)
- ALSC - Member Caldecott Award Selection Committee (2007)
- AASL - Program Committee for Pittsburgh Conference (2005)
- Member School Age Programs and Service Committee (2003)
- AASL - Member Publications Committee (1994-2001)
- ALSC - Member School Librarian's Workshop Scholarship Award Subcommittee (1999-2000)
HONORS AND AWARDS
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Co-Chair Theme Basket Committee for Mercy Medical Center Auxilary's Spring (2008) Style Show
- Active promoter of reading activities in the community
- Member of the Linn County Plumbers Board of Appeals (1994-present; current appointment to December, 2012)
Vice-Chair (2000- present); representative to Metro Area board (1999-present)
- Member of the Metro Area Plumbers Board of Examiners and Appeals (1998-present)
Chair, 2000, 2002.
- Member literary club (Foldpak)
- Member Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
REFERENCES
Updated: February 1, 2010
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