With nearly 24 years immersed in the world of education, I bring a wealth of diverse experiences to the realm of school library consulting. My journey has taken me through six distinct school environments, spanning three in Colorado, USA, and three international institutions, providing me with a broad understanding of varying educational landscapes and needs.
A unique highlight of my career has been the privilege of designing and launching two school libraries from the ground up. The first was Castle View High School (9-12) within the Douglas County School District, serving 2,000 students and staff. As Head of Technology and Library and the Director of the Engineering and Technology wing at it’s inception in 2006, my responsibilities encompassed the comprehensive planning, execution, and ongoing management of all technology installations. This included the integration of cutting-edge technology in classrooms, video production suites, biology and engineering labs, and the entire network infrastructure. Crucially, this role also involved the foundational curriculum design for research skills, strategic collection development, efficient purchasing workflows, and the seamless integration of technology across the library and school.
My second opportunity to shape not only a library vision but a whole school and athletics facility. This came in 2011 with Awsaj Academy, a K-12 private school in Doha, Qatar, catering to 500-1,000 students and staff. Serving as the school’s Project Manager, I collaborated closely with contractors, overseeing all aspects from initial contracting and meticulous budgeting to in-depth furniture research and space planning. My responsibilities extended to the intricate details of network infrastructure, specialized audio/video installations for two theaters, and even the design elements of an athletics facility featuring a climbing wall, running track, and swimming pool. Furthermore, I worked directly with Risk Management to ensure inclusive provisions for students with special needs. Parallel to these large-scale infrastructure projects, I conceptualized, managed, and executed all facets of the library’s design, curated its initial collection, and developed its foundational programming. Navigating local construction practices, government agencies, and diverse contractors, I was deeply involved in the entire building process, from groundbreaking to the successful transition from temporary facilities to the new $75 million USD campus. The successful completion and seamless transition to this state-of-the-art facility remains a significant source of pride.
Beyond these foundational experiences, my commitment to fostering vibrant and effective library spaces is further demonstrated through:
- Enriching Learning Through Author Visits: Planning and coordinating engaging author visits to inspire students and cultivate a love of reading.
- Optimizing Collections with Genrefication: Implementing genrefication strategies to enhance collection accessibility and improve student engagement with diverse literary genres.
- Cultivating Unique Resources through Special Collections: Identifying, creating, and managing specialized collections to meet specific curricular needs and enrich the learning environment.
- Building Community through Engaging Events: Hosting a variety of events within the library to foster a sense of community, promote literacy, and connect learning with real-world experiences.
- Empowering the Next Generation of Librarians: Serving as a trainer for new librarians, sharing best practices and fostering their professional growth.
- Guiding Effective Research Practices: Instructing administrators, professors, teachers, and students in conducting efficient and effective research processes, equipping them with essential information literacy skills.
- Designing Bespoke Research Frameworks: Creating tailored research processes grounded in established Design Theories to meet the unique needs of different learning environments.
- Championing Research Excellence through Standards Implementation: Implementing rigorous Research Standards within K-12 schools to ensure a consistent and high-quality approach to inquiry-based learning.
- Ensuring Research Program Quality through Auditing: Conducting thorough audits of existing research standards and practices to identify areas for growth and improvement.
- Developing Clear Research Skills Pathways: Creating comprehensive Research Skills Articulations that outline the progressive development of research abilities across grade levels.
My multifaceted experience provides a unique and comprehensive perspective on the creation and cultivation of dynamic and impactful school library programs. I am passionate about leveraging this experience to help new school libraries thrive and become vital hubs for learning and innovation.
Castle View High School, Castle Rock, Colorado
Awsaj Academy in Doha, Qatar
Other experiences leading to a deep conducting consults for Technology in Education at Vientiane in Laos, Tri Association in South America, and smaller interventions across a variety of libraries.
International Ed Tech Guy 