ALA/AASL Election – Region 4 Director

By Susi Grissom on 03/18/2015 • ( 1 )

The 2015 ALA/AASL Election is quickly approaching. As many were not able to attend the AASL Candidates Forum at Midwinter, we wanted to use this public forum as an opportunity to introduce the candidates running for AASL offices. Each candidate was given the opportunity to respond to this question: If elected, what will you do to advance AASL’s new mission to empower leaders to transform teaching and learning? Read their responses and vote beginning March 24.

Heather Moorefield-Lang, Candidate for Region 4 Director
Pamela Renfrow, Candidate for Region 4 Director

Today we hear from:

Heather Moorefield-Lang, Candidate for Region 4 Director
Hello my name is Heather Moorefield-Lang and I have written this blog post to ask for your vote as Region Four Director-Elect.

A little background. I started my career as a middle school theater teacher and middle school librarian in NC. Later after receiving my doctorate in education I took on the position of Education Librarian at Virginia Tech and then recently Assistant Professor for the School of Library and Information Science at USC. I have served on committees at the state and national level and have been involved with AASL since 2008, my first committee being the AASL Best Websites for Teaching and Learning Committee, a group I now chair. My time with AASL has been incredibly rewarding and I know that serving as the Region Four Director would take me that much further in my work with this incredible association.

If elected, what will you do to advance AASL’s new mission to empower leaders to transform teaching and learning?

According to AASL Policy, the office of Regional Director: “Represents the interests of the AASL Members-At-Large, as well as those members within his/her region. The Regional Director serves as a communication channel between the AASL Board and the membership.”

This position description is incredibly exciting but I am going to focus on the second section: The second part says the Director: “serves as a communication channel between the AASL Board and the membership:” This is of the utmost importance especially in the areas of teaching and learning. If elected I will work to increase communication between the Region Four Director’s designated regions, the librarians in those regions, AASL, and the affiliate assembly. In general open lines of communication are the key and I want to aid in that endeavor.

Pamela Renfrow, Candidate for Region 4 Director
I have worked 25 years in public and private education serving as a librarian in elementary, middle and high schools. I currently work at St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School in Memphis as a “Cybrarian.”

The job description of the school librarian is ever changing, yet the leadership role of the profession is constant. It is imperative that the librarian be an advocate for libraries and a leader in the school. Cultivating the learning environment and forming collaborative partnerships are essential for success.

Although the “tools” we use have changed drastically in 25 years, and at times we feel overwhelmed with the evolving dynamics of the library concept, we must embrace our leadership role and retain our focus. No matter the current trend or ideology, our focus should always remain on our students and equipping them for their future.

As Director, I will listen to the issues and day to day challenges that each of you face and let your concerns be my guide in board level decisions. I would keep you informed of AASL initiatives and programs designed to empower you as leaders in transforming teaching and learning.

My experience as a librarian at all grade levels, urban and rural, in public and private schools in three states in Region IV, positions me to serve with a common understanding of your needs.

I would be honored to serve and represent AASL members in Region IV as Director.