Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Heather Waters

Louisville,KY

Summary

Accomplished School Library Media Specialist at Jefferson County Public Schools, adept in Collection Development and fostering Student Engagement. Elevated literacy levels and integrated cutting-edge technology, enhancing educational outcomes. Proven leadership in curriculum integration and budget administration, significantly improving resource accessibility and promoting a culture of reading.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

School Library Media Specialist

Jefferson County Public Schools
08.2002 - Current
  • Monitored budget allocations effectively to ensure adequate funding was available for necessary resources and programming within the school library media center.
  • Partnered with classroom teachers to design research-based assignments aligned with curriculum standards and best practices in information literacy instruction.
  • Managed the acquisition, cataloging, processing, and weeding of library materials to ensure a relevant collection for all users.
  • Improved access to educational resources by maintaining a well-organized and up-to-date collection of print, digital, and multimedia materials.
  • Oversaw the selection of appropriate online databases and e-resources tailored specifically to meet the needs of students at various grade levels.
  • Developed customized reading lists tailored specifically to individual student interests in order to promote independent reading habits and boost overall literacy levels.
  • Compiled monthly usage statistics reports that highlighted key trends relating to patron behavior patterns which informed future decision-making processes regarding resource allocation or service improvements within the media center setting.
  • Provided professional development for faculty members on topics related to technology integration in the classroom, fostering increased teacher confidence in utilizing new tools.
  • Utilized social media platforms effectively as a means of communicating with stakeholders about upcoming events or new resource acquisitions within the school library media environment.
  • Coordinated the integration of digital resources into the school''s learning management system, making materials easily accessible for students and teachers.
  • Served as an advocate for intellectual freedom by educating stakeholders about challenges surrounding censorship issues faced by libraries nationwide.
  • Enhanced student research skills by implementing a comprehensive information literacy program.
  • Implemented innovative technology tools within the library space, increasing student engagement and enhancing learning opportunities.
  • Organized annual events such as book fairs or author visits that promoted literacy throughout the school community while also generating additional funds for resource acquisitions.
  • Increased collaboration between teachers and library staff through regular communication and joint lesson planning sessions.
  • Established a welcoming environment within the library space that encouraged students to utilize its resources for both academic pursuits and personal interests.
  • Developed strong relationships with community partners to bring guest speakers, authors, and other experts into the school library setting.
  • Promoted reading for pleasure among students, resulting in higher circulation statistics and greater enthusiasm for literature.
  • Organized library shelves, materials and equipment in clear, alphabetized order.
  • Handled check-in and check-out process of library books and materials at circulation desk.
  • Answered questions from patrons and helped to find desired materials.
  • Located library materials, resources and technologies to fulfill patron requests.
  • Placed books on proper shelves when returned to circulation.
  • Gained strong understanding of various methods for cataloging books and other materials.
  • Monitored library environments to maintain safe, hazard-free settings.

Mentor Teacher

Jefferson County Public Schools
10.2023 - 05.2024
  • Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on instructional strategies and classroom management techniques for successful outcomes.
  • Championed professional development opportunities, staying current with educational trends to continuously enhance teaching skills.
  • Enhanced classroom management, leading to a more focused and productive learning environment.
  • Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.

School Technology Coordinator

Jefferson County Public Schools
08.2004 - 08.2012
  • Trained employees on best practices for computer usage, including proper ergonomics, cybersecurity measures, and general troubleshooting techniques.
  • Implemented proactive measures to ensure the consistent functionality of audiovisual equipment for presentations, conferences, and meetings.
  • Performed system administration duties by monitoring and modifying student profiles and resetting passwords.
  • Created server accounts to manage network resources.
  • Used Google to create training materials for new applications and software.
  • Maintained active inventory of hardware and software licenses using [Software].
  • Provided ongoing staff training on new innovations to integrate innovations into instruction and administration.
  • Debugged, troubleshot and diagnosed issues with network infrastructure, computers and peripheral devices.

Professional Librarian

Jefferson County Public Schools
08.2007 - 08.2008
  • Catalogued and organized books, materials and other documents for proper library management.
  • Maintained a high level of customer service by addressing and resolving patron concerns or complaints in a timely manner.
  • Researched and acquired new library materials to maintain updated library collection.
  • Trained and supervised library staff, volunteers and other personnel.
  • Collaborated with district officials to develop library resources for students.

Upper Elementary Teacher

Jefferson County Public Schools
10.1996 - 08.2002
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating specialized tools and resources tailored to the needs of special education students.
  • Developed strong relationships with students, fostering a positive learning environment that increased motivation and achievement.
  • Successfully managed classroom behavior by implementing a clear expectations system and consistent consequences for misbehavior.
  • Implemented project-based learning activities that encouraged creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills among students.
  • Established an inclusive classroom culture where all students felt valued and respected for their unique abilities and backgrounds.
  • Led diverse students to academic success with differentiated instruction strategies tailored to individual needs.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop cross-curricular units that connected subjects such as math, science, social studies, and language arts.
  • Increased parent engagement through regular communication, conferences, and parent workshops on supporting their child''s education at home.
  • Enhanced critical thinking skills in students through problem-solving assignments and real-world examples.
  • Organized field trips and guest speakers to enrich the curriculum and provide hands-on learning experiences for students.

Education

Master of Science - Library And Information Science

University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
05.2004

Master of Arts - Elementary School Teaching

University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
05.1996

Bachelor of Arts - Art History

Beloit College
Beloit, WI
05.1990

Skills

  • Digital Citizenship
  • Student Engagement
  • Reference Services
  • Collection development
  • Website Maintenance
  • Online research
  • Copyright knowledge
  • Budget Administration
  • Information Literacy
  • Curriculum integration
  • Print Resources
  • Library Management
  • Reading promotion
  • Computer Assistance
  • Literary knowledge
  • Professional Leadership

Accomplishments

  • Institute for Museum and Library Services Grant – 2001 (JCPS & UK)
  • Deans List and Deans Scholar
  • Nominated AMGEN Award for Teacher Excellence - 2000
  • Beta Phi Mu – International Library and Information Studies Honor Society 2004
  • Nominated JCSMA Outstanding Librarian of the Year – 2006, 2008, & 2009
  • Scholastic Certificate of Achievement – Summer Reading Challenge – 2010
  • Recipient – ALA “We the People” book grant - 2010
  • Collaborated with team of educators in the development of Louisville Free Public Library programming with JCPS
  • Created a JCPS Middle School Librarian cohort group
  • Implemented JCPS collection development and bibliographies to align with state curriculum
  • SBDM member
  • Instructional Leadership Team
  • Advocate for School Libraries
  • Collaborated on a team with union members to develop a library evaluation document

Affiliations

  • Kentucky Education Association
  • Jefferson County Teachers Association
  • Kentucy Library Assocation
  • American Library Association
  • Jefferson County Association of School Librarians
  • Kentucky School Technology and Education

Timeline

Mentor Teacher

Jefferson County Public Schools
10.2023 - 05.2024

Professional Librarian

Jefferson County Public Schools
08.2007 - 08.2008

School Technology Coordinator

Jefferson County Public Schools
08.2004 - 08.2012

School Library Media Specialist

Jefferson County Public Schools
08.2002 - Current

Upper Elementary Teacher

Jefferson County Public Schools
10.1996 - 08.2002

Master of Science - Library And Information Science

University of Kentucky

Master of Arts - Elementary School Teaching

University of Louisville

Bachelor of Arts - Art History

Beloit College

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Heather Waters