HOLLY THOMPSON
Brewster
Summary
Dynamic and innovative educator with extensive expertise in developing early childhood and elementary education programs that promote literacy and STEAM learning. Skilled in designing engaging experiences that enhance children's academic, social-emotional, and interpersonal skills. Committed to fostering inclusive community environments where children and families can thrive.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Children’s Librarian
Poughkeepsie Public Library District: Adriance Library
Poughkeepsie
03.2018 - Current
- Develop and conduct weekly Preschool Storytimes for 3-5 year olds with various themes while teaching phonetics, syllable and picture clue recognition, inferencing skills, and more.
- Design/implement multiple elementary programs with a focus on STEAM and literacy.
- Founded Little STEAMers for Homeschoolers series and Stories, Science, and Art series.
- Conducted school visits and created engaging Summer Reading video for all schools, promoting literacy initiatives.
- Founded the first free summer lunch program for children in conjunction with NYSED/USDA and POKCSD which still runs today.
- Created Early Literacy tips for parents and for Early Literacy backpacks.
- Created eye-catching displays for children's room and events using Canva and Google Slides, increasing program visibility.
- Spearheaded Digital Literacy grant collaboration and acquisition of technology equipment.
- Manage Preschool Learning Center as the PLC Coordinator for 7 years.
- Provided weekly referential desk coverage and reader's advisory, enhancing access to literature in children and teen rooms.
- Provided coverage for Infant, Toddler, and Music ‘n Movement classes.
- Developed and implemented themed community day block party serving over 250 patrons.
- Oversaw inventory management and ordering process for office and art/sensory supplies within the YS department.
- Entered all children/teen programs utilizing Eventkeeper software for consecutive years.
Head of Youth Services
Grinnell Public Library District
Wappingers Falls
01.2014 - 03.2018
- Designed and implemented 7-8 weekly public and community outreach Toddler and Preschool Storytimes including for local daycares and Astor Head Start Spanish families.
- Facilitated school district class visits as well as in-house tours for community organizations to promote Summer Reading and awareness of library services.
- Coordinated Summer Reading programs, raffles, prizes, and performers for Toddlers through Teens.
- Coached 17-member Middle School Battle of the Books team, achieving third place while mentoring Assistant Teen Coaches.
- Developed and conducted various Elementary aged programs including Lego Club, diverse arts ‘n crafts programs such as Peeps Under Construction, and Book Club with Grace Lin Skype Author visit.
- Coordinated and utilized teen and adult volunteers for the acquisition of community service hours while delegating weekly tasks to children’s room staff.
- Facilitated weekly communications with parents and Homework Help staff.
- Authored grant proposals to secure funding for youth programs.
Library Clerk I
Hyde Park Free Library
Hyde Park
01.2011 - 10.2014
- Assisted patrons with locating library materials and information.
- Answered reference questions using online databases and other resources.
- Provided technical support to patrons utilizing computers, printers, scanners.
- Processed new books and materials for circulation and display.
- Facilitated Children’s Storytimes for library patrons.
- Authorized community borrowers.
Early Childhood Teacher
Dutchess Community College Day Care Center
Poughkeepsie
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Cotaught children ages 18 months to 3 years old.
- Facilitated developmentally appropriate self-discovery play, fostering social, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
- Supported daily activities, enhancing children's engagement and learning experiences.
Home Tutor
Hyde Park Central School District
Hyde Park
09.1996 - 06.2010
- Provided one-on-one tutoring to middle and high school students in various academic disciplines to enhance understanding.
- Administered state and local exams.
- Coordinated weekly communications with district teachers, counselors, and parents to support student progress and address academic needs.
Third Grade Elementary Teacher
Goshen Central School District
Goshen
08.2000 - 08.2001
- Taught a heterogeneously mixed class of 25 students with several remedial reading and math students in all academic disciplines.
- Applied varied teaching strategies to meet diverse learning styles, enhancing student engagement and understanding.
- Communicated effectively with parents regarding student performance and behavior.
- Co-led Youth Ending Hunger Club, providing essential resources and support to local families facing food insecurity.
Summer Enrichment Program Coordinator
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie
02.1998 - 04.2000
- Managed the day-to-day operations of the program, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
- Monitored program budgets, expenditures, and resource utilization while making recommendations.
- Provided guidance and support to program participants in navigating resources, services, and opportunities.
- Hired staff for three enrichment sites.
- Conducted monthly meetings and coordinated promotional events.
Education
Master of Science - Library And Information Science, School Library Media Specialist
Long Island University
Long Island, NY08.2026
Master of Science - Educational Leadership, Information Science, School Library
State University of New York at Albany
Albany, NYMaster of Science - Literacy and Special Education Grades 1-6
Mount Saint Mary College
Newburgh, NYBachelor of Science - Elementary Education Pre K-6, Biology, Music
State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, NYAssociate of Science - Liberal Arts and Science Teaching
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NYSkills
- Early literacy development
- Curriculum design
- Educational programming
- Instructional strategies
- Digital literacy
- Community outreach
- Works well with team and independently
Awards
2023, Nominee for American Library Association I Love My Librarian Award
Professional Memberships And Seminars
- Facilitator: Library Journal & School Library Journal, 2024, Community Co-Design: How to Collaborate with Your Community
- Facilitator: NYSUT via SUNY Empire State College, 2020, Digital Literacy
- Facilitator: Dutchess BOCES- Frontline Education, 2020, Classroom Management for First Year Teachers
- Facilitator: Dutchess BOCES Frontline Education, 2019, Nourishing the Inner Landscape of the Teacher
- Facilitator: Dutchess BOCES Frontline Education, 2019, Classrooms as Culturally Responsive Learning Communities
- Facilitator: American Library Association Annual Conference, 2019, Workshop: Nourishing Minds: Food for Thought
- Facilitator: Dutchess County BOCES, 2019, DASA- Dignity for All Students Act Certification Training
- Facilitator: School Library Journal Webcast, 2018, Coding in the Real World-And How We Need To Teach It
- Facilitator: Mid-Hudson Library System & Ramapo-Catskill Library System, 2016 & 2017, Fall Into Books Annual Conference
- Facilitator: Mid-Hudson Library System, 2017, Early Literacy Cohort Program
- Facilitator: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 2017, Project Wild, Project Learning Tree
- Facilitator: Department of Elementary Education – SUNY New Paltz, 2017, Child Abuse Seminar, Violence and Prevention Wkshp
Timeline
Children’s Librarian
Poughkeepsie Public Library District: Adriance Library
03.2018 - Current
Head of Youth Services
Grinnell Public Library District
01.2014 - 03.2018
Library Clerk I
Hyde Park Free Library
01.2011 - 10.2014
Early Childhood Teacher
Dutchess Community College Day Care Center
01.2010 - 12.2010
Third Grade Elementary Teacher
Goshen Central School District
08.2000 - 08.2001
Summer Enrichment Program Coordinator
Dutchess Community College
02.1998 - 04.2000
Home Tutor
Hyde Park Central School District
09.1996 - 06.2010
Master of Science - Library And Information Science, School Library Media Specialist
Long Island University
Master of Science - Educational Leadership, Information Science, School Library
State University of New York at Albany
Master of Science - Literacy and Special Education Grades 1-6
Mount Saint Mary College
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education Pre K-6, Biology, Music
State University of New York at New Paltz
Associate of Science - Liberal Arts and Science Teaching
Dutchess Community College