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NC SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA ASSOCIATION




Meet the Board

Leadership Directory


President



Jennifer Abel

jenniferabel@ncslma.org

Jen Abel started as a media assistant in 2003 at Flat Rock Middle School before earning her MLS from ECU in 2008.  She worked as a media assistant at East Henderson High School until 2011 when she became the media coordinator at North Henderson High School. In 2017, she earned her ITF certification from ECU. When not working at North Henderson High School and for NCSLMA as the treasurer, Jen stays busy with her three sons. 





Jennifer Abel

President-Elect


Kristy Sartain

kristysartain@ncslma.org 

Kristy Sartain is a North Carolina native and has lived all over the state, from the mountains to the coast. She earned her BA from UNC-Charlotte and her MLS from ECU (We are the Pirates of ECU!). She has two kids - a sophomore in high school and a freshman in college. Her favorite genres are Fantasy, SciFi, and Dystopian, but she'll read almost anything if it's a good story. Her claim to fame is that Neil Gaiman once retweeted one of her tweets. She has wanted to be a librarian since she was in 2nd grade and firmly believes that it is the absolute best job in the world. 




Past President

Jenny Umbarger

Jennyumbarger@ncslma.org 

Jenny Umbarger is the librarian at Rogers-Herr Middle School in Durham, and currently serves as the Middle School Cohort Media Lead for Durham Public Schools. She earned her BA in Middle Grades Education (Social Studies & Science) from UNC-Chapel Hill and her MLS from North Carolina Central University. She earned National Board She has served on the NCSLMA Board as Secretary, Archives Chair, AASL Standards Chair, Marketing Director, and President. She completed the School Library Supervisor certification in 2016 and is a Lilead Fellow (2017-2018 Cohort).


Jenny Umbarger

Treasurer (Appointed)


Jennifer Milton

Jennifermilton@ncslma.org

Jennifer Milton is the SparkLab Leader for Cumberland County Schools and has been an educator for 16 years, serving
as a school librarian, public library youth services manager, STEM coach, and instructional technology facilitator. She
holds a B.S. in Information Technology and a B.A. in Political Science, as well as master’s degrees in Library Science and Instructional Technology. Her specialties include collection development, makerspaces, digital citizenship, website development, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, engineering design and computational thinking. When she isn’t working, 
Jennifer enjoys reading, video games, building and playing with her large collection of LEGO and board games, spending time with her family, and cuddling with her three rescue dogs.

Secretary

Scott Summers

scottsummers@ncslma.org

Scott Summers is the Assistant Director of the Media and Education Technology Resource Center (METRC) in the College of Education at NC State University. Prior to this role, he was an English teacher and school librarian at Apex High School in the Wake County Public School System. He earned his BA in English from Michigan State University and his MLIS from UNCG. Scott enjoys helping educators transform their teaching with technology and connecting readers with books they will enjoy. When he isn't working, you can find Scott playing with his two year old daughter, preparing for the March arrival of his son, crushing the leaderboard on Peloton, and tracking his favorite reads/providing his hot takes on Twitter @RealMrSummers.


Lead Regional Director


Lori Munroe

lorimunroe@ncslma.org 

I currently work as the librarian at Wake Forest  Middle School in Wake  County where I have been for the past twelve years. Before coming to Wake County, I worked in Hinesville, Georgia as a high school English teacher.   I earned my MLS at ECU in 2011, and I have been a National Board Certified Teacher since 2012.  I was a part of the 2020-21 leadership cohort.  


Region 1

Meredith Hill

meredithhill@ncslma.org

After completing six years as a reading specialist and eleven as a school library media coordinator, I am beginning my fourth year as the District Media Specialist for Pitt County Schools. I served as the inaugural Intellectual Freedom chair for NCSLMA, was the 2015 NCSLMA Media Coordinator of the Year, and served on the ECU MLS Advisory Board. Providing professional opportunities for media coordinators to grow, advocating for students' right to read, and creating a safe space for all students in the media center are some of my passions.


Region 2


Sara Levin

saralevin@ncslma.org 

Sara Levin is going on her 16th year as a Media Coordinator and 19th year as a librarian. A graduate of the ECU MLS Program, Sara has presented curriculum, collection development, robotics, and grant writing sessions at NCSLMA, NCTIES, and the Joyner Library L2L Networking Summit. Sara is the Media Coordinator at Kinston High School and currently serves as a HBOB Committee member for Region 2 and is a member of the 2021 NCSLMA Leadership Academy. She believes that collaboration is the key to an effective learning environment and loves teaching research skills. In her spare time, she enjoys puzzles, reading (of course!), hanging with her family, and snuggling cats.  



Region 3

Chris Tuttell

christuttell@ncslma.org

I am excited to serve as the NCSLMA Region 3 Director for 2023 & 2024. I began my educational career in 2000 as an elementary school teacher. In 2012, I obtained my MLS at North Carolina Central University and I have served as both an elementary and high school librarian. In 2016, I completed my course work at East Carolina University in Instructional Technology and I became a NBCT librarian in 2021. I have worked for the Wake County Public School System since 2007 and I am currently a librarian at South Garner High School. 

I have two goals for the 2023 school year:

  • Understand the needs of the Region 3 librarians and build a program of support to meet those needs
  • Grow the NCSLMA Membership in Region 3

Region 4

B.J. Johnson

bjjohnson@ncslma.org

I have been an elementary media coordinator for 20 years and have coached a Battle of the Books Team for most of those years. I am National Board Certified and in addition to the required master’s degree for librarians, I hold a master’s degree in Educational Technology. Prior to becoming a librarian, I taught vocational education courses to Cumberland County high school students. I entered the CCS system as a bookkeeper and transitioned to teaching from there. As a librarian, my goal is to create a love of reading and books for all students and encourage them to explore reading for enjoyment as well as reading for informational purposes.


Region 5

Amy Ralph

amyralph@ncslma.org

My name is Amy Ralph and I have been an educator for thirteen years. I am currently in my eighth  year as a media specialist in Lexington City Schools.  I have a strong passion for teaching both students and teachers. One of my greatest strengths is providing and planning professional development for educators. Over the last 7 years I have provided a monthly professional development for my staff at the school level. I have also presented at our district’s beginning on the year professional development every year. I have helped educators grow using their own expertise by presenting  and or organizing  Edcamps at the district, state, and national levels. I have presented at nErDcampMI three times, assisted my district in planning our own Edcamp, and I am the primary organizer and a co-founder of @nErDcampNC.  I love participating in NCSLMA events. I have presented  at the NCSLMA annual conference five times and I was a state expert during the first year of the mentor/mentee program.  Currently I am on the professional development team at the district level. I am also a member of the district technology team (I3 team). I have a passion for our profession and believe that we play a major role in supporting the students and educators in our state. 



Region 6

Robin Williams

robinwilliams@ncslma.org

Hi! I'm Robin Williams the new Region 6 Director. I have been in school libraries since 2006 in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School district. I started my career in middle schools for nine years and have spent the last eight in high schools - I've been at East Mecklenburg High School since 2019. As an MLS graduate of UNCG, I am passionate about kids finding a home in my library where they feel safe and welcome. I am the coach of our High School BOB team (district champs 2022), I advise a small makerclub, the senior class board and teach a help desk class at my school.  I have presented at the state level on Makerspaces, Utilizing student helpers in the library, Inquiry in the library, Social Media in the library and I am a National Board Certified Teacher.  When not at school I'm running around after my two teenage boys, my scout leader husband or one of my five pets. I also enjoy reading, cooking/baking and crocheting.  I can't wait to learn and grow with and from the amazing folks in region 6! 

Region 7

Co-Directors: Kecia Hopper and Vanessa Lail

keciahopper@ncslma.org

I am Kecia Hopper.  I began teaching middle school language arts after a career as an Army officer.  I have been an elementary school librarian since 2013.  I have been in my current position with Hickory City Schools for the past six years. 

I have presented twice at the NCSLMA conference and in 2017 earned a Roundtable on Ethnic and Minority Concerns (REMCO) award from the North Carolina Library Association for improving services and promoting positive images for minority students at the elementary level. I have a bachelor’s degree in communications from Clark Atlanta University and a master’s degree in library science from Appalachian  State University. 

I am married and have one beautiful daughter.  My favorite book changes daily, today it is Ban this book by Alan Gratz.


vanessalail@ncslma.org

Originally from The Mountain State, West Virginia, I moved to North Carolina in 1999 when I accepted a position at Grandview Middle School in Hickory, NC. I earned my MLS from Appalachian State University in 2009 and became Grandview’s SLMC in 2014. During my time in the classroom at Grandview I taught Language Arts and Science, and I still love fusing those two subjects today in the media center.

I have presented at NCTIES & NCSLMA on topics such as “Tech on a Shoestring”, “Mathemagical Books for Middle  School Readers”, and more. I have enjoyed enriching professional activities such as NCSLMA Emerging Leaders, NCDLCN, assisting with edCamp StemWest, and working as a National Board Scoring Director. A strength of my  practice has been “making do” with limited resources, along with using grant funds, DonorsChoose, and other fundraising  to enrich my program with new materials.

My favorite authors include Marissa Meyer and Isaac Asimov. I enjoy hiking, camping with my husband, training my Australian Shepherd-Golden Retriever puppy, home canning and baking, and stereotypically curling up with my cats and a good book. I look forward to meeting, supporting, and collaborating with my Region 7 colleagues!


Region 8

Maggie Skroski

maggieskroski@ncslma.org

My name is Maggie Skroski and I have lived in Asheville, NC for about 30 years. I hail from Logan, Utah, started my career teaching high school - mostly with The Department of Defense Dependent Schools, laid out to raise six kids, went back to get my MLS degree, and after a fabulous stint at a high school library I have the dream job I never knew I wanted in an elementary school library.  I'm very excited to work with REGION 8!


Region 9

Holly Christensen

hollychristensen@ncslma.org

I am thrilled to represent Region 9 and excited to help showcase the amazing libraries, librarians, and media coordinators in the private and independent schools across North Carolina. Coming from the corporate world and then the classroom, I found my calling in a little school library. It is a joy to go to school everyday where I get to talk about books, help develop readers and thinkers, and create opportunities for learning, growth, and adventure. I am in my fifth year in the Library at St. Pius X Catholic school, where I also coach the Middle School and Elementary BOB teams and implement STEM integration in our classrooms. 


Appointed Directors:

AASL Delegates

Laura Aldridge

lauraaldridge@ncslma.org 

Laura Aldridge is the school librarian at Durant Road Middle School in Raleigh. She earned her Master's in Library Science through North Carolina Central University in 2014 and participated in cohort 2 of NCSLMA's Emerging Leaders in 2017.  Previously, she worked with literacy non-profits and Wake County Public Library.  Her favorite part of her job is to build a more inclusive space for students and their learning.  When not working, she loves reading, eating Mexican food, and listening to podcasts. 

Sarah Justice 

sarahjustice@ncslma.org 

Sarah Justice is the media specialist at Rosman Middle and High Schools in Transylvania County, NC. She was the 2016 North Carolina School Library Media Association Media Coordinator of the Year. Mrs. Justice has worked her way across the state of North Carolina in pursuit of her education. She received her undergrad from Appalachian State University, MLIS from University of North Carolina Greensboro, and her MAEd IT from East Carolina University. Her passions include reading young adult literature and stalking authors—all to make her a better media specialist since she has to know what to recommend to the students, right? You can follow her adventures on Twitter at @sarahpjustice Facebook @rosmanmedia and Instagram @rosmanmedia


Advancement


Faith Huff

faithhuff@ncslma.org

I've been a middle school educator since 2005 and a school librarian since 2016. I'm a graduate of UNCG with a degree in Middle Grades Education (2005) and MLIS (2019) and Elon University with an M. Ed in Gifted Education (2009). I'm the current school library media specialist at York Chester Middle School in Gastonia, NC. I've also previously worked on the Advocacy Committee at NCSLMA as the Legislative Chair. When I'm not reading or making TikToks that make my students call me "cringey" I'm cuddling with my dogs and serving as the Director of Music at First UMC Maiden. Please find me on all the social medias @teachinaTARDIS. 



Advocacy & Governance


Lucy Wilcox
lucywilcox@ncslma.org

I have been the librarian at New Hanover High School in Wilmington for the past two years, having spent the first 10 years of my library career at the elementary school level. I am a graduate of ECU's MLS program, and I also hold a Master's Degree in English from UNCG. I am a National Board certified teacher and a strong advocate for librarians to earn their certification! When I can find some free time, I love reading (duh) and walking (on the beach, in the park, with the fam, with the dog, on my own -- whatever -- gotta move the legs!). I was a member of the 2020 Leadership Academy, where I met some of the coolest librarians ever!



Awards, Grants, & Scholarships


Leslie Pope

lesliepope@ncslma.org

Leslie is a native of Raleigh, NC who has served as a classroom teacher, Instructional Coach, Media Coordinator, and for the last four years, a District ITF. She earned a BSW from UNC Wilmington and an MLS and ITF add-on from Appalachian State University. She is also a Google For Education Certified Trainer, NCBOLD Ambassador, and an advisor for both the NC Coaching & SLMC Collaboratives. When she's not being a chauffeur for her 15-year-old triplets, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with her rescue pugs. 


Book Programs


Stacy Hersey

stacyhersey@ncslma.org

My name is Stacy Hersey and I am the media coordinator at Northeast Elementary in Pikeville, NC.  This is my tenth year in the media center and in my former life I was a fourth grade teacher.  I love the digital aspects of my job and love learning new programs and ways to enhance the tech skills of both my students and staff.  I've been a part of EBOB since I was in the classroom and I've been a part of the state committee since 2015.  I look forward to continuing to be involved with BOB since I truly believe it's a great program.  


Conference

Heath Radford

heathradford@ncslma.org

Heath Radford has served as a media coordinator for over five years, where he has worked in the Wayne County Public School system.
He currently resides at Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina. 
At his school, he also serves as the Beginning Teacher Coordinator. He was part of the 2022 NCSLMA Leadership Academy and has presented the NCSLMA Conference. Heath is also the current Executive Secretary of the Wayne County Historical Association in Wayne County, North Carolina.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Vacant


Technology -- Website

VACANT

Contact President-Elect Kristy Sartain with questions: kristysartain@ncslma.org

Technology - Social Media

Alicia Luke

alicialuke@ncslma.org 

Alicia Luke has been the librarian at AC Reynolds Middle School since February of 2016. Prior to joining the ACRMS team, she earned her B.A. in History from the University of Northern Iowa and then her Master’s in Library and Information Studies at UNCG. Her favorite parts of being a school librarian are working with students on research and helping students find a book they will love. She has presented at the NCSLMA Conference every year since getting her own library and has enjoyed becoming a part of NCSLMA leadership and working with librarians across the state. In her free time she loves exploring around Asheville and going on adventures with her husband Greg and dog Magnus, who is the best doggo ever.

Technology - G-Suites

Jenny Umbarger

Jennyumbarger@ncslma.org 

Jenny Umbarger is the librarian at Rogers-Herr Middle School in Durham, and currently serves as the Middle School Cohort Media Lead for Durham Public Schools. She earned her BA in Middle Grades Education (Social Studies & Science) from UNC-Chapel Hill and her MLS from North Carolina Central University. She earned National Board She has served on the NCSLMA Board as Secretary, Archives Chair, AASL Standards Chair, Marketing Director, and President. She completed the School Library Supervisor certification in 2016 and is a Lilead Fellow (2017-2018 Cohort).


Jenny Umbarger


    Technology -- Membership Services

    Brene Duggins

    breneduggins@ncslma.org

    Brene Duggins is the Media Coordinator at Oak Grove High School in Davidson County. She earned her BA in Middle Grades Education (Math and Social Studies) from UNC-Charlotte and her MLS from East Carolina University. She has served on the NCSLMA Board as Awards Chair, Communications Chair, Membership Director, and President. She has also served on the AASL Board and was Chair of the AASL Affiliate Assembly. She is currently in the School Library Supervisor program at UNCG. She is a self-proclaimed Techno-Nerd, Book Lover and is Ms. D of "Ms. D's Virtual PD" an online Professional Development website. 



      NC DPI Representative


      Kathy Parker

      kathy.parker@dpi.nc.gov

      I was "called" to the education profession beginning as a high school English teacher, becoming an elementary then high school SLMC, and transitioning to the Department of Public Instruction. My expertise in school library media derives from my UNCG MLIS, National Board Certification, the many amazing SLMCs that I learn from daily, and my students. I am passionate about and committed to NC's school libraries! They make our children's lives better!

      Kathy Parker





      ABOUT US

      NCSLMA is a professional organization dedicated to supporting, promoting, and empowering school librarians across the state as they transform their school communities.

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      Membership is $50 per year and comes with numerous benefits and professional development opportunities. 
      Join or learn more here. 

      CONTACT US

      Mailing address:
      151 NC Highway 9 Suite B #188
      Black Mountain, NC 28711

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