Now Available! 2010 CASL Awards and nomination form: http://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Awards3

Outstanding Teacher-librarian of the Year Award Winner 2008-2009

Jo-Anne Gibson

Prior to joining the Acadia staff in September 2006, Jo-Anne primarily taught band at General Byng School. When she noticed that her hearing was being affected by her job she decided to investigate other teaching options. After one day of job shadowing Nell Ududec, Teacher Librarian at Bairdmore School (currently Library Consultant for Pembina Trails School Division), she decided that being a Teacher Librarian was the job she wanted to do. What intrigued her most about the position was how a Teacher Librarian could have a lasting impact on student learning and achievement.

During her three years at Acadia she has made many positive changes to the library including adding a sofa and chairs to give students a comfortable place to hang out and read, and adding a class set of computers and a Smart Board for teaching information literacy and library skills. In addition, she rearranged the library layout for easier access to the graphic novel collection, extensively weeded the collection which had not been done in many years, and selected materials for the library funded by two additional grants that the Division Trustees had allocated to all schools in the Pembina Trails School Division in 2008 and 2009.

At the school level Jo-Anne has been very involved with the IT committee and is readily available to help out any staff member who needs guidance and skills using technology in the classroom. She is also an active member of both the school and division based professional development committees and the school’s literacy committee. Class instruction in the library consists of library and information literacy skills, promotion of new books, author discussions and ICT skills.

Jo-Anne has instructed students in their new email program, given instruction in creating bibliographies, podcasts, blogs, wikis various computer programs and taught numerous information literacy skills. She hosts a MYRCA club and a MANGA / Japanese club for students during the lunch hour. She was instrumental in the creation of an online booking program for the library and computer labs. This schedule was expanded to include audio visual materials as well as our new outdoor classrooms.

Jo-Anne was quick to create a virtual library for the school and is continually updating it. It serves as an online resource for teachers and students and displays many of the Web 2.0 applications she teaches including Animoto, Voice Threads, Jump Cut videos, Moviemaker, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Slide Share.

During her tenure, the library collection has gone through major changes including an extensive graphic novel, manga and comic book collection. In support of school literacy goals, she has added materials that address student needs and interests at a variety of levels. Circulation records indicate that the grade nine students are signing out more books than they have done in the past, many of them being novels recently purchased with additional library funds. In the first couple months of the current school year circulation went up over forty percent.

Jo-Anne works collaboratively with her Library Technician to determine which authors to promote in displays, which materials need processing quickly, circulation, shelving and dealing with overdue materials. The library has become a hub of activity before school in the morning, at lunch and after school. It is a place where students and staff feel welcome and valued as learners.

At the divisional level Jo-Anne has shown leadership skills by making several presentations at the Pembina Trails divisional Teacher Librarian meetings including giving talks on graphic novels, a MYRCA blog, wiki’s and delicious sites and how they can be integrated into the classroom. She often shares ideas and insights on how to infuse ICT into lessons at division-based LwICT committee meetings.

Outside of school time, Jo-Anne has completed the Teacher Librarian Distance Learning Diploma and has also been involved as a panellist with an MSLA Literature Forum that was held at Acadia February 23, 2009. This same presentation is being incorporated into SAG for the fall of 2009. The topic of the forum was how to use Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Through her personal learning blog she is part of an extensive Teacher Librarian and Educational Technology network. She is a member of the Teacher-Librarian Ning, Classroom 2.0 Ning and Edublogs.

Library wiki: http://acadialibrary.pbwiki.com/
Blog: http://jagibson19.wordpress.com/
Delicious: http://delicious.com/jatacadia

Honorary Life Members Recognition

Bill Cann

Bill began his teacher-librarianship career at Gordon Bell High School in 1973-74. He then moved to the new Sturgeon Creek Regional Secondary School as the librarian until his retirement. Bill was very active in MSLAVA activities. He was president 1980-81. He organized the SAG 1978 conference around the “Tune Up” theme, looking at ways the school librarian could facilitate staff development. Bill was active in MTS Committees and carried a strong school library message. He was also one of the early librarians to organize secondary school study and orientation tours to the University of Manitoba Dafoe Library when Mike Angel worked there. Bill also evolved a problem-solving model for use with secondary school students named “Probe” which was highly successful.

Reesa Cohen

Reesa will be remembered as the spokesperson for school libraries in St. Vital. She worked at Dr. D. W. Penner from 1978 until retirement, and provided an exemplary model of school library services. Prior to that she had been a teacher at Glenlawn Collegiate and Glenwood Junior High School from 1965-70. She also had work experience at Winnipeg Public Library from 1963-64. Reesa co-chaired a team for the Canadian Images Canadienne 3 conference in 1994. It was a huge success. Reesa often travelled to Manitoba divisions providing in-service and consultative assistance on information literacy. She was a lecturer on Children’s Literature and Information Literacy at University of Manitoba Education for many years. She served as President of MSLA from 1990-91. Her work on various committees can be well documented. In 1993 Reesa received the National Book Service Teacher-Librarian of the Year Award. She completed in MLS in Syracuse in 1995. Reesa has been active on the Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library Board in recent times.

Derwyn Davies

Derwyn provided leadership in Seven Oaks Division for many years and was the Director of the Divisional Resource Centre. He was one of the founding members of the Manitoba Association of Resource Consultants, prior to its union with MASL to MSLAVA in 1970. Derwyn was particularly interested in innovations in the audio visual and technology field, and on its impact on children’s learning. He could be counted on for columns in the MSLAVA journal on film, television, and learning. He was involved in a Manitoba Education Film Services study in 1971 as a representative of MSLAVA. Derwyn transferred to River East School Division’s Bertran E. Glavin School and Donwood Schools where he provided quality leadership to the teachers in that area. Derwyn’s voice could be frequently heard at MTS AGM’s when resolutions were being presented that affected school librarianship.

Chris Dewar

Chris joined the library team at Hugh John MacDonald Junior High School from 1976-79, after graduating from University of Alberta Library School. She worked at St. John’s High School 1979-2000. During this time, Chris was as an active proponent of Young Adult Literature. She taught courses at University of Manitoba and also University of Alberta summer programs in this area. She wrote a regular column on YA for Emergency Librarian for many years. She was a stable influence on many MSLA committees, and served as President from 1982-83. Chris served as Treasurer for several years.

Judith Dueck

Judith began her library career in St. Avila School, Fort Garry 1981-82, and then with WSD at St. John’s High School in 1987-89, and then moved to Gordon Bell High School 1989-2003. Previously she had been a classroom teacher at Riverview and Lord Roberts Schools. She received many scholarships and grants to continue studies at Simon Fraser University and U of M. Judy has done considerable research, writing and workshops on censorship and human rights issues. Her work with the United Nations Huridocs has taken her to many parts of the globe as a spokesperson on the needs for literature and human compassion in our communities. She and her husband also worked for the Mennonite Central Committee in Israel. Judy was School Library Consultant for Manitoba Education 1988-90, and travelled over much of the province providing consultation and support. She also did sessional lecturing at U of M. Judy was always a willing worker for MSLAVA and assisted with committee work. She was a member of the Board of Directors for the Association for Teacher Librarianship in Canada 1990-92. In 1994, she was MSLA’s Outstanding Teacher-Librarian of the Year. In 1996 Judy was a recipient of the National Book Service Teacher-Librarian of the Year award.

Sheila Duprey

Sheila was the teacher-librarian at Grant Park High School from 1987-95. She was active on many committees, and demonstrated a concern for the learning conditions for children in all schools. She was a supporter for school literary and cultural appreciation programs, and was active on all the CIC conference committees. Sheila could be counted on to be a reliable working committee member. She received the Distinguished Service Award from MSLA in 1996 with special recognition for her leadership in establishing the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Awards program. Sheila has also worked at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba Library.

Irene Gordon

Irene worked for fifteen years in school libraries in Assiniboine South School Division before deciding to become a freelance writer in 1998 when she retired from her position as a teach-librarian. Irene served on MSLA executive and many sub-committees over the years. She undertook to manage the conference registration for more than five SAG Conferences. She was editor of the MSLA Journal from 1996-98. Irene has been a reviewer for CM: Canadian Materials as far back as 1994 when it began. Since 2003, Irene has had five books published. Three are biographies: Marie Anne Lagimodiere: The Incredible Story of Louis Riel’s Grandmother (2003), Grey Owl: the Curious Life of Archie Belaney (2004) and Sir Robert Borden: The Shy Guy Who Challenged an Empire (2007). The fourth is a history called The Battle of Seven Oaks: The Violent Birth of the Red River Settlement (2005). Her most recent title is First Nations Heroes: Tecumseh (2008)

Norm P. Guilbert

Following completion of his Library Science degree at University of Alberta, Norm became the Director of Library Media Services at River East School Division, until his retirement in 1995. Norm was an avid proponent of the school library and the use of technology in all classrooms. He worked tirelessly to provide centralized support services, to organize quality professional development, and to evaluate the work as it was progressing. A landmark document for the Division was “Playground for Curiosity: Report on School Library Objectives for the Planning - Programming - Budgeting Systems Approach to Educational Decision Making," which appeared in Manitoba School Library Audio Visual Association Newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 3. 1971, 14p. Norm could be counted on to provide support or facilitate any MSLAVA activity. His keen wit and sharp sense of humour were always appreciated on committees, whether it was MARC, SLAM, or MSLA.

Gloria Hersak

Gloria worked in Assiniboine South School Division at Van Walleghem School, prior to her appointment as the School Library Curriculum Consultant at Manitoba Education from 1988-1992. There she assisted in the development of the department’s new School Library Policy, selection of school automation systems, revisions in the financing formula for school libraries and revision to the Public School Finance Board’s guidelines regarding space requirements for school libraries. Gloria has demonstrated a commitment to professional growth through participation in a wide a variety of professional organizations, workshops and publications. She graduated with her MLIS from Emporia University. Gloria has been a leader in school library organizations. She was President of MSLAVA in 1987-88, President of the Canadian School Library Association, and with Dr. Marlene Asselin from UBC, and headed the merger with Association for Teacher Librarianship in Canada to form Canadian Association for School Libraries. Gloria served as the chairperson for the CSLA conference that was held in Winnipeg. She received the CASL Margaret B. Scott Award of Merit in 2004. Gloria was a constant and firm advocate for quality and standards in school librarianship.

Griff Hodge

Griff came from Ontario to be the Media Director at Mystery Lake School Division, in Thompson. Griff was a great reminder to the MSLAVA executive about the needs for libraries “outside the perimeter”. He had a balanced perspective to the introduction of technology into the classroom, and worked closely with administration to develop exemplary libraries and programs in his district. He exerted a strong influence on other districts in northern Manitoba. He was a strong supporter for Universities of the North concept, and for developmental courses in that area. While he never served directly on the MSLA executive, his influence was strongly felt on committee work here and at the Department of Education.

Wanda Hyde

Glenlawn Collegiate in St. Vital School Division was the site where Wanda performed her magic with young adult readers and integrating teachers into the library program. She was active in MSLAVA for many years, serving on committees and participating in workshops. Reesa Cohen reminds us that “Wanda walked the talk of what was later to be referred to as Resource-Based Learning.” She represented the secondary school voice on many topics. Hers was the model library in the St. Vital district. She served enthusiastically on the CIC Image conference committees and received the Outstanding Teacher-Librarian of the Year Award in 1995-96. She was featured in the Winnipeg Free Press as well as in the St. Vital Lance.

Dave Jenkinson

Dave began his librarian career in Stonewall, before studying at the University of Alberta. During his teaching career at University of Manitoba from 1973-2007, Dave has been responsible for many research studies on young adult literature, censorship, and the state of school libraries in Manitoba. He has written widely on the field both in MSLA Journals and nationally. His editorial skills combined with Evelyn Winston and Margaret Ann Foran on the MSLAVA Journal 1974-76. Dave worked on many committees, and was MSLA president from 1983-85. He has served on the Canadian Children’s Book Centre Board and many other school library related committees. He started the Winnipeg Children’s Literature Roundtable’s Amelia Read-In in 1989 and led it for 10 years through 1998. In 1999 he received the MSLA Distinguished Service Award. In 2000, he received the CSLA Margaret B. Scott Award of Merit. Many MSLA members will have studied under Dave’s direction in the Library Science courses at University of Manitoba. Dave was a founding member, and continues as Editor of CM, which remains a popular reviewing / selection tool for schools across the country.

Barbara Kelly

Barbara worked at the Department of Education from February 1, 1982 as Media Consultant, and later as Coordinator of Collection Development Services, which was a new position created though reorganization. In August 1987, she moved to Selkirk Regional High School, where she also co-ordinated library development in that division. Barbara was recognized for her collaborative skills with the public library system in her area. She served on both Association and Departmental committees for many years. Barb was MSLA President in 1997-98. She is currently at Red River College Evenings, as an instructor teaching Problem Solving and Decision Making, a course in the Health Services Management Program. Since her retirement she has continued with a consulting business related to personal and staff development and communication skills.

Michelle Larose-Kuzenko

Michelle was teacher-librarian at Sun Valley School and Dr. Hamilton School in River East School Division where her dynamic and imaginative leadership captured many teachers. She has been prominent in providing professional development in many areas of the province. Her memberships in CSLA, ATLC and ASCD kept her current on growth, innovation and change. Michelle was president of RETLA in 1993, and Advocacy Chair and then President of MSLA in 1996-97. In 1997, Michelle was SAG conference chairperson. In 1998, she was a recipient of the National Book Service Teacher-Librarian of the Year award. She is a Manitoba Education Citizenship and Youth consultant, with special attention to the involvement of technology in the development of Literacy with ICT. She represented the MB BEF in the creation of Invention, Innovation & Discoveries: A Grade 6 Interdisciplinary Middle Years Multimedia Unit for Teachers. Since her retirement, her private consultancy in Information Literacy has been quite successful. Michelle’s writing and comments can also be found on LM_Net. She is an active Chair of the Liturgy Committee of St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Parish.

Ron LeDoyen

Ron was a teacher and teacher-librarian at Acadia Junior High School in the Fort Garry/ Pembina Trails School Division. He is probably best known to MSLA members for the journal column “Ron’s Reading Room” which ran in 23 issues, from 1998 to June 2004. He was the Treasurer for MSLA from 1997-2001, and an active member on the Executive. He also served on the Fort Garry Teachers’ Association Executive for several years, and was a regular representative at MTS meetings and functions. Ron could be counted upon to assist, share and lead in the community. His work on SAG committees was always greatly appreciated. He currently lives in St. Germain, MB.

Boris Lefteruk

Boris was well-known as the Library Media Co-ordinator in Assiniboine South School Division for many years. He was active in organizing staff development workshops related to the use of various types of small media format audio visual materials. Boris took an active role in the MSLAVA Film Services Study related to the Dept of Education. With Merv Farrough from St. James, he wrote columns for the MSLAVA Journal on a regular basis for several years. Boris served as President from 1977-78. Boris was an active member in the Association for Media and Technology in Education in Canada for many years, and a reliable worker in mounting the 1982 conference.

Joan Marshall

Joan began her teaching career at Royal School in Assiniboine South School Division and over the years has worked in all grades from K – 12. Joan completed an Honors degree in French, earned a Certificate in Education, and then moved on to take her Master of Education, with a major in school librarianship at U of Manitoba. Her library career began in Fort Garry School Division, which took her to Ralph Maybank as a substitute; Ryerson where she developed a large parent volunteer cohort; General Bing, where she was able to influence the Division administrator to invest significant funds to upgrade the collection; and to Henry J. Izatt, where she had the excitement of building a new collection and initiating a new program. She retired in June 2005 with three years at Fort Garry Collegiate, where she really enjoyed stimulating students to use original thought in their research writing, and to begin accessing databases. Joan was an active MSLAVA and MSLA member over the years. She was a conscientious Membership Chairperson; worked on the MYRCA committee for four years, edited the Journal for 1997-99, and was an active participant in the various programs of the Winnipeg Children’s Literature Roundtable. She is a regular and continuing reviewer for Resource Links and CM. She also published an article in Prairie Fire in young adult literature. Since retirement, Joan has worked at McNally Robinson Grant Park Store, and has specialized in young adult literature. She loves working with the young people and with parents to choose appropriate titles. Her other hobbies are gardening, cycling and golf.

Helen Norrie

Helen was the teacher-librarian at Queenston School from 1976-88, and at John Dafoe School from 1984-85. Then she concluded her school career in St. Vital School Division. She was recognized for her fine knowledge of children’s literature, which she taught at University of Manitoba for several years. Helen was also the editor for the Roundtable Review of the Winnipeg Children’s Literature Roundtable. Helen’s reviews and commentaries in the Winnipeg Free Press on children’s literature were always well received. She was given the MSLA Distinguished Service Award in 2002. Helen has authored several books.

Bill Potter

Bill succeeded Derwyn Davies at Seven Oaks Resource Centre, from his previous position as Teacher-Librarian at Vincent Massey High School in Brandon. Bill also brought the rural perspective to the Executive, and to the many committees where he served. He was particularly interested in good working relations with the public library systems, and with orientation sessions for high school students at both universities. Bill worked on several briefs to the Department of Education, and was frequently a voice at MTS meetings. As a member of the Manitoba Library Consortium and School Library Administrators of Manitoba, Bill was closely involved with developing the licensing agreements that were negotiated for the province, especially as it related to access to audio visual resources. He provided assistance to the United Nations Association Manitoba Branch through negotiating housing arrangements for their library collection and staff at the Seven Oaks School Division Resource Centre.

Barbara Poustie

Barb’s energy brought out the best in MSLA members and committee members. She was positive and focused on the needs for kids in the classroom. She worked as a teacher-librarian at Arthur A. Leech School in Fort Garry Division in the 70’s, at David Livingstone School in Winnipeg School Division 1981-82, before moving to River East School division at Donwood and Miles Macdonnell Collegiate until her retirement. Barb was a very active consultant at Manitoba Education from 1992-95. She was MSLA President 1995-96, and was recognized as the Outstanding Teacher Librarian of the Year in 1998-99.

Brian Rountree

Brian came to MSLAVA as a teacher-librarian in Eastwood Elementary School in the Mystery Lake School Division. He provided a rural perspective to many committees, both at the departmental level and for the Association. He served as Archivist for several years. Brian was also a member of the Anglican Clergy. After his retirement from schools, he attended University of Western Ontario to complete his MLS, and wrote several important articles on school library leaders and history. Since returning to Manitoba, he has worked on the Reference Desk at MB EDN Library, and is now an Instructor at the Red River College Library Technician Program.

Margaret Stimson

Begin with boundless energy and enthusiasm for the profession, for kids, and for learning. Add a large dash of technology and you will experience Marg’s high level of professionalism. Margaret was the Library Media Co-ordinator for Assiniboine South (1990-2003) and later Pembina Trails School Division until her retirement in 2007. Marg has worked on many Department of Education Committees: Resource-Based Learning Curriculum Team (1994), Interdisciplinary Middle Years Multimedia Project, Freeze Frame Advisory, Curriculum Navigator 2 Team, as well as Red River College Library Technician Advisory Committee and Staff development committees in her district. She has been a workshop presenter in many divisions in the province. Marg was co-editor of the MSLAVA Journal from 1984-86, 1995-96, 1999-2002. She worked on CIC Planning Committee, was the MSLA Webmaster from 1995-98, MSLA Executive 1984-86, 1995-2003, various positions including secretary, president 1998-99, and SAG chair 1998. She was also a very active member of SLAM for several years. In 1997 she received the Distinguished Service Award in 1996 and again in 2007. She received the CASL Margaret B. Scott Award of Merit in 2007. Check out Infozone on information literacy as one of the leading models on the Internet, whose website Marg managed from 1995-2007. She is still a regular worker with SCHLIB which is a very popular listserv. She has explored and worked with Web 2.0, Wikis, and the current technology tools.

Susan Traill

Susan began her library career in Winnipeg School Division as Head of Technical Services from 1975, before moving on to become the Teacher-Librarian at Camp Shilo DND School. She lived in Brandon and commuted regularly to Winnipeg to chair meetings, work on committees, and be President from 1978-80. She was also Journal Editor from 1980-82. Susan was very active in CASL and several years as president there also. Her work as School Library Consultant at Manitoba Education 1985-87 gave her scope for collaboration with the Curriculum Department, and also influence with many superintendents around the province helping to implement the CASL standards document “Resource Services for Canadian Schools”. Susan edited the MB EDN “Guideline for Technical Services for Manitoba Schools” and worked with Tom Gartshore on updating that document to include automation programs. Sue was a regular contributor to the Journal and to national publications.