AASL President Susan Ballard with 2011 Georgia Media Specialist of the Year Susan Grigsby
Georgia 2011 Library Media Specialist of the Year
Welcome!
I am currently teaching at Stamford American International School in Singapore and I am the Director of Library Services and Secondary Teacher-Librarian. I believe that to be a successful school librarian, one has to embrace innovation and change, take risks with new ways of doing, and adopt a flexible, can-d0 attitude in order to inspire learners of all ages. A school library should be a place where ideas are exchanged and information is discussed, explored, and created. It should be comfortable and inviting. It should be warm and friendly. I believe students should be empowered to direct their learning in ways that satisfy their information needs and that it is the job of the school librarian to guide, nurture, and consistently look for innovative ways to address multiple learners. I believe teaching should be approached with passion and that learning through play is a valuable pedagogical process. I believe students should have a voice and some measure of autonomy in how they choose to master content. I believe in the power of libraries to honor and value all patrons by providing equitable access to ideas. Books can be both windows and mirrors and a quality collection will have something for every student. I have no idea what libraries will actually look like in 20 years but I am "FutureReady" and know I want to be involved in the evolution. Take a look at how I embody/model a growth mindset through the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile HERE. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions! Thanks for visiting and I look forward to hearing from you!
Objective: Leadership in information literacy, inquiry, collection diversity, and effective technology integration instruction so that all students, teachers, and staff can access, evaluate, and utilize information for a lifetime of successful learning and problem-solving.
Education: 2016 Educational Specialist, Educational Leadership, University of West Georgia (4.0 GPA) 1997 Master of Library Media Technology, Georgia State University (4.0 GPA) 1992 Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude) Commercial Music Recording/Production, Georgia State University 1986 Honors Graduate, Recording and Production, Music Business Institute
Work History: 2022 - Present Director of Library Services, Stamford American International School, Singapore
Library program based on Common Core Standards
Supervise the library team across 3 school libraries
Support IB in the secondary school
Extended Essay support and Personal Project supervisor
2020 - 2022 Head Librarian, Nishimachi International School, Tokyo, Japan
Library program based on Common Core Standards
Revised and updated Collection Development Policy and Reconsideration Policy
Member of RoundSquare Committee
Managed Sakura Book Award Book Bowl program and team competition
2018 - 2020 Junior School Librarian, Wellington College International School of Bangkok
Complete set-up of new library including cataloging, processing, and organizing over 6,000 print titles
Coordination with classroom teachers to support curriculum and build a reading culture among our students
Coached a student library team in creating book trailers, podcasts, and displays to promote reading
2017 - 2018 Interim Secondary Teacher-Librarian, United World College of Southeast Asia (Singapore)
Teacher-librarian in an IB DP Programme international school
Managed and continued development of "mother tongue" collection representing over 30 different languages
Collaborated with Digital Literacy Coaches for a reimagined introduction to the Extended Essay project required by IB DP Programme
Coached local staff of three in design thinking activities for a scheduled update of the library into a more interactive learning space for students
Worked with Head of English Department to develop a collection representing indigenous authors from Southeast Asia
Worked with local staff to bring the online catalog more in line with subject, call number, and MARC record standards
2014 - 2017 District Media Specialist, Forsyth County Schools
Created a standard of practice in school media centers with a wide variety of staffing models
Developed coursework for emerging media staff to build quality library media programs
Coordinated the renovation of nine media centers including the design, furniture selection, contract negotiation, purchasing, and installation of new furnishings
Coordinated the opening of two new school media centers by providing input during construction meetings and soliciting bids for opening collections, furnishings, shelving, and equipment
Developed and delivered all department meetings and professional development for district media center staff
Implemented a self-evaluation system to help all media staff deliver the expected standard of practice in information literacy instruction
Collaborated with the Instructional Technology Coordinator to create a set of expectations for the building level instructional technology specialist and instructional media specialist team
2007-2014 Media and Educational Technology Instructor, Fulton County Schools (Elkins Pointe Middle School, Roswell, GA)
Responsible for a media center serving 900+ students from a variety of racial, economic, and ethnic backgrounds
Actively sought out, created, and completed collaborative projects with classroom teachers in all curricular areas
Coordinated with Technology Support Specialist to maintain the school's website
Produced a daily, live video broadcast with a rotating student crew
Leadership Team, March Madness Reading program co-chair, Teacher of the Year selection panel , Student Advisor/Mentor, Spelling Bee Coordinator, Chair of Library Media Technology Committee, Common Core GPS Re-delivery team (2012)
Fulton County Teacher Advisory Council (2011-2012)
Fulton County Step-To-Achieve Design Team (2012)
System Library Media Committee (2012-2015)
Vanguard Team (2013).
2006-2007 Library Media Specialist, Pickens County Schools (Tate Elementary School, Tate, GA)
Updated, maintained and operated a media center serving 325 students in K-5
Organized and directed the Accelerated Reader program
Leadership Team, Spelling Bee Coordinator, Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl coach
Chairperson of the school's Library Media Technology Committee.
2000-2006 Teacher-Librarian, DeKalb County Schools (Midvale Elementary School, Tucker, GA)
Created, administered, and maintained a flexibly-scheduled, child-centered library media program that incorporated State GPS through collaboration with classroom teachers and administrators
Instrumental in the school's SACS re-accreditation process
Trained in International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program standards for re-delivery
Chairperson, Library Media Technology Committee, Curriculum Chair of PTA
DeKalb County Teacher-Librarian Advisory Council (2004-2006)
Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Coach, Spelling Bee Coordinator, sound/light technician for school produced programs/events
Produced live daily morning news broadcast with rotating crew of 4th and 5th grade students
1995-2000 Director, Library Media Center, The Epstein School/Solomon Schechter School of Atlanta
Implemented the first library media program delivered to Epstein school students
Created the school's first Collection Development Standards, Materials Challenge Standards, Information Literacy Standards, and K-8 Scope and Sequence of Skills incorporating information literacy and technology.
Collaborated with classroom teachers in all grades and subjects for integrated information literacy instruction
Coordinated with Judaics librarian for a bi-lingual collection supporting Hebrew language curriculum