The Speakers

Adams, Shelli

Shelli has been in education over twenty-six years, teaching third grade, prekindergarten, special education, and serving as a reading tutor prior to becoming a librarian.  She currently spends her days as the campus librarian and media specialist on a primary campus in Alvin, Texas.  Her belief is that reading is critical to lifelong success and that there is magic in books, making time spent reading with children extremely precious.  Since the journey into literacy cannot end when a child learns to read but must also include developing a desire to read independently, she strives to ensure that libraries are an integral part of planting those seeds of desire in our children.  Shelli has been married to Stephen for 30 years and together they share two grown sons and a daughter who is a senior in high school. They live in a rural area surrounded by livestock.  She loves to relax with her family, drink Coke Zero, spend time being creative, and read good books.  

Blan, Bonnie

Previously Bonnie was an Educational Technology Consultant with Education Service Center Region 11 for over 10 years and a Technology Director and Educator for K-12 public education. She is a Texas Master Tech Certified Teacher and loved Project Based Learning in the classroom for over 25 years.

Ashcraft, Vanessa

Vanessa Ashcraft is the new School Programs Coordinator for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. She served in public education for twenty-seven years as a teacher, librarian, coordinator, and director. Vanessa earned her MLS at the University of North Texas and has served on several TLA committees. In addition, she served as president of the Texas Association of School Library Administrators and was an adjunct professor at Texas Women's University. 

Brewer-Munoz, Lindsey

Lindsey Brewer-Munoz is a Library Services Specialist for Houston ISD. Before becoming a library services specialist, she served as a secondary librarian and previously taught middle school (English language arts, magnet creative writing, and teen leadership). She received her Masters in Library Science at Sam Houston State University. She enjoys memes, her cats (Sadie and Moira), her dog (Agnes), most things Disney, and traveling. Lindsey is available to answer all of your questions and share her experiences. You can reach her at lindsey.brewermunoz@houstonisd.org.

Brown, Holley

My name is Holley Brown and I am a middle school librarian at Dunbar middle school in DISD. I started my teaching career in CCISD teaching elementary school for 10 years. After completing my master's degree in library science, I moved to DISD and started my library career at Barber Middle school. After a few years I was asked to open Kranz Junior high and got to fulfill a dream of opening a new campus and build a new literary collection. It was extremely rewarding building a new library for 21st century learners. While junior high was extremely gratifying, I am blessed to be back on a middle school campus where I get mold the minds of young literary learners. I am also the ringmaster of a beautiful circus that includes 3 beautiful children & 6 fur children. Our circus tent is full of love, compassion, good times & grace.

Bryan, Len

Len is the director of library services for Houston ISD. He just wrapped up year 26 in education, and has taught English, coached a multitude of sports for 11 years, served as a campus librarian for 7 years, and has been a library administrator at the Texas State Library, Hillsboro Oregon, and Denver Colorado for 8 years. 

Buron, Melissa

Melissa Buron is a teacher, librarian, writer, publisher and illustrator. 

Canada, Nicole 

Nicole is a Teacher-Librarian with 12 years experience as a librarian and 11 years as a classroom reading teacher.  She is passionate about helping students become lifelong readers and learners.  

Cashman, Robin

Robin Cashman’s career as a librarian has encompassed both public and school libraries.  She began her first library job in Kansas City at her hometown public library when she was seventeen years old.  She has worked in all levels of school libraries.

Robin has been very involved with Texas libraries. She was a member of the TALL Texans Class of 2006, a member of the 2012 Conference Planning Committee, a member and Chair of the TAYSHAS Reading Committee. Robin was named the 2013 winner of the Young Adult Reading Incentive Award for her work with the teens of Texas. She was also Chair of YART and was Local Arrangements Co-Chair for TLA 2020.  Most recently she was Intellectual Freedom Committee Chair.  Robin currently works in Houston ISD as a district Library Services Specialist where she works with 46 campus libraries K-12.

Chaffee, Gary

Gary Chaffee is a Library Services Specialist for Houston ISD. He's a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the University of Wyoming. He previously served as the Interim Coordinator for Special Collections at Texas Southern University and as Library director at North American University before joining HISD in 2018. Born in California but raised in Laramie, Wyoming, this guy-brarian enjoys travel, writing, music, books (obviously!) and spending time with his partner Ken and their chiweenie Kirby. 

Clark-Davis, Shante

Shante Clark-Davis earned her MLS from Texas Woman's University and a M.Ed. in Counseling and Development from Lamar University. She currently serves as librarian and campus communications liaison at Shadow Creek High School. She enjoys serving as a librarian in school, public, and college settings. Her favorite population to serve are teenagers. As a Texas certified school counselor, Shante enjoys collaborating with the counseling office at her campus to help promote health and wellness throughout campus. As a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A),  she enjoys volunteering in community health centers and social service agencies. She also is a mental health and wellness advocate. Shante is passionate about helping students hone their research skills, study habits and love for reading which they will need for their post-secondary educational and career pursuits. 

Clawson, Ronna

Ronna Clawson is a first year elementary librarian at a 3rd-5th grade campus in Alvin ISD. Ronna holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree from Texas Woman's University. She is a big advocate for literacy and for collaboration with teachers. Ronna is also a big supporter of building on student learning from the classroom with lessons in the library.

Conner, Jayne

Jayne is a Library Services Specialist for Houston ISD. Her experience includes teaching at the elementary and secondary level, as well as corporate partnership.

Contreras, Rubi

I am a GT pull out teacher and Librarian at Laura Bush Elementary. This is my 17th year at Bush. I started out as a Bilingual teacher, then as a Dual Language teacher. I live in Pasadena TX with my husband and four children. I enjoy reading and traveling.

Crowl, Karissa

Karissa Crowl is the Library Media Specialist at Adams Junior High in Katy ISD. She holds her Master of Library Science from Sam Houston State University. Before becoming a librarian, she taught 6th grade ELAR. Other than helping students find a good book, she loves showing students and staff tips and tricks within edtech tools.

Davis, Susie

I am an elementary librarian at a large PK-5 bilingual campus in Katy ISD. I was lucky to open MayDell Jenks Elementary in 2016 as my first library job so I've enjoyed building the collection and watching our library become the heart of the school! Since we are a large campus, scheduling can be a challenge so in 2021 I started offering book clubs before school and they have become one of my favorite activities to do with our readers! Come find out how to implement these fun book clubs with your students!

Discovery Education

One of the worldwide edtech leaders, Discovery Education supports learning wherever it takes place with its state-of-the-art digital platform. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners 

Dolan, Teresa

Teresa Dolan is a librarian in Spring Branch ISD and has loved every one of her 9 years in the library. While there have been many challenges in education for the past few years, this time has also reminded us of the importance of a quality library program and its impact on a school and community. Teresa has loved helping reimagine libraries in 3 schools in Spring Branch. While no two libraries have been the same or had exactly the same needs, Teresa has enjoyed finding ways to build strong programing at each of them.

EBSCO

EBSCO is the leading provider of research databases, e-journal and e-package subscription management, book collection development and acquisition management, and a major provider of library technology, e-books and clinical decision solutions for universities, colleges, hospitals, corporations, government, K12 schools and public libraries worldwide.

For more than 70 years, we have partnered with our customers and other industry-leading organizations to improve research and outcomes through quality content and technology.

Follett

Since 1873, educators have trusted Follett as a partner in the mission to build confident, independent, and well-rounded students.  From time- and money-saving tools and technology to an expansive selection of book, eBooks, and hands-on learning materials, Follett helps educators unlock potential in more than 45 million students worldwide. 

Fuller, Laura

Laura graduated from Texas State (undergrad) and Sam Houston state (graduate) She has been in education for 13 years and completing her 4th year as a librarian at a Houston area high school. She is learning to love a good rom-com while still staying true to her science fiction heart. Outside of the library she enjoys facilitating fun for students groups and sporting events (she is the best scoreboard keeper around!) gardening, traveling, and spending time with her pup, Ollie!

Gale

Gale through TexQuest is an Educational Partner to nearly every district in Texas. Gale plays a key role is student research through resources in TexQuest and beyond, offering a Social Studies Suite and the new Gale in Context: Literature resource that will open the eyes and minds of students across the state. Gale empowers our customers; being a major provider of student eBooks and Professional Development libraries for teachers. We take seriously the role Social & Emotional health plays in learning and provide incredible SEL resources to both students and teachers throughout the state.

Galvan Russell, Stephanie

Stephanie Galvan Russell is a School Librarian, Educational Technology Specialist, and Instructional Designer in Austin, Tx. She serves on the TLA Spirit of Texas Committee, has been Past-Chair on the Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Committee and is a member of the TxLA Intellectual Freedom Committee and the 2023 TxLA Annual Conference Planning Committee. Stephanie was the 2018 YART Young Adult Reading Incentive Winner and TASL Media Virtual Presence Honorary Award Winner for her blog, The Lispy Librarian. Her passions include effective technology integration, engaging and purposeful PD, and connecting students to diverse books. 

Gleeson, Maddie

Maddie Gleeson has been in education for 24 years with the last 16 as an elementary librarian.  She has a daughter who is a sophomore at Southeast Missouri State University and a son who just graduated high school.  She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, traveling, and hiking. She is excited to share all about new books with you today!

Gulley, Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashlee Gulley, M.Ed., Licensed Professional Counselor. I earned my Master of Education in Counseling and Development from Lamar University. I am a Certified School Counselor, Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner, and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist.  I currently work in Alvin ISD as a Social Emotional Counselor and as an LPC part-time with my practice, hurtSPEAKS Wellness Center, P.L.L.C. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual and group therapy settings. I’ve worked in the field of mental health and wellness for over 14 years and am deeply passionate about helping others

who have been impacted by loss.

Hebert, Kate

Kate Hebert is an elementary librarian on a Pre-K-5th campus in Alvin, TX. Kate worked in public and academic libraries before becoming an elementary teacher, and later, librarian. Kate is the elementary lead librarian in Alvin ISD supporting 19 elementary librarians.

Heitman, Kari

Kari is the Library Systems Coordinator for Katy ISD and has been a campus librarian at all levels. She had the opportunity to open Paetow High School in 2017 and build a library program that promoted strong collaboration and connection with teachers in all departments. She is passionate about providing unique and creative learning experiences for all students and works diligently to collaborate with teachers in content areas that “don’t traditionally” partner with the library.

Herndon, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Herndon is currently the Library Media Specialist at Beck Junior High in Katy ISD. She holds a Master of Library Science from Texas Woman’s University. Since graduating in 2016, she has worked as a junior high librarian, an elementary librarian and a young adult services public librarian. She loves teaching about new tech tools and making the library collection accessible and exciting for all to use! You can find her on Twitter at @LibrarianERH.

Herrington, Kim

Kim Herrington is the librarian at Robert Turner College & Career High School in Pearland. She has been an educator for thirty-one years, fifteen as a high school English teacher and sixteen as a school librarian. Active in TLA, she currently serves as the Admin Assistant for the Tayshas Reading List Committee, the Councilor for Queers and Allies Round Table, and is a member of the Legislative Committee. In addition, she serves on the planning committee for TeenBookCon.

Hochevar, April

April Hochevar is current librarian at Bay Elementary in Clear Creek ISD. Before transitioning to the librarian position, she taught 2nd grade for 10 years. April strives to make the library not only a place that fosters a love of reading, but a place for students to create, build and explore in Makerspace. Follow her library adventures on twitter @LibraryBay.

Hollingsworth, Charla

Charla Hollingsworth worked in education for 28 years with more than 15 years as a librarian and district library leader.  She is passionate about building inclusive libraries to inspire readers of all ages 

Howard, Sheri

Sheri Howard has been a Texas librarian for 16 years and in education for 23 years. She is a librarian in an elementary/middle combined school and serves as her district's lead librarian. 

Hunt, Kersten

Kersten Hunt taught first, second, and third grade before becoming an elementary librarian.  She’s on a mission to make the library more kid friendly to help encourage love of reading and books.

Infobase

Infobase is the leading cloud-based educational solutions provider, integrating award-winning content, tools and technology to foster information literacy, critical thinking, and career readiness solutions that deliver interactive learning experiences.Our platforms integrate with every major learning management system, discovery service, and library management system With full Interoperability, SSO, LDAP, IP-Authentication. Our Promise is to deliver lifelong learning experiences supporting learners of all levels in becoming more informed participants in their learning environments, classrooms, career & society.

Kelley, Lisa

Lisa Kelley has just completed her 23rd year in education and 10th as a librarian.  She opened up her current school and has a passion for collection development! She loves to make the library the heartbeat of the school and grow the passion of readers! She has written grants and has won 2 totaling over $20,000 for her library!

Kelsey, Emily

I acknowledge that I am a settler originally from the lands of the Wichitas in the state that we now call Kansas. I have since resided on the land of the Karankawas in what we now know as Texas. I also acknowledge that my privilege and power as an educated woman has allowed me to earn my Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston - Clear Lake and then a Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. After teaching for seven years, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to serve my community as a teacher librarian at a local elementary campus. I am currently a student in the University of Alberta MLIS Program and seek to gain the necessary skills to better advocate for the intellectual freedom and rights of the students on our campus.

King, Pamela

Pamela King is a Library Services Specialist for Houston ISD. She is an Educational Guru with 30+ years’ experience. An accomplished and dedicated academic instructor. Pamela believes that learning should be fun! She enjoys creating and collaborating with others, providing authentic learning experiences that will develop life-long learning practices in students. She has a vast amount of experience in teaching ‘Littles’ as well as connecting with Middle School students in developing and executing community advocacy projects. Students have described her as “Zealous” because she becomes so excited and animated when creating projects! Mrs. King thoroughly enjoys participating/playing with students in hands-on activities connecting fun to real life skills. She has two Masters of Education degrees in Leadership and Educational Design respectively. An engaging speaker, she has presented at ITSE, TLA, TCEA and local districts training days. Pamela believes the library should be an inclusive space where patrons can think, explore content, create connections and make discoveries!

Kienhoff, Kelly

Kelly Kiehnhoff has been a librarian in Spring Branch ISD since 2014. She is an avid reader who lives in Katy, Texas with her spouse and four cats.

Krause, Leane

Leane loves serving the students and teachers of Benignus Elementary, where she has been the campus librarian for 5 years. Prior to becoming a librarian, she was a classroom teacher for 8 years. Leane also serves the district as the Lead Librarian of the Reading Express mobile library. Leane is passionate about making her library student centered and has won several grants to support that effort.

LaBoon, Jennifer

Jennifer LaBoon has worn many hats in her 24 year career as a school librarian—elementary librarian, middle school librarian, district coordinator, and most recently sales manager for Bound to Stay Bound Books.  She spent seven years on the TLA Executive Board and many more as a legislative committee member and chair for both TASL and TLA, advocating for libraries locally, in Austin, and Washington DC. She was President of TLA in 2019.

Ladner, Jennifer

Jennifer Ladner is the current librarian at Mossman Elementary in Clear Creek ISD.  She has been in the education field for over 30 years. She has taught a variety of grades which include kindergarten through 4th grade before moving into the library 4 years ago.  Jennifer passionately believes all kids are readers, its just a matter of finding them the right book.  With this passion, Jennifer strives to build a community of life-long readers.  

Lewis, Karyn

Karyn Lewis has worked in public schools for twenty-one years, and is currently the librarian at a middle school in Katy, Texas. This is her 11th year as a school librarian. She has also taught second, third, and fifth grades, and was an elementary librarian for 4 years. She is passionate about connecting readers to books and authors.

Lightbox Learning

We at Lightbox are always thinking about how best to meet the needs of educators. Lightbox Learning, a premier educational solution, uses leading-edge technology to address curriculum needs and inspire students. The platform is cloud-based, cost-effective, and intuitive. It allows you to tailor your teaching to various learning styles and connect your students with trustworthy media-rich resources, including videos, weblinks, activities, audio narration, and more.

Limmer, Nancy

In education for 28 years, Nancy has spent 20 of those years in the library with 19 of them at West Memorial Junior High in Katy. Looking for ways to entice students and staff back in to the library after COVID, she discovered the amazing world of Passive Programming and it has been a game changer.

Maker Maven

Maker Maven is your premier partner for award-winning STEM products, curriculum and professional development. We provide custom designed STEM experiences that meet the needs of your school community.

Maslonka, Amanda

Amanda Maslonka has been an elementary librarian for eleven years but an educator for twenty-five.  She is currently serving as a representative on the Texas 2X2 Committee. She is passionate about getting great books into the hands of her students.  In her "free" time she enjoys road trips, hiking and exploring new places with her husband who is also a career educator. 

McComb, Debbie

Debbie McComb has been in education for 35 years.  She is currently in her 19th year as librarian at Sam Jamison Middle School in Pearland ISD.  Debbie also serves as the Lead Librarian for the District. 

McNabb, Jackie

Jackie McNabb has been an educator for thirty years. All of her teaching experience has been in the primary grades. For the last fifteen years, she has been an elementary librarian and loves it.  Her passion for picture books is what helps her support the teachers she works with and guides the students in selection. 

Nguyen, Lisa

Lisa has been a librarian for the past 10 years, all of which have been in Katy ISD.  She is currently the librarian at Seven Lakes High School, but has served at both the high school and junior high level.  

Ortiz, Mariya

Mariya Ortiz has devoted her life to the best job in the world: being a teacher.  After being confined to a classroom for 9 years, she upgraded to the greatest classroom on campus-- the school library.  She served in every kind of library over 22 years before stepping into her role as a consultant for Reading Language Arts and Library Services for Education Service Center, Region 20 in San Antonio, TX.  

Permabound

Perma-Bound, a division of Hertzberg-New Method Inc., has been a leader in the book rebinding industry for almost 70 years. In the mid 1960's Hertzberg-New Method began a new division of reinforced paperback books that would become known as Perma-Bound Books, and thus started the line of products that schools and libraries nationwide view as, "the strongest books you can buy."  With our US patent for our binding process, we set the standard that the industry would follow, by being the first to offer an unconditional guarantee on our Perma-Bound books.  Perma-Bound has been family owned and operated since its beginning. We pride ourselves on offering our customers big business service, knowledge, and experience, but with a small town feel and personalized customer service.  With an in-house inventory of more than 3 million books, let us help you build collections as strong as our bindings!

Politsch, Deborah

Deborah Politsch, MLS.  Little Mavericks committee Member 2019-2022, Wakelet Committee Member; Book Creator Certified Author.  Deborah has been a librarian for 10 years and she enjoys reading to her students, sharing new books, and getting them excited about using technology in the library.

Polk, Charlotte

Charlotte Polk, MLS - Lead Librarian/Elementary Librarian, Brenham ISD.  TCEA Lib-Sig Secretary/Treasurer 2020-2022, TASL Administrator of the Year Committee Member 2019-2021 & 2022-2024, Wakelet Ambassador, Screencastify Master Screencaster, Flipgrid Certified Educator Level 1 & 2, Book Creator Certified Author.  Charlotte is an elementary librarian that is passionate about reading and technology.  She enjoys sharing that passion with her readers at her elementary campuses.

Suffron, Elizabeth

Mrs. Suffron is a second year Librarian in her second year in DPISD!  Her passion of helping people connect to the world around, especially through hands-on information exploration, is the heart of her service. She received a Masters in Library and Information Science from UNT and a Bachelors of Literature from UHCL. She loves being creative and seeing the creativity of the minds around.  In her free time, Mrs. Suffron enjoys spending time with family, biking, signing in local choirs, seeing a good movie, and simply relaxing at home.

Tidwell, Dianne

Dianne is the Director of Digital Learning for Tomball ISD where she has been employed for the past 26 years.  Before becoming a Director, Dianne taught computer science and business education.  In her role as Director of Digital Learning she supports the campus librarians.  Her passion for helping all students become readers can best be described in a quote by Margaret Fuller, "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader".    

Uribe, Esther

Esther Uribe has over 20 years of experience in education in mostly elementary bilingual and ESL settings, with more than 14 years in the elementary library. She loves putting books into the hands of children and cultivating a love of reading and learning.  

Wardsworth- Thomas, Tashauna

Tashauna Wardsworth-Thomas currently serves as a middle school lead librarian, the 1:1 campus coordinator and the tech liaison at Hopper MS in Cypress Fairbanks ISD. She is a high energetic, hands on librarian with 26 years of educational experience transforming struggling and reluctant readers into students who are excited about reading. During the pandemic she used her role as the the tech liaison to create tailor made professional staff developments  using Zoom , Google Classroom and Schoology to usher staff into virtual learning.  When the 20-21 school year began she found herself as the 1:1 coordinator where she created processes and procedures to ensure campus students and staff were able to maximize 1:1 to its full potential. 

Prior to coming to Cypress Fairbanks ISD she was an Information Literacy Specialist at Stehlik Intermediate in  Aldine ISD; where she served as a Grant writer with grants totaling ore than $430,000, a  curriculum writer for intermediate librarians and an after school coordinator.  In her early role as a ELA teacher she fell in love with the campus computer cart, not knowing she would later become a media specialist and advance her knowledge of tech.  

When not on campus you can find Mrs. Thomas fine tuning her technology skills as a MIE certified and Google Level 1 & 2 educator at home with her husband and their their Yorkie Sir Phillip Michael Thomas. After serving many years as the Worship Tech Director she now spends her Sunday’s in Kids Ministry helping kids learn about God and how to begin a personal relationship with Him. You can contact me via email at Tashauna.wardsworththomas@cfisd.net or follow me on Twitter @MrsWWT.

Wright, Vincincia

I have been  an educator for 19 years. I have a heart and passion for advocating for those who are unable to do it for themselves.  I have served the students of Alvin ISD as a science teacher, Advanced Academics Specialist, and as a counselor.  I currently serve as the Lead Counselor at Shadow Creek High School in Alvin ISD.  I also am an LPC-A and work part time at Clearhope Counseling and Wellness as a therapist.