2016-2017 Cohort

Kathi Barker has been the library media specialist at Colt Andrews Elementary School in Bristol since 2014. She teaches library, literacy skills, and technology for approximately 370 students kindergarten through grade 5. A classroom teacher for 17 years prior to stepping into the role of LMS, Kathi has taught grades 3, 4, 5, and science grade 6, as well as one year teaching a database program to all teachers in a district of 21 schools. She is eager to continue to learn new technology and digital platforms for authentic use by teachers and students both in and out of school.

Jennifer Gasrow is the Teen Librarian at the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library in Burrillville. After spending several years working in the banking industry, Jennifer made the transition into the library field. While pursuing her MLIS degree, she worked as a Library Aide at the Warwick Public Library. Before accepting her current position at a Teen Librarian, she spent some time working as the Children’s Librarian at the Louttit Library in West Greenwich. Additionally, Jennifer is a member of the Rhode Island Teen Book Award committee.

Sarah Hunicke is the Library Media Specialist at Portsmouth High School and the K-12 Library Media Department Chair for the district. She is actively involved in the School Leadership and Improvement Teams, the District Technology Planning Committee, the K-12 Library Media and Technology Curriculum Team and she oversees the maintenance of the district curriculum sites. Her professional interests include information and digital literacies, blended learning, and independent reading initiatives for busy high school students. She also reads for the RI Teen Book Award committee and serves on the board of SLRI

Kristen Mitchell has been a Library Media Specialist for the West Warwick Public Schools since 2003. She also serves as Media Services Coordinator for the district. She has participated in developing a digital literacy curriculum for the district. Her professional experiences include working as a RITTI trainer.

Donna Ouellette has worked in Lincoln as a Library Media Specialist for the last 18 years. She previously worked in Woonsocket as a Library Clerk, Teacher Assistant and Library Media Specialist. She has recently participated in Code.org workshops as well as the CS4RI Scratch Summer workshop. Her professional interests include learning new technologies and computer skills to enhance her teaching and assist her students. She is also interested in creating a Makerspace and incorporating STEAM activities in her library program.

After twelve years as computer technology support in a variety of industries, Jennifer was inspired by my daughter’s school library media specialist to make a career change. During twelve years as a Library Media Specialist at Fogarty Elementary School and Ponaganset Middle School, she found the advance of technology tools for the education market has been astounding. She is passionate about creating engaging learning opportunities for students and supporting fellow educators in exploring technology tools to meet educational objectives. She lives in Greenville, RI with my husband and am the proud parent of two adult daughers.

Bevin Winner has worked as a School Library Media Specialist for the last 12 years since earning her MLS from the University of RI in 2005. She currently serves Exeter West Greenwich Jr/Sr High School. Bevin assisted the technology department in their chrombook 1:1 rollout and continues as the liason between students, staff and the technology deartment to keep devices being utilized efficiently, effectively and responsibly. She has also taught classes for the Business Media and Technoogy department at EWG. Bevin has served as the SLRI confernce committee chair, vendor coordinator and various conference jobs for the last 10 years. She is currently expanding her Maker Monday program by teaching an enrichment block everyday and is planning a Family Creative Learning event for January. Bevin Hopes to expand the maker movement into the whole school community.

Sandra is very excited to be working with everyone in this newly created Cohort! She is a School Library Media Specialist in the Warwick Public Schools. She has taught in Elementary for her first eight years, then taught in Junior High for the last five years, but because her building (Aldrich Jr High) closed in June, she was sent back to teaching in elementary again. The transition back to teaching in elementary has been challenging. She currently splits her time between two schools, Holden and Norwood, and teaches a severe profound Autistic class that she finds extremely challenging to successfully engage. She hopes to learn many new library technology ideas and helpful tricks while working closely with the cohort, especially learning new lesson strategies for teaching her Special Education students. In return, she hopes to share her technology experiences with the cohort, too. She wants to make Library class fun, exciting and a neat place where her students enter feeling excited and curious.

Anne has served as Early Childhood Coordinator and Children’s Librarian at Providence Public Library since 2010. She is also an adjunct professor at the Community College of Rhode Island, teaching courses in Early Childhood Education. Since arriving on the library scene, Anne has created unique programming experiences for young children, worked on the development of the Chace Children’s Discovery Library and presented to a variety of audiences on current topics of concern to librarians, educators and families. Professionally, Anne is interested in building curiosity, creativity and collaboration in her young patrons through new and innovative programs.