Skills
-
Organization
-
Commitment to strong and inclusive collaboration
-
Critical Thinking
-
Creativity
-
Effectively manage schedules and time
-
Flexibility
-
Energetic
​
-
Microsoft Office
-
Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
-
Basic HTML/Java
-
Drupal
-
Familiar with RULER Resources
-
Editing/Writing
-
Open and respectful communication
-
Knowledge of 21st Century Learning Skills
​
-
Fluency with educational technologies
-
Effective instructional techniques
-
Passion for building a culture of literacy
-
Lesson planning and implementation with an emphasis on student inquiry
-
Efficient resource discovery​​
-
Familiarity of AASL Standards
​
KELLY NOLAN
Work Experience
719-510-1629
Library Media Specialist February 2025 - Current
Eastport Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Description coming soon
Certifications
Reader Advisor/Librarian September 2023 - January 2025
Perkins Library for the Blind Perkins School for the Deaf and Blind
As a Reader Advisor at Perkins Library, I am one of the main points of contact for a patrons. Perkins Library services blind patrons throughout the state of Massachusetts, so I am responsible for sending out talking books, braille texts, and large print items, as well as, audio descriptive DVDs and other new and/or emerging accessible formats. Perkins Library uses Klas to manage circulation, a system that allows me to help maintain circulation service problems and patron reading records. As a Reader Advisor, it also my duty to ensure patrons are receiving books that best fit their reading preferences. My vast knowledge of recent and past publications, as well as my voracious love of reading, allows me to provide individualized selections.
Library Media Specialist July 2021 - June 2023
Brooklyn Park Elementary School Anne Arundel County Public Schools
-
Nonviolent Crisis Prevention (CPI) - Renewed August 2020
-
Medication Certified - Renewed August 2020
-
CPR (AED) and First Aid Certified - January 2021
-
Colorado Crossing Guard Certified - August 2019
-
Maryland PEC - Library Media Specialist - Valid 1/1/21 - 12/31/25
-
Certificate of Eligibility for School Library Media Specialist in NJ - Valid 1/1/21 - 12/31/25
Memberships
-
Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) - September 2020 - present
-
American Library Association and Divisions (ALA, AASL, ALSC, and YALSA) - November 2020 - present
-
Maryland Library Association (MLA) - November 2020 - present
-
Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL) - January 2021 - present
Continuing Education
As the Library Media Specialist at BPES, my main role was to provide a safe space and welcoming environment for all students. Through building relationships, I was better able to add to our current collection and create programs for the students. Each class focused on the joy of reading and how our book related to the curriculum lesson that day. Lessons were designed to be interactive and involve all types of learning. Aside from teaching the Library Media curriculum, I also started a Big Buddy program, allowing the fifth graders to mentor kindergarteners during Library Media class. On other days, I lead the Yearbook Club to create a completely student-centered yearbook. My second year, I was co-lead of the Sunshine Committee, which allowed me to plan fun events for the staff and create more of a community.
-
September 2020 - present
-
Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) -
-
-
​
Behavior Paraprofessional September 2018 - May 2021
Frontier Elementary School Academy School District 20
As a behavior paraprofessional for the Affective Needs (AN) program—a self-contained classroom—my role consisted of ensuring safety, providing additional informational instruction when needed, and supporting the teacher. I assisted with lessons, planning, escalations, and support, oftentimes switching between roles as "lead" and roles as "notetaker". I primarily supported instruction with reading; however, I did assist in math, science, and social studies. Planning lessons for my students taught me the importance of adaptability, patience, and following Common Core guidelines, the AASL foundations, and 21st Century Learning framework. I also spent my after-school hours aiding the librarian and providing support to the library program, which allowed me to enhance my learning during my Masters of Information program.
Freelancer August 2017 - August 2023
FEN Learning Boston, MA
As a freelancer, I create quizzes and update the current events page for Infoplease.com. I also write articles for FEN Learning and TeacherVision as needed. In this position, I learned how to use Drupal and enhanced my understanding of HTML coding. I also experienced the world of publishing and the process writing goes through in order to be published online.
Education
Rutgers University Graduated January 2021
Master of Information (MI) with concentration in School Librarianship
Emerson College Graduated August 2018
Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing
Colorado State University August 2014 - May 2018
1.5 years of Computer Science, .5 years on Semester at Sea, 1 year of English
Liberty High School Graduated May 2014
Graduated with High Honors and as a member of National Honor Society
My Academic Journey
In 2014, I began my newest education journey: Colorado State University. As a freshman, I began my journey as Computer Science major with a minor in Mathematics. After one semester, I decided I also wanted to add a Criminal Justice minor in hopes of one day becoming involved in Computer Forensics. Though I was enjoying my major, I wanted more. I wanted to travel the world and learn about more than I could in a classroom. Thus, first semester of my sophomore year, I embarked on my next adventure: Semester at Sea. While aboard the ship, I was granted a work study as an IT Consultant in the library; however, the thing I was most drawn to during that job was the library itself. I have always loved to read and write, but it wasn't until Semester at Sea granted me the time (and lack of internet) that I truly discovered these passions. Upon my return to CSU, I knew something was missing. After one more semester, I decided to change my major to English. I absolutely loved my new path as a junior, but it wasn't long before the
travel bug bit again. By the close of junior year, I knew I needed to make a change. A few months later, I was packed and ready to move to Boston, MA to attend my last year of school at Emerson College. While there, I interned for various publishing companies, delving into education networks, magazines, and blogs. I graduated in 2018 with a degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing and a fresh outlook on the industry. I enjoyed every moment in the industry, but I realized that my passion for books didn't fit in the world of publishing - I just needed to find it where it did.
After graduation, I decided to move back home to Colorado Springs, CO. Admittedly a little lost, I applied for jobs in an amalgam of areas. Eventually, I feel across a job at Frontier Elementary School (where I attended school nearly 15 years earlier). I was introduced to a new program, the Affective Needs Program, and thrust into the world of education. My job as a behavior paraprofessional allowed me to discover a new passion for teaching; nevertheless, I missed being surrounded by books. As I pondered a way to combine the two, I remembered my time on Semester at Sea and how much I enjoyed working in the library. The solution hit me soon after: a job as a school librarian was the perfect job for me! By January 2019, I was enrolled in the MI program at Rutgers University, pursuing my degree for School Librarianship.
After graduation, new adventures awaited across the country. In August 2021, I moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where I was blessed with my dream job as a School Library Media Specialist. During my two years in Baltimore, I learned and experienced more than I could ever imagine—both personally and professionally. Little did I know, come August 2023, a new move would be waiting: Boston was calling my name yet again. Currently, I reside in Cambridge, MA and I am working at the Perkins Library for the Blind. This career change is one I never could have predicted; however, my new position as Reader Advisor has allowed me to continue to learn and grow with ALL forms of reading. I look forward to the future.