Databases
Ms. Schmidt, Library Media Specialist
e-mail: [email protected] Facebook: Valley Regional HS LIbrary Media Center Twitter: @vrhscybrarian 860-526-5328 x2245 Ms. Schmidt's BioKristie Schmidt is in her eighteenth year at VRHS, her seventh as library media specialist. She teaches the IB Diploma Core course Theory of Knowledge. Ms. Schmidt also frequently coteaches with the Social Studies and English department members during research and writing projects, working closely with students to improve both information literacy and academic writing skills. Formerly an English teacher at Valley, she taught AP English Language and Composition, Creative Writing, Media, and English 12 for many years. She also taught English 9, Sports Lit and Detective Fiction electives. She currently offers feedback on college essays and resume writing. In addition to the traditional duties of a library media specialist, Ms. Schmidt serves as a writing consultant for the students and faculty of VRHS.
A twenty seven year teaching veteran, Ms. Schmidt has delivered professional development presentations at the CECA/CASL annual conference, on Disciplinary Literacy at CCSU, and within district on the CCSS, curriculum mapping, creating a wikispace or weebly, and using Edmodo, Facebook and Twitter for educational purposes. Ms.Schmidt is a UbD (Understanding by Design) turnkey trainer and has presented aspects of UbD to K-12 Region 4 district faculty and administrators multiple times. Ms.Schmidt is a member of the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Association of School Librarians (AASJ). A former advisor to the Voices of Valley newspaper, she is the coordinator of the staff/student Summer Reading Committee, and has served in the past on the Professional Development and Evaluation Committee. She co-facilitated a Critical Friends PLC group at the high school and was a member of the NEASC Steering Committee. Formerly the English department coordinator, Ms. Schmidt has taught elementary and middle school. Ms. Schmidt was a Fulbright Exchange teacher to England (Gosport) and is a graduate of Harvard University and Smith College. Ms. Schmidt lives with her cats, Yoda and Lucy, and is an accomplished flute player. She loves anything story related: TV, movies, musicals, and gardening. Her interests also include American Sign Language and travel. To date she has traveled to 18 countries, most recently to Portugal's the Azores. Ms. Schmidt writes primarily non-fiction personal essays and commentary and poetry. |
Our goal is to empower, via collaboration, students, staff, and VRHS community members to be informed decision-makers and proficient users of information technologies, and to inspire passion and desire for knowledge and lifelong reading.
Library Media Specialist: Ms. Kristie Schmidt Assistant: Ms. Verna O'Donnell Hours: Pandemic hours given to change Circulation: 3 weeks Reminders:
Ms. O'Donnell, Library Media Assistant
[email protected] 860-526-5328 x 2245 After leaving Valley following her graduation (in a year we shall not mention), Verna O’Donnell returned to the hill in fall of 2011. Her journey back to VRHS began when she joined the district as a braille transcriptionist at Deep River Elementary in 2003. During her time as a braille transcriptionist, Ms. O’Donnell was awarded the Kenneth V. Olson Excellence in Education Award by the State Board of Education and Services for the Blind. She also has led several workshops on Tactile Art and Graphics and presented at conferences throughout New England. In addition to her work in the library and as a paraprofessional in classrooms, Ms. O’Donnell currently co-advises the TRIAD yearbook committee and is the Artist Crew Director for VRMP. In her life away from school, Ms. O’Donnell is the proud mother of two VRHS alumnae, an avid wildlife photographer, and personal assistant to her beloved canine companion, Gus. |