President 2011-2012

Lou Greco
Director for Instructional Technology and Media Services
St. Johns County, Region 2

Lou is currently the Director for Instructional Technology and Media Services for the St. Johns County School District in St. Augustine, Florida.  He is in his 32rd year in public education in the state of Florida.  He is a strong advocate of using research and statistical information to improve school libraries.  He has spoken at conferences and at school districts on this topic.  He was a 1994 Florida Teacher of the Year finalist from Region II while serving as the school library media specialist for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind serving students from PreK–12th grade. 

Lou currently is serving on the American Association for School Libraries as Region V Director.  He has served on the FAME Board of Directors,  Jim Harbin State Chairperson and on the conference committee for many years.  He has been president of FASM (Florida Association of Supervisors of Media)  and FADIMA (Florida Association for District Instructional Materials Administrators.  He has also served on the task force for both Sunlink and FOR-PD.  He has been an adjunct instructor at both Flagler College and the University of Central Florida. It would be an honor to represent the excellent school library media specialists of Florida.

Vange Scivally
School Library Media Specialist, Lakemont Elementary School
Orange County, Region 3

Providing the best services and programs possible through the school library media program is the very heart of what I strive to achieve at Lakemont Elementary School in Winter Park, Florida.  As a school library media specialist with over twenty-five years of experience, I can think of no other career more challenging or rewarding!  And for this reason, I continue to support FAME with my time and experience in the field of Media Education.  It would be my honor to serve as your president.  

As Chair of last year's 2009 FAME Conference, I worked to coordinate only the best professional opportunities for all in our field.  Past experience as the 2002 and 2005 Conference Chair and numerous positions on past conference committees as well as serving on the board, I hope gives me the edge in this exciting endeavor.  I currently serve on the legislative and Ways and Means committee as well as the FAME Board of Directors.

I have also been actively involved in the Orange County Media Association since the onset of my media career in this county more than 20 years ago.  Having served as an officer and in several board positions, I currently serve as the chairman of our clerk/volunteer appreciation event for my local association.  Helping to maintain strong support for our profession both locally and state-wide has always been an important issue for me because what we do is important to our school community.  Elect me as your FAME president and I will work hard to continue the missions and goals of our association.  I want to serve you!

Board of Directors 2010-2013

Sheila Brandt, Ed.D.
Coordinator of Media Services,
Escambia County School District, Region 1

I am honored to be a candidate for the FAME Board of Directors. I am committed to the potential and future of school librarianship, and I am fortunate to be actively involved in the profession. My  educational and professional experiences are centered in school library programs. I earned a bachelor’s degree in history, master’s in library science, and doctorate in instructional technology. I have worked as a library media specialist at the elementary and middle school levels. Currently, I serve as the Coordinator of Media Services for Escambia County School District.

My professional memberships include:
•    FAME - member of the Legislative Committee
•    FASM (Florida Association of Supervisors of Media) – member of the Power Library Committee
•    PLAN  (Panhandle Library Access Network) – member of the Board of Directors
•    ECMSA (Escambia County Media Specialists Association)
•    ALA
•    ISTE

My primary concerns are the instructional role of school librarians, emergent technologies, collaboration, and advocacy. I am also interested in professional development, reading promotion, and program planning/evaluation.  In these critical and exciting times, I would be committed to providing a voice and taking action for our profession.

Caroline Devine
Associate District Media Specialist
Polk County, Region 4

Brief Bio:  I have served the students and teachers of Polk County Schools as a media specialist for 36 years.  10 years in elementary schools, 11 years in high schools, and the last 5 years as Associate District Media Specialist in Polk County Library Media Services.  Working in Library Media Services I have helped facilitate such programs as:  SSYRA Book Festival, SSYRA Book Bowl, Meet the Author, Polk County Men Read, Teen Book Chats, Shining Star, and professional development for media specialists, teachers, and administrators. I graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Library Science.

Professional organizations include:  American Library Association, American Association of School Librarians, Florida Association for Media in Education, Florida Association of Supervisors of Media, and the Polk Educational Media Association. Service to FAME:  Served on the Intellectual Freedom Committee, worked at various FAME conference representing Polk County.

Why I want to serve:  After being a member of FAME for so many years and benefiting from the conferences, regional meetings, and other professional learning opportunities, I felt that it was time I gave something back to the organization.  I would like to give my time and  energy to help our profession withstand the challenges of the times and grow stronger in the future.

Cora Phelps Dunkley, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Library and Information Science
University of South Florida

Biographical Information:
I am Cora Phelps Dunkley, an associate professor in the School of Library and Information Science, University of South Florida, Tampa,  where I teach school media and youth services courses.  Prior to this appointment, I served as a librarian/school media specialist for more than twenty years and also as a classroom teacher. I have been an active member of FAME since moving to Florida eight years ago.  Nationally, I am an active member of ALA and currently serve on the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies Accessibility Assembly ,  the Coretta Scott King Committee where I will serve for the next two years as a member of the Coretta Scott King jury, the Black Caucus,  and AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award Committee.  During 2007-2009, I was a member of ALSC Notable Children's Video Committee.

Why  I feel I would be an asset to the FAME Board of Directors:
I feel  I would be an asset to the FAME Board of Directors because of my knowledge of and the longevity of my association with the library profession.   Furthermore, I look forward to serving on the Board to encourage the celebration of the rich multicultural heritage by Florida's media specialists.  As an active member of the ALA Coretta Scott King Award jury, I have come to realize the critical role media specialists play in providing young people with  opportunities to learn about different cultures. I will continue to be an active member of  FAME and an avid supporter  of school media specialists and programs related to this area.

Monique Mesot Foister, M.Ed.
Library Media Specialist, Bridgewater Middle School
Orange County, Region 3

After earning a Master’s degree in Special Education from Florida State University, I taught students with learning disabilities for 15 years, always putting an emphasis on reading and books.  Five years ago I realized that emphasis had turned into a passion, so I decided the library was the place for me.   The passion has turned into an obsession with trying to match students to the right book “by any means necessary,” and I have loved every minute of it!  I was lucky enough to be able to open a brand new middle school media center, Bridgewater Middle School in Winter Garden, which was both incredibly delightful and grueling at the same time!!

My professional affiliations in include our local OCAEM, Orange County Association of Educational Media, for four years, the last of which I have assisted with coordinating the middle level district meetings.  I have also been a member of FAME for four years, the last of which I assisted with local arrangements for the 2009 FAME Conference.  Finally, I have been a member of ALA for the last four years, with memberships in the following divisions; AASL, YALSA, and ALSC.  Additionally, I have been an active member on SAC and FAC for eight years.  Finally, I have been an integral member of our school’s Leadership Team for four years.

My desire to become a member of the Board of Directors for FAME stems from my positive interactions with current active members of our organization.  The professionalism and passion they bring to their positions is inspiring, and thereby inspired me to pursue a more active role within our professional organization where I could act as a fervent advocate for Library Media Specialists throughout our state, and ultimately, for our students.   I feel I would be an asset to FAME as a member of the Board because of my enthusiasm; additionally, my forthrightness and candor will only serve you, the members of FAME, in a positive and effective manner.
 

Lisa S. Horton, SLIS, NBCT
School Librarian, Emerald Cove Middle School
Palm Beach County, Region 5

I am humbled and honored to accept the nomination to run for the FAME Board of Directors. I have been a professional educator for 29 years. I began my career as a high school math teacher and later became a school librarian. I earned a MLIS degree from USF, a SLIS degree from FSU and am National Board Certified. As a school library media specialist I have been on the leadership teams of two new schools, one elementary and the middle school where I am currently serving. I have been an active member of our local Educational Media Association and currently serve that organization as a board member. I have also been active as a participant and leader in professional development activities on both the local and state level through FAME and FLA. I currently serve on the FLA Leadership Development Committee, am a past member of the FAME SSYRA committee, and been a session presenter at both the FAME and FLA conferences.
 
I truly loved teaching Algebra but truly found my calling as a librarian. I became a teacher because doing so provided me the opportunity to inspire students to strive for greatness, to develop a love for and the skills needed to become lifelong learners, and to desire brighter futures for themselves and their communities. I am a librarian because doing so provides me greater opportunities to serve and inspire both students and teachers. While being a school librarian provides me with wider opportunities and freedoms than I had as a regular classroom teacher, the role also brings wider challenges and greater responsibilities.
 
As school librarian's we are not only challenged by the changes that have come with the development and proliferation of technology within the broader society, but we are also under challenge politically and economically as educators. Both areas of professional challenge call us to strive for greatness in ourselves and to get involved in efforts that advance, expand, and elevate the profession.
 

Holly Ruffner
Specialist in the Instructional Materials and Library Media Services
Palm Beach County, Region 5

Holly Ruffner has been a member of FAME and her local professional organization EMA for 16 years. She is also a member of the newly formed National Council on Digital Citizenship and Creative Content. She represents the School District of Palm Beach County as the only school district who is a full partner with AskaLibrarian. This spring she will join the board of the Palm Beach County Library Association as the representative for school libraries. Before becoming a media specialist, Holly taught students in grades Pre-K through 11th in both private and public schools. Currently she is a Specialist in the Instructional Materials and Library Media Services Department in her district where she oversees a Professional Research Library and creates both face-to face and online training for library media specialists.

“FAME is a collaborative, responsive, dynamic network for Florida library media professionals.” Now more than ever this statement from the FAME Mission Statement needs to be true. Our profession along with the entire world of education is in a tremendous state of flux. We need a vision for a future we can barely describe. My motivation for joining the FAME Board is to take an active part in shaping the future of our profession. I would like to see FAME’s membership grow and FAME’s vision expand into the digital future.

Madeline Miller
Media Specialist, Jupiter Community High School
Palm Beach County, Region 5

My undergrad degree is from Penn State and Chestnut Hill College. I started my professional career as a Third Grade Teacher in Philadelphia. I received some pre-professional experience as a school librarian in St. Thomas, USVI. I obtained my Masters in Library Science from Catholic University in 1995 while working as a Library Tech for the USPS Headquarters in Washington, DC. My first professional librarian position was Government Information Services Librarian for the Palm Beach County Library System. I’ve been a Media Specialist in the Palm Beach County School District for 13 years working at the Elementary and currently the High School level. I was a part-time News Researcher for the Palm Beach Post for 4 years during that time. I’ve been a member of FAME since 1997 and have served on the Sunshine State Young Readers Committee and currently I am Region Chair for the Jim Harbin Student Media Festival. I received National Board Teacher Certification in Library Media in 2006.

With the difficulties facing all of education in the next few years, I hope to help spearhead the Library Media Profession to the valued role it deserves. I especially want to help formulate the value of the media specialist in the merit pay arena.

Kyla Rushing
Media Specialist, Bonifay Middle School
Holmes County, Region 1

I grew up in Bonifay (Holmes County) and graduated from Holmes County High School, Chipola Jr. College, and Florida State University with a B.A. in English and minors in education and Spanish.  I received my Master’s Degree in educational media from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale.  I taught secondary English for nine years before becoming a media specialist in 2005.  In November of 2009, I became a National Board Certified Teacher.  My activities include the following:  member of the Best Practices Council of the Florida Learning Alliance (1999-2003), member of Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority (2004-present) and treasurer of the local chapter (2006-present), member of FAME since 2005 and currently the Region I representative on the Membership Committee.  I enjoy reading, traveling, and cheering on the Seminoles!  I am married to Chris Rushing and we have two daughters, ages 7 and 5.

Because of dwindling state budgets and ever increasing demands on media specialists and teachers, I want to serve FAME because I feel I could bring a lot of insight into the challenges of small, rural school districts trying to provide technological resources and information needs to our students.  I feel that I could be an advocate for these districts by serving on the FAME Board of Directors.

Nominations Committee

Dr. Marie M. Coleman
Media Specialist, Lorenzo Walker Technical High School and Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology
Collier County, Region 5

A lifelong learner, I have been working in various facets of education since my own high school graduation.  My current position as a Media Specialist for the Lorenzo Walker campus includes opening a library for our newly constructed technical high school as well as serving the adult student population of our post-secondary career and technical programs. Past career experiences include working as a teacher, counselor, and administrator for high schools, community colleges, and universities in both face-to-face and online environments.  In addition to a bachelors and masters degree, I have a doctorate degree and have completed post-doctoral work in educational
technology.
 
In an attempt to broaden the horizons for students this year, I collaborated with another media specialist for the creation of a district-wide book club via the use of a discussion forum on Angel, our learning management system. We were awarded $1600 by our county's educational foundation to purchase Florida Teens Read books to share amongst the members.  In addition, I am currently working on a pilot project with educators from Finland and Australia using photography as a conduit for cultural exchange and online writing. Trying to stretch the ways we help students learn for their future, I advocate for and incorporate usage of web 2.0 tools as ways to motivate and converse about digital citizenship.
 
As a professional organization, FAME plays a vital role in leading the efforts of media specialists and assuring that students have access to library media programs.  The success of the group depends on the contribution of all members and I would be flattered to serve on the Nominations Committee for the 2010-2011 school year.

Nancy Pelser-Borowicz
District Library Media Specialist
Orange County, Region 3

Since becoming a media specialist in 1984, I have valued the work and commitment of FAME.  Each year their statewide programs and conferences strengthen the library media community thus building partnerships for learning.  Over the years, I have served as the editor for the Florida Media Quarterly, as a member of the FAME Scholarship committee, as a member of the Jim Harbin committee, as a FAME presenter, as a FAME helper at FETC, and as a member of the FAME conference committee.  I want to be an integral part of the FAME's Nomination Committee so I may contribute to its continued growth and improvement.

Marcy Ringdahl, M.S.
Media/Technology Specialist, Alafia Elementary
Hillsborough County Region 4
 
Teachers and students deserve the highest quality educator in the role of Media Specialist; one that can support not only the information/reference skills, but also, the curriculum at their school. I believe I have a moral responsibility to impress upon a child a passion for reading. To teach a child to read is simply functions of a method. It is not enough.  However, yielding a passion of reading, akin to lighting a fire, sparks learning and transfers the process of reading to the heart.

I feel very strongly that leaders at the school level are strong, honest, and trustworthy individuals that have only the student’s best interest at mind. I provide leadership by supporting my teachers, developing relationships with other faculty which in turn promotes mutual trust and respect. My district responsibilities include leadership team for Renaissance Place which provides training and technology support for this reading program and Accomplished Teacher Academy Task Force. I have led several breakout sessions at FAME, FETC, as well as spoken at a conference for technology integration in an Alabama school district. This is my fourth year as a Media Specialist.  I have been a “Teacher of the Year”, district finalist (2008, 2010).

I will work hard to provide the kind of leadership and dedications this organization deserves.

“Book lovers will understand me, and they will know too that part of the pleasure of a library lies in its very existence,” (Jan Morris).

Jill Saracino
School Librarian, Lighthouse Elementary
Palm Beach County, Region 5

As a School Librarian in the state of Florida I strongly believe that each one of us needs to do our part to keep our professional organization strong.  At the start of my career that meant simply being a member of FAME and attending the conference each year. I am now in my 9th year as a School Librarian and currently in my 2nd year serving on the FAME Board of Directors.  I have served on the FAME Awards Committee for 6 years, the last 2 years as the chairperson.  I now serve on the FAME Membership Committee as the chairperson.  As I see fellow School Librarians struggle to deal with limited budgets and increasing responsibilities the role of FAME becomes even more crucial. I support FAME in their efforts to deal with key issues such as open access, staffing and increased funding.  The support we receive through FAME, at both the local and state level, keeps us up to date on important issues, provides leadership opportunities and professional support.  A strong professional organization is essential as we strive to become effective School Librarians in the 21st century.