Rosetta G. Le receives AASL Distinguished School Administrator Award

CHICAGO – Rosetta G. Le, Principal at Suncrest Elementary School, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Distinguished School Administrator Award. Sponsored by ProQuest, part of Clarivate, the $2,000 award recognizes and honors a school administrator who has made worthy contributions to the operations of exemplary school libraries and to advancing the role of the school library in the educational program.

Charlotte Chung, school librarian, and nominator shared with the committee “Rosetta is a model for other school administrators in West Virginia and beyond. She has demonstrated how a successful school library program can be developed in a short time frame when you have a school librarian who collaborates and is supported by an innovative and dedicated administrator who understands the value of school library programs. It cannot be underscored enough how essential it is to the survival of our profession in West Virginia to have administrators like Rosetta who understand the power and necessity of a strong school library program.”

“The committee could see that Le’s commitment to the school library and school librarian was far-reaching,” said Committee Chair Jennifer Millikan. “From valuing Charlotte’s expertise as a school librarian, and supporting her professional growth, the school library and school librarian at Sunset Elementary are exponentially providing the tools and resources for student growth.  Not just approval, but encouragement for the school librarian to expand access to books through a public library inter-loan account, increase collaboration with classroom educators, welcome family, and community members into the library, and secure funding and support for an ever-increasing and diversified collection, this administrator and school librarian partnership is an exemplary model of what so many of us are trying to accomplish.”

In Le’s own words, “My educational philosophy has always been that students can achieve anything if given the proper tools and opportunities to succeed.  As an administrator, that philosophy now extends to teachers and staff.  I want all educators in my building, especially library media specialists, to be fully supported and have everything they need to succeed.  Literacy is the foundation of elementary learning, which makes the library the heart of the school.  That is why supporting the library is crucial.”  

“The application and deep understanding of the AASL Standards to increase student achievement by both Charlotte and Rosetta speaks volumes,” said AASL President, Courtney Pentland.  Pentland notes, “Their commitment to see the school library as not a room, but the heart of the school where inquiry and collaboration among learners is expected, where students research, formulate new ideas, ask questions, and make real-world connections for the good of society not only makes a difference in countless learners' lives but lead those same learners to be engaged citizens who are critical thinkers and life-long learners. In Charlotte’s own words, ‘Students mustn't think of the library as just a place where books are kept. Instead, they must realize the potential it provides to curate, explore, and engage in new learning opportunities.’ Congratulations to Rosetta Le for recognizing that the true winners of her work and dedication are her colleagues and learners.”

The AASL award winners will be recognized during the 2025 AASL National Conference taking place October 16-19 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

Clarivate™ is home to trusted education and library solutions ProQuest™, Ex Libris™ and Innovative™.  Working with the education community, we empower schools and libraries to drive positive student outcomes – preparing students for their future success – by connecting vetted content, deep expertise and responsible innovation. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.