AASL 2009 Elections
Susi Parks Grissom
Director-Elect Region VI
Degrees and Certifications
Texas Woman's University, MLS, 2001; University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, M.Ed, 1975; Agnes Scott College, BA in English, 1972.
Current Position
Library Media Specialist, Travis Vanguard and Academy, 2000-Present.
Previous Positions
Guidance Counselor, Richardson Independent School District (TX), 1978-85; Guidance Counselor, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (NC), 1975-78.
Offices Held in State & Regional Library and Other Associations
Texas Library Association: Chair, YARI (Young Adult Reading Initiative) Award, 2008-Present; Texas Library Association: Youth Programs Liaison, 2009 Conference Planning Committee, 2007-Present; Texas Library Association: Publications Committee, 2006-Present; Texas Library Association: Chair, Young Adult Round Table, 2007-08; Dallas Association of School Librarians: Task Force Chair, Friends of Dallas School Libraries, 2003-05.
Publications
Co-author, "Texas Teens 4 Libraries," Texas Library Journal (Texas Library Association), Winter 2008.
Honors, Awards, Prizes, Medals, Citations
TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute (Texas Library Association), Summer 2005; Beta Phi Mu Scholarship (Beta Lambda Chapter), Spring 1999; Transforming Texas Libraries Task Force , December 2007; Texas Libraries Public Relations Branding Iron "Best of Show" Award. , April 2008; Teacher of the Year (Travis Vanguard), 2006.
Accomplishments
Co-Chair, Texas Teens 4 Libraries/2008-2009 (all-day event at the 2009 Texas Library Association Annual Conference, planned to involve teens in the conference and the profession); Presentation to the Texas House Select Committee on Higher and Public Education Finance/February 2008 (testified with school technologist and two middle school students about the critical importance of continued sponsorship of K-12 databases for public schools); Presenter, Texas Library Association/2006 ("The Role of the School Librarian"); Staff development instructor for district librarians/2004--present ; Advisory Committee, Alternative Certification for School Librarians program /2005--present (AC program administered by Dallas Independent School District and Texas Woman's University); Facilitator, National Educational Computing Conference technology playground/June 2008; Grant writer/2004--present (recipient of Grants for Innovative Teaching to fund lunchtime book clubs and Technology Night on campus); New Librarian Mentor/2003 -- present (monthly meetings and semi-annual observations to support new district librarians).
Statement
A 2008 survey, commissioned by the Texas Library Association, found that Texas voters perceive school libraries to be almost as important to education as the classroom, affirming that school libraries play a critical role in student achievement (http://www.txla.org/html/pr/survey.html) The survey confirms what library media specialists already know-- that we have the capacity to be a key leader on the school's educational team. However, budget woes, inequities, and lack of support often compromise our ability to meet effectively our 21st-century learners' needs. Seeking to use the skills I've developed as a librarian leader, I want to help address the tough professional issues that face AASL members today. Wanting to be a voice for the importance of school librarians on every campus as they promote the skills needed to thrive in a 21st-century world, I offer my commitment to work diligently and enthusiastically for our profession.
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