Andrea Henry is an experienced Library Media Specialist and educational leader with over 20 years in public education. She began her career in 2002 as a Collaborative Education Teacher at Double Springs Elementary and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Athens State University and a Master of Education in Library Media from the University of West Alabama. Andrea also gained experience in public librarianship, working with both Leighton Public Library and Muscle Shoals Public Library before returning to the school setting. She served seven years as librarian at Phil Campbell Elementary School and currently leads the library program at Sheffield Junior High/High School, where she focuses on literacy, student engagement, digital learning, and innovative programming. She earned an Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate from Columbia University, sponsored by NASA, and completed her Instructional Leadership degree at the University of West Alabama in 2023. Andrea and her husband co-own USSA Baseball of North Alabama, supporting youth athletics in the region. She is passionate about empowering students, supporting educators, and building strong, future-ready library programs.

Rachel Joiner is a solo librarian at Advent Episcopal School, a 3K - 8th grade independent school in downtown Birmingham. She received her MLIS from the University of Alabama in 2018 and her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Alabama. Previous to her life as a school librarian, she worked as a literary editor, copy editor, and marketing manager for an independent book publisher in Nashville, Tennessee, and spent several years in the magazine publishing world. She currently serves on the middle grade and picture book Yellowhammer Award and conference committees for ASLA, writes book reviews for School Library Journal, and has served one term as an ASLA board member. In her free time, enjoys reading, binge-watching British television, and playing music with her family. 

Wendy Post is the librarian at Monte Sano Elementary School in Huntsville Alabama.  She is a proud graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and served in the Air Force as a B-52 aircraft maintenance officer.  While her children were small, she volunteered in their school libraries.  She enjoyed it so much, she pursued her MLS at the University of Maryland College Park, graduating in 1999.  She spent 7 years in the Fairfax County Public School system in Virginia before her family moved to Huntsville as part of the Air Force Base Realignment and Closure program. Wendy has been with Huntsville City Schools for 11 years serving at three of their elementary schools. Not only is she a library media specialist, but she also teaches Monte Sano's Information Technology Classes. She has been awarded Monte Sano Teacher of the Year, ASLA's Elementary Library of the Year and the Air Force Association’s STEM Teacher of the Year.  Wendy currently serves as the Middle Grade Yellowhammer Award chair and has been on the Yellowhammer Committee for three years. She lives on a small horse farm and loves animals, reading, traveling and is an avid fan of the Washington Capitals Hockey Team.

Catherine Sanders is one of the librarians at Murphy High School in Mobile, AL.  She received her B.S. degree at the University of South Alabama in Elementary Education.  She began her career teaching grades 4 and 5. After being in the classroom for 20 years, she returned to the University of South Alabama and received her M.Ed in Library Media and began her career in the Media Center.  She has been a Media Specialist/Technology Support teacher in all grades, PreK – 12.  She has been a Media Specialist for 25 years and loves the interaction she has with the students and teachers.  

Alicia Stokes is a high school librarian at G.W. Carver High School in Birmingham with 13 years of experience in public education supporting diverse student populations.  Alicia holds a B.A. in Spanish, an M.A. in Secondary Education (ESOL K-12), an M.A. in Library Media, and an Ed.S. in Library Media. Her academic and professional journey has provided her with a deep understanding of how to integrate information literacy, technology, instructional collaboration, and program development to support student learning and engagement. Passionate about creating a welcoming environment for all learners, Alicia is dedicated to empowering students by amplifying their voices through reading.  Currently, she is an active member of ASLA serving on the Yellowhammer Book Award committee for young adults. 

Melissa Summerford has been in education for 20 years. She began her career at Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education working in the Elementary Education Department. She heard the call to the library and attended The University of Alabama where she earned her MLIS in 2016. She became the LMS at Greenwood Elementary School in Jefferson County that same year. In 2021, Greenwood moved into a new building and became McCalla Elementary, absorbing 40% of students from a neighboring school. During her time in Jefferson County, Melissa has served as her school’s ETeam Leader and been a part of many committees, including Yearbook, School Improvement, Budget, and PBIS. She has also sponsored Drama Club and Girls Who Code. Melissa was the Second Mile Teacher of the Year in 2018 and 2020 was selected as McCalla’s Teacher of the Year in 2021. She has been a member of ASLA since 2016, presenting at several Annual Conferences as a student and librarian. She has served on the Publicity Committee, ASLW Committee, Yellowhammer Book Committee, and Resource Committee. Melissa is currently working towards National Board Certification in Library Media.

Ashley Thobosi is the Library Media Specialist and Technology Coordinator at P.D. Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham, Alabama. She earned her M.Ed. in Library Media from the University of West Alabama and completed her master’s certification in Instructional Leadership from the same institution. She is currently pursuing National Board Certification, demonstrating her continued commitment to excellence in education. With 13 years in education—including 7 years as a school librarian—Ashley is passionate about literacy, instructional leadership, and innovative learning environments. She serves on the Young Adult Yellowhammer Committee and contributes to several leadership committees within her school district. In 2018, she was honored as Alabama’s Gifted General Education Teacher of the Year. Outside of her professional work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and sewing.