My name is Lori Martin, and I am the librarian at Chute Middle School. 

My interests and research while completing a BA in Sociology-Anthropology (Knox College, Galesburg, IL) and an MA in Sociology (Loyola University-Chicago) led me straight to Education. So, I completed a Teacher Certification program at North Park University. Prepared with that degree, a lot of education and experience, plus numerous endorsements, I began teaching at a Chicago public school in 1998. 

I am in awe when I think about this being my 28th year as an educator! I served 12 years as a 4th grade elementary school ESL and Bilingual (Spanish-English) teacher. I realized the possibilities of reaching students in even more robust ways, so I earned my Master’s in Library Information Studies at Chicago State University; I began my 13th year as an educator in the role of school librarian. I was in that position for 6 years. 

After 18 years as an elementary school classroom teacher and librarian, I became a middle school librarian. I have been in this position for 9 years! This is my 28th year as an educator--12 years as a classroom teacher, 16 years as a school librarian!

I love teaching, reading, writing, crocheting, singing, dancing, traveling and meeting (and taking pics with😁) young adult authors! (Featured in the bottom left photograph with me is author Jerry Craft.)