I am the Librarian at the Phelps Center for Gifted Education.  This is my sixth year at WINGS and with Springfield Public Schools.   I have enjoyed being the Librarian and a Teacher here at Phelps.

I am originally from the small town of Seneca Missouri.  I received my B.S. in Biology from Missouri Southern State University in 1991, my teaching degree from Missouri State University in 2011, and my Masters in Gifted Education from Drury University in 2014.

I love to travel.  Every summer I go to Chicago to visit with my son Evan.  He is an aspiring actor/director/photographer.  He is advancing in his field more and more.  This past year he has written and performed his own material in several of the local comedy clubs in the Chicago area, such as The Second City.  As a father, I am so proud of his accomplishments.

Other hobbies include theater and gardening.  During the summer I spent much of my time landscaping my yard.  I love working outdoors and exploring nature, and I especially enjoy teaching students about nature.

Every year I attend the seminar on “What’s New in Young Adult Literature and how to use it in your program (Grades 6-12)” hosted by the Bureau of Education & Research.  The instructor is Patti Tjomsland.  This seminar focuses on new middle and high school books that are available to purchase.  The instructor reads over 339 books and creates a resource handbook for the attendees.  During the seminar she reviews over 100 books and promotes activities and resources that can be used in the classroom.  She also includes a clean read list.  The 2016-17 clean read list is attached.

This is very helpful to me when it is time to order books for the Phelps Library.  Many of the middle school students, as well as some elementary students, are reading at higher Lexile levels.  When ordering books, I use this clean read list in selecting the right book for our Library.

I am very grateful that PAGE supports and funds my decision to attend this seminar.