WLMA ELECTIONS

June 2008

We have an online voting process for the first time, using Thriva/EventRegister, which will also be our new online membership and conference registration tool. This online voting process is the first step toward online membership registration this fall, so you will be asked to create an account login and password during the election process. This is both to identify yourself as a WLMA member eligible to vote and to create an account you will use to register your membership online this fall, so please save your login information.

Slate of Officers Nominated for 2008 Election

There is a slate of officers nominated, one per office, per Article 10 in the WLMA Bylaws. For more information about each candidate, click on their name:

President-elect: Linda King

Secretary: Steve Coker

Vice President (assuming the 2nd year for Linda King): Gary Simundson

Senior-level Chair-elect: Roz Thompson

Middle-level Chair-elect: Leigh Lohrasbi

Elementary-level Chair-elect: Kathy Kalich

President-elect - Linda King

Wo! When I introduced myself a year ago as a nominee for WLMA Vice President, I stated that I was looking “forward to gaining knowledge and making new real life connections as vice president.” I also wanted to help regions make the “WLMA connection.” And what a year it has been!

The learning curve was steep, with the Three Moms leading the effort resulting in state legislative action, service on the WLMA executive board and making connections with regions across the state. Certainly knowledge has been gained (along with the realization that there is so much more to learn) and many valued connections have been made (I have officially met several of you and many more of you have shared great ideas, sincere concerns and innovative programs). Emails flew thick and fast as legislative action was needed, information was shared and reports from WLMA were sent to regions.

I continue to be impressed with the knowledge and professionalism of our state organization as it advocates for teacher-librarians and strong school library media programs, provides support and information to regions and individuals, recognizes the importance of a “hand up” with scholarships and gives recognition to dedicated library professionals and supporters. And I continue to be impressed with all of us – the people who are WLMA – working in the trenches every day, offering collaborative services to classroom teachers and staff, researching Classroom Based Assessments, providing pathfinders and instruction, managing relevant collections with limited dollars, creating inviting environments and fixing everything from damaged overhead rolls to printers that won’t print and computers that do not behave properly. All that and we still actively promote literacy, celebrating when a student finds reading material that “speaks to them” and helping a teacher select the “just right” read aloud for a classroom.

So. . .now I expect to “up the ante” on my learning curve as your nominee for president elect of WLMA. I look forward to new and continuing interaction with all of you, to facing as yet unknown challenges, to representing you on the WLMA executive board and to working with you on the WLMA conference in 2009.

Secretary - Steve Coker

I am entering my seventeenth year in education and my second year as Teacher-Librarian and District Technology Coordinator at Rainier High School in Rainier, Washington. In 2006 I completed my Masters in Library and Information Science at the University of Washington’s Information School after having “evolved” into a Teacher-Librarian after years teaching English, Social Studies, Spanish and technology in public and private schools. I look forward to the opportunity to serve as Secretary to the Executive Board as a means to serve my colleagues, learn more about the organization and—most importantly—contribute to WLMA’s advocacy efforts in the coming years. Additionally, as a relatively recently minted Teacher-Librarian, I feel I can bring fresh energy, perspective and ideas to the Executive Board and WLMA as a whole.

Vice President - Gary Simundson

I have been the Teacher-Librarian at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington (the “other” Vancouver) for the past nine years. Prior to that I taught third and fourth grades and spent a number of years in language arts curriculum and staff development. For three years I chaired the WLMA Columbia Gorge region and have just completed a year as Senior Levels Chair on the WLMA executive board.

I believe that connecting Teacher-Librarians to each other is the most powerful aspect of WLMA. As members work together to set high professional standards, they increase their ability to make a real difference in the lives of their students. As vice-president I will represent and support our regional leaders. I feel strongly that these dedicated individuals are the heart of our organization. I will be their voice on the executive board.

Senior-level Chair-elect - Roz Thompson

For the past four years, I have been a Teacher-Librarian in the Tumwater School District. I am currently at Tumwater High School but I also enjoyed one and a half years at East Olympia Elementary. Prior to working in the library, I taught English, Math and Social Studies at the high school level in our district. As an English teacher, I enjoyed working with students on their research projects and collaborating with my junior block teachers. This, combined with a love of reading, led me to pursue a career in the library. I also realized that I was destined to become a librarian when my mom brought me some of my childhood books and on the inside cover I saw that I had created my own check out cards when I was young.

I am looking forward to being a board member of WLMA because I enjoy collaborating with and learning from others. Getting involved with library advocacy this past legislative session connected me to other Teacher-Librarians across the state. I hope to strengthen those connections and our communication about the importance of libraries with the hope that library funding can become a part of basic education funding in Washington State.

Middle-level Chair-elect - Leigh Lohrasbi

I am starting my third year as teacher librarian at Lewis and Clark Middle School in Yakima, WA. I previously worked in elementary school libraries, for 12 years before making the change to middle school. Being a teacher-librarian was my career choice as a teenager. I recognized the library as a place where one could truly be a lifelong learner, always growing and improving. I wanted to provide service for students, empowering them, helping them realize their dreams. I firmly believe that the library should be a place where there are no limits for student accomplishment, regardless of student background - cultural, financial or academic. With empowerment, understanding and service as my core values in my job as a teacher librarian, I look forward to every day, working and serving my students and staff. Having worked on National Board Certification this year, I’ve benefited from the challenge, opening new doors with my staff, encouraging collaboration.

I like to hike, practice karate, cross-country ski, exercise, and travel with my family, work in my yard and of course, read.

The main reason I have for volunteering to serve as Middle-School Chair is to contribute to and learn from this amazing organization. Washington Library Media Association has provided so many opportunities to learn and grow for all teacher librarians in the state. I look forward to serving as a member of the Washington Library Media Association Board.

Elementary-level Chair-elect - Kathy Kalich

At Wilson Elementary School (Spokane) I teach twelve K-6th grade classes during a half-time schedule. My children are five and four years old, so I choose to teach part-time. For two years I taught 2nd and 3rd graders in Enumclaw and for twelve years I've taught K-6th graders in Spokane and Central Valley school libraries.

On behalf of colleagues in eastern Washington I've served on two district social studies and reading committees, have organized CBA trainings, and twice co-chaired Northeast Seven. On behalf of colleagues state-wide I've helped the 3 Spokane Moms advocate for increased school library funding since last winter and have created social studies CBA pathfinders to share.

What will I do for you on the Exec. Board? I will continue to advocate for school libraries with legislators and others, continue to serve on the WLMA social studies CBA committee, help organize the 2011 conference in Spokane and begin to learn the duties of Elementary Chair.