NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – March 23, 2021
Contact: Delia A. Taylor, APR at 225-931-0286 or taylormedia11@gmail.com, Superintendent Joe Murphy at 225-686-7044 or alan.murphy@lpsb.org, or Humans Resources Director Bruce Chaffin at 225-686-7044 or bruce.chaffin@lpsb.org.
Livingston Parish Librarian Named
2021 National School Librarian of the Year
Amanda Jones Recognized for Innovative Work
LIVINGSTON, La. – Amanda Jones, a teacher-librarian at Live Oak Middle School, has been named one of the 2021 School Librarians of the Year by School Library Journal (SLJ) the premier publication for librarians and information specialists who work with children and teens, and Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company.
The award recognizes K–12 library professionals for outstanding achievement and the exemplary use of technology and services to engage children and teens toward fostering multiple literacies. The recognition proved especially important over the past year as librarians nationwide stepped up to support students, families, and educators who have had to manage distance learning during the COVID pandemic.
For the first time in the award’s history, the top designation was awarded to two recipients. Jones shares the national distinction with a school librarian in Molokai, Hawaii.
“Exemplars of the profession, the 2021 School Librarians of the Year are particularly inspiring for their innovative work supporting student learning in such a challenging year,” said SLJ Editor-in-Chief Kathy Ishizuka, who noted that both winners are featured in the April 2021 issue of the national publication.
The SLJ feature article highlighting Jones’ accomplishments is titled “Journeying with Jones.” It tells how Jones created the “Journey with Jones” program in March 2020 to connect with her students who had stopped coming to school in-person because of the COVID pandemic. The program allowed Jones to escort her students on virtual trips.
Jones started with the Palace of Versailles in France. Wearing a beret, she took about 100 students to Parish, via Zoom, Google slides and Virtual Reality – a technology she had learned to master for the occasion.
“I just wanted them to have an escape when stuck at home,” she said.
It was that spirit, attitude, and ability to keep students feeling like part of a community during a pandemic that earned Jones the judges’ recognition.
The live-streamed events created by Jones have allowed her students to virtually travel with her to a variety of locations around the world, learning about those communities and cultures that are different than their own. And to add a little pizazz to the occasion, Jones keeps an indoor beehive and collection of Madagascar hissing cockroaches for special effects!
Other special literacy initiatives Jones has created for her students include a Battle of the Books competition that has gown to 10 schools district-wide; the 40 Book Challenge; and the MESH Society (media literacy, ethics, sociology, and history), in which students read titles across these categories.
“School librarians have one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, with the ability to reach every child in the school. We help our students discover the perfect books, provide a safe space, and ignite creativity,” Jones said. “Thank you to the countless school librarians who have helped me learn and grow over the course of my career. Receiving this honorable award is beyond anything I ever expected, and I aim to use this platform to spread awareness at the district, state, and national levels on the importance of having a certified school librarian in each school.”
Jones has more than 20 years of experience as an educator. She has received a variety of honors and awards for her work, including the 2020 Louisiana School Librarian of the Year, Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE) State Middle School Teacher of the Year, the James O. Modisette Award for top middle school libraries in Louisiana, and two national awards from the American Association of School Librarians: 2019 Social Media Superstar Program Pioneer and the 2019 AASL Inspire Special Event Grant.
As a 2021 School Librarian of the Year Award winner, Jones will receive a suite of awards from Scholastic, including a $2,500 cash award and $2,500 in-kind digital and/or print products for her library, in addition to a visit from John Schumacher, the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs, who will gift one book to every student at Live Oak Middle School, and a Scholastic Book Fairs “Mr. Schu's Picks” collection of books for the school library.
Jones will be recognized by the Livingston Parish School Board at its April 22 meeting.
Link to School Library Journal feature on Amanda Jones –
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=journeying-with-jones-amanda-jones-2021-school-librarian-of-the-year-pandemic-COVID
Live Oak Middle School Teacher-Librarian Amanda Jones utilizes technology to share virtual visits with her students through a program she calls “Journeying with Jones.” Jones creates events where he students virtually travel with her to a variety of locations around the world, learning about those communities and cultures that are different than their own.