I am a dedicated professional and creative advocate for students, educators, and librarians. I have strong career goals that include continuing education; therefore, this section will not be static. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, ideas for collaboration, or professional feedback. Thank you.
Alexandra Bell
Objective
To work as an educator, scholar, and advocate in a position where I am dedicated to every student’s success.
Education and Training
Master of Library and Information Science and K-12 School Media Licensure January 2016-June 2017
Kent State University. GPA 4.0/4.0
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Magna Cum Laude. GPA 3.91/4.0
Formal Library and Information Science Experience
Children’s Librarian, Stark County District Library, Canton, OH. July 2017-present
Formal Teaching and Tutoring Experience
Center Director, Sylvan Learning Center, Twinsburg, OH. October 2016-July 2017
Professional Membership (since 2016)
American Library Association (ALA)
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT)
International Association of School Librarianship (IASL)
GLBT Historical Society
Conference and Event Attendance (since 2016)
2016 LGBTQ Research Symposium, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
2016 Church and Synagogue Library Association Conference, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2016 OELMA Conference, Hilton Polaris, Columbus, Ohio
2016 Marantz Picturebook Research Symposium, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2017 Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2017 Rethinking Race Keynote Event, “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People,” University of Akron, Akron, OH
2018 Mock Caldecott, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Service in Community and University Organizations
Administrative Assistant, ALSC’s Notable Children's Books Committee. January 2018-present
“SJYALit: More Social Justice Reading in Schools, a guest post by Alex B.”
Resident Advisor, Allen Hall, University of Illinois. August 2011-December 2012
and Boneyard Creek Community Day.
References
Dr. Meghan Harper, Associate Professor, Kent State University.
330-672-5849
sharper1@kent.edu
Mary Ann Nichols, Senior Lecturer, Kent State University.
330-672-0029
mnichol1@kent.edu
Dr. Marianne Martens, Assistant Professor, Kent State University, 1125 Risman Dr, Kent, OH 44243.
330-672-2782
mmarten3@kent.edu
Heather Swift, Librarian, Old Trail School.
330-666-1118, ext. 326
hswift@oldtrail.org
Alexandra Bell
Objective
To work as an educator, scholar, and advocate in a position where I am dedicated to every student’s success.
Education and Training
Master of Library and Information Science and K-12 School Media Licensure January 2016-June 2017
Kent State University. GPA 4.0/4.0
- Graduate Assistantship awarded for 2016-2017 academic year
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Magna Cum Laude. GPA 3.91/4.0
- Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society October 2012-present
- Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society October 2012-present
- James Honors Scholar August 2009-May 2013
- Dean’s List Recipient August 2009-May 2013
Formal Library and Information Science Experience
Children’s Librarian, Stark County District Library, Canton, OH. July 2017-present
- Across two locations, the Main Library and East Canton branch, I do the following: provide on-the-spot help to children, parents, and educators at the desks; plan and execute programs for children ages 0-14, including weekly baby/toddler, preschool, and school-age story times and monthly programs such as Lego Club, Pups and Pages, and special solo events; maintain the children’s department collection and make suggestions for purchase; teach elementary students from an adjacent school during their weekly library visits; collaborate with teachers and administrators for school outreach by creating and performing lessons in classes and afterschool programs, which are personalized to meet group size, school needs, and curriculum standards; provide educator services by curating materials to fill unit requests; find and attend professional trainings; and track and share statistics.
- Executed an Ask 10 experience for 1st graders with author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand, facilitated a book trailer unit with 5th graders for INFOhio’s Book Nook, co-taught lessons on note-taking and citing sources with 4th graders, performed a tall tale as a storyteller for 3rd graders during Frontier Day at Hale Farm, and created and presented a Pre-K story time on trees for the Little Readers program. Participated in various school and regional events, such as a Poetry Coffeehouse and a Connect Library Liaison Support meeting. Gained experience with cataloging, book repair, collection development, reference, volunteer organization, summer reading programs, advocacy, and other procedures. Shared my proactive and reflective attitude to promote hard work and happiness.
- Worked professionally, creatively, and efficiently on a variety of projects both independently and collaboratively. Created materials and helped plan and host the Church and Synagogue Library Association Conference and Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth. Volunteered at the Ohio Educational Library Media Association Conference and in the Reinberger Children’s Library Center. Participated on a successful Faculty Search Committee. Developed bibliographies and compiled resources for research and teaching on information literacy, career guidance, advising, e-portfolios, and more. Updated syllabi, Blackboard Learn, and a professional website. Created surveys, ran reports, and organized research data in Qualtrics and Google Drive.
Formal Teaching and Tutoring Experience
Center Director, Sylvan Learning Center, Twinsburg, OH. October 2016-July 2017
- Managed marketing, sales, outreach, and operations for the center; ran initial conferences and assessments; met monthly with families for ongoing conferences after administering progress assessments; and collaborated with students’ classroom teachers to enhance their programs. Also taught, proctored exams, and ran STEM camps.
- Cultivated and disseminated in-depth knowledge of all programs. Ran community education initiatives and outreach including Robotics, Math EDGE, and Bridge Building STEM classes, ACT/SAT diagnostic tests, and educational seminars such as Test Stress: A Parent’s Guide to College Planning and How To Be Your Family’s CEO: Chief Educational Officer; these were run at various elementary schools and public libraries in the region. Partnered with the Akron RubberDucks Education Day and the Cleveland-Akron Great Amazing Race. Paired families with programs to help student success and foster a positive, supportive educational environment for all. Work encouragingly and professionally with colleagues, new families, and current students.
- Taught pre-K to college students in math, reading, writing, and study skills. Used interactive iPad programs as well as workbook-based programs to facilitate student achievement. Responsible for marketing events, inquiry management, and center leadership team. During the spring, worked at Imagine Community School as a Title I tutor for a group of eight students to bring them to grade level. Differentiated instruction for a wide range of students, focusing on remediation and enrichment. Wrote detailed notes of lessons for each student.
- Taught one writing class and four reading classes, two of which were honors and one of which was co-taught. Organized guest visits to my classroom from a journalist, museum curator, and storyteller. Fulfilled additional duties such as breakfast and bus duty, field trip arrangements and supervision, and team and content meetings. Took three professional development classes while teaching: SmartBoard Training, Teachers as Writers, and UIUC course AFRO 498. Worked professionally with colleagues to develop curriculum and assessments. Member of the Close Reading Pre-AP Book Study District Group and Notice and Note District Book Club. Completed the Charlotte Danielson evaluation and earned proficient or distinguished levels in every domain.
Professional Membership (since 2016)
American Library Association (ALA)
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT)
International Association of School Librarianship (IASL)
GLBT Historical Society
Conference and Event Attendance (since 2016)
2016 LGBTQ Research Symposium, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL
2016 Church and Synagogue Library Association Conference, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2016 OELMA Conference, Hilton Polaris, Columbus, Ohio
2016 Marantz Picturebook Research Symposium, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2017 Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Youth, Kent State University, Kent, OH
2017 Rethinking Race Keynote Event, “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People,” University of Akron, Akron, OH
2018 Mock Caldecott, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Service in Community and University Organizations
Administrative Assistant, ALSC’s Notable Children's Books Committee. January 2018-present
- Piloting an appointed, non-voting position with assigned tasks: managing private committee documents, preparing public documents and presentations for digital and print publications, and communicating with ALSC members, committee members, and the ALSC awards coordinator to help produce the 2019 Notable Children's Books list.
- Review and score student entries as part of the contest to help select 6-10th grade winners and 11-12th grade scholarship recipients. Follow rubric scoring consistency and confidentiality guidelines.
- Elected to a one-year term on an inaugural board, working on creating and meeting goals to track and improve alumni communication, opportunities, and success, including an Alumnus of the Year Award and focus group.
- Serving a two-year term to determine and visualize center missions and promote events and volunteering.
- Wrote post, “Student Gift Membership Recipient – Alexandra Bell”
- Wrote posts, “#SJYALit: How does real life and research fit with LGBT young adult lit? A guest post by Alex B” “#SJYALit: LGBTQ+ YA lit in the 90s/00s versus now, a guest post by Alex B.”
“SJYALit: More Social Justice Reading in Schools, a guest post by Alex B.”
Resident Advisor, Allen Hall, University of Illinois. August 2011-December 2012
- Built and enhanced a community that fosters inclusivity, creativity, and personal, social, and academic growth.
and Boneyard Creek Community Day.
- Supported my community while educating myself on and giving back to local social and educational resources.
References
Dr. Meghan Harper, Associate Professor, Kent State University.
330-672-5849
sharper1@kent.edu
Mary Ann Nichols, Senior Lecturer, Kent State University.
330-672-0029
mnichol1@kent.edu
Dr. Marianne Martens, Assistant Professor, Kent State University, 1125 Risman Dr, Kent, OH 44243.
330-672-2782
mmarten3@kent.edu
Heather Swift, Librarian, Old Trail School.
330-666-1118, ext. 326
hswift@oldtrail.org
| bell_resume_february_2018.pdf |