Laura Brotherton
St Louis,MO
Summary
Experienced and dedicated Library Media Specialist with 23 years in education, passionate about fostering academic success among students of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Known for being outgoing, reliable, and highly collaborative, with a flexible approach to supporting diverse learning needs. Committed to promoting a lifelong love of reading, research, and learning across all grade levels.
A skilled and student-focused librarian with a deep understanding of classroom strategies and library standards. Adept at partnering with teachers, administrators, and students to enhance educational outcomes. Brings strong expertise in integrating media tools, instructional materials, and research processes to support curriculum and inquiry-based learning.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Library Media Specialist
Riverview Gardens School District
06.2023 - Current
- Instructed students and staff in research processes and understanding copyright, fair use and licensing of intellectual property.
- Executed yearly budgets to purchase library books and supplies, and developed and implemented STEAM related materials to expand the library's instructional resources.
- Spearheaded the full renovation of the library, creating a modern, student-centered learning environment.
- Updated the library collection by enhancing the quality and relevance by phasing out books, raising the average from 2002 to 2011 in two years.
- Implemented and facilitated the Accelerated Reader program, aligning it with school-wide literacy goals.
- Repaired or replaced damaged books to maintain continuity of service for scholars.
- Oversaw deployment, maintenance, and support of student Chromebooks.
- Developed and maintained collection of resources appropriate to curriculum.
- Updated library collection to include multicultural titles to fit student population.
- Encouraged reading, information literacy skills and information resources through reading programs.
- Maintained relevant, organized and correctly catalogued library and technology collection based on careful analysis of student needs.
- Motivated students to use instructional technology to promote achievement of learning objectives.
- Collaborated with teachers by scheduling library activities and procuring resources.
Assistant to the Library/Technology Specialist
Clayton School District
08.2008 - Current
- Student and Teacher Assistant
- Classroom Substitute
- Student Supervisor
- Professional Development
- Lesson Plan/Project Based Learning
- Resource/ Technology Development
1st Grade Teacher/School Librarian
Tower Grove Christian Academy
08.2004 - 08.2008
- 1st Grade Teacher
- Speech and Debate Teacher
- Computer Teacher
- Librarian/Children's Literacy Development
1st Grade Teacher/ 3rd Grade Teacher
Union R-X1 School District
08.1995 - 08.2001
- 1st Grade Teacher
- 3rd Grade Teacher
- Science Curriculum Coordinator
- MAP Testing Development Committee
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education 1-8
Harris Stowe State University
St Louis, MO05.1985
Masters - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS08.1998
Graduate Certificate - Library And Information Science
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO08.2023
Graduate Certificate - Library Media Specialist
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO08.2023
Skills
- Well-versed in Follett Destiny for collection management, resource tracking, and reporting
- Trained in PLTW
- LETRS Program completed
- UFLI trained
- Effective classroom management
- Flexible problem-solving
- Collaborative teamwork ability
- Proactive patience
- Effective problem resolution
- Experienced in digital tools usage
- Proficient in collaborative projects
- Instructional design and planning
- Balanced perspective provider
- Reliable performance
- Consistently dependable
- Driven professional
- Strategic collection curation
- Creative problem-solving techniques
- Social media engagement
- Detailed documentation management
- Research sources
- Visionary creative guidance
- Ongoing optimization
- Collaborative teamwork
- Strong organizational abilities
- Facilitating group instruction
- Comprehensive literacy improvement
- Proficient in digital tools
- Management of audio-visual resources
- Critical reasoning skills
- Digital media engagement
Timeline
Library Media Specialist
Riverview Gardens School District
06.2023 - Current
Assistant to the Library/Technology Specialist
Clayton School District
08.2008 - Current
1st Grade Teacher/School Librarian
Tower Grove Christian Academy
08.2004 - 08.2008
1st Grade Teacher/ 3rd Grade Teacher
Union R-X1 School District
08.1995 - 08.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education 1-8
Harris Stowe State University
Masters - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Southern Mississippi
Graduate Certificate - Library And Information Science
Missouri State University
Graduate Certificate - Library Media Specialist
University of Central Missouri
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