Introducing - Jessica Gillis

As the new Vice-President of Communications for CSLA I see my job as making sure that all the CSLA members have easy access to state and national news, events and issues regarding our positions and interests in K-12 school libraries. To support this we are starting a blog to share information as if becomes available and allow you to make comments and share your concerns, interests and questions. 
I'll take this time to share a little about myself.  I grew up on the East Coast but moved to California in 1988.  I had just gotten my teaching credential in MA and had to wait to take the CBEST so I took a classified job in an elementary school library for a year.  After 20 years in the classroom and working with homeschoolers in Monterey county I finally decided it was time to become a teacher librarian.  I was lucky to get a position in a Palo Alto elementary school while I was still finishing my library degree which I completed in Dec. 2010 from SJSU.  As a SLIS student I became a member of CSLA and ALA-AASL, taking advantage of the cheaper student dues, attending the conferences and meetings as well.  My involvement in AASL and joining the Taskforce for the implementation of the 21st Century Learning Standards led to my election as Region 7 Director-Elect.  This position acts as a liaison between State and the national organization.  An appropriate complement of that role is working on communication with my state organization.  I am honored to have been asked to fill the position of VP of Communications for CSLA and look forward to working with the other fabulous board members that are part of the CSLA team.