VAASL 2024 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the VAASL 2024 Fall Conference App!
Telling Our Story through an incredible program of sessions and events.

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10:00am EST

Reading Makes Cents: Featuring STEM Focused Library Lessons

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST

Piedmont C

Reading Makes Cents is a K-8 financial literacy program sponsored by VA529 and the Virginia Council on Economic Education that provides free books and student recognition. New titles include “Water Day”, “Pa, Me, and Our Sidewalk Pantry”, and “The Fabulous Fannie Farmer.” Featuring lesson plans, an annotated bibliography, and door prizes.

Speakers

Lynne Stover

Teacher Consultant, JMU Center for Economic Education

Lynne Farrell Stover is currently a Teacher Consultant at the James Madison University Center for Economic Education. Prior to this, she spent thirty-three years in public education where she enjoyed various teaching assignments including classroom teacher, gifted education specialist... Read More →

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Piedmont C

Instruction Literature

AASL Inquire, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School

10:00am EST

Creating Together: The Intersection of Collaboration and Innovation

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST

Patriot AB

Join our librarian and innovative learning coach as they explore dynamic strategies for collaboration in the library. Discover how to create engaging learning environments, integrate technology, and foster a culture of innovation. Perfect for educators and library staff looking to enhance their collaborative efforts.

Speakers

Katie Malzahn

Innovative Learning Coach, Seven Pines

Emily Underwood

School Librarian, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Patriot AB

Instruction Professional Growth

AASL Collaborate
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

10:00am EST

Meet the Authors - Elementary

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST

Tidewater CD

Ten Virginia and DC Authors who write for Elementary Readers will present information about their Author Visits and answer questions. One participant will win a free virtual author visit from one of the presenting authors.

Speakers

Laura Murray

Author

I am very excited to be connecting with the wonderful librarians at VAASL this year! I am the author of the VRC award-winning – THE GINGERBREAD MAN LOOSE IN THE SCHOOL picture book series and the BRAND NEW GINGERBREAD MAN GRAPHIC NOVELS for YOUNG READERS series. The Gingerbread... Read More →

Tracey Kyle

Picture Book Author

Tracey Kyle is the author of six rhyming picture books, including PEPE AND THE PARADE and THE LUCKY GRAPES: A NEW YEAR'S EVE STORY. She taught Spanish for 30 years at the secondary level and enjoys sharing her love of the Spanish language and culture with kids. Her next book, PEPE... Read More →

Laura Renauld

Children's Author

Debra Shumaker

Author, MidAtlantic SCBWI

I write fiction and nonfiction picture books with both heart and humor. Two of my books, FREAKY, FUNKY FISH: ODD FACTS ABOUT FASCINATING FISH and PECULIAR PRIMATES: FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT THESE CURIOUS CREATURES are rhyming nonfiction with lots of back matter. They are published... Read More →

Cynthia Cliff

Author/Illustrator, SCBWI Mid-Atlantic

I am a self-taught illustrator and author who grew up in a tiny historic village in rural Virginia surrounded by farms and woodlands. This upbringing provided me with a love of history, nature, and folklore—themes that find their way into my whimsical, folk-art inspired story telling... Read More →

Alyssa Colman

Author

Alyssa Colman is the author of Where Only Storms Grow (2025), The Tarnished Garden, and The Gilded Girl, which won the 2021 Northern Lights Book Award for middle grade fantasy and was a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. Publishers Weekly called the story “a thoughtful and imaginative... Read More →

Dionna Mann

Author, SCBWI

Salutations!My name is Dionna L. Mann. I'm an independent researcher and children’s book author who loves uncovering inspiring human-interest stories hidden within African American history. As a work for hire author, I've written 20 children's books, both fiction and nonfiction... Read More →

Leah Moser

Author

Leah Moser is a children’s book author living in Northern Virginia. With degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology, Leah has spent years as a classroom teacher. She loves sharing her passion for picture books with her husband, three daughters, dog, and readers of all ages... Read More →

Kim Norman

With nearly 20 years experience, Kim Norman has spoken to more than a quarter of a million students across the U.S. all of whom now know that dogs are her favorite pets. She’s the author of more than 20 children's books published by Penguin/RandomHouse, Macmillan, Candlewick, Scholastic... Read More →

Erica Perl

Author, Erica S. Perl

I am the author of more than forty books for young readers, including middle grade novels (White Bird: A Novel, with R.J. Palacio), picture books (How Carrot Met Cookie, The Three Little Guinea Pigs), chapter books (Craftily Ever After series, Arnold and Louise series), and early... Read More →

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Tidewater CD

Instruction Literature Programming

AASL Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

11:00am EST

Writing Elementary Science Curriculum for the Library Using the 5E Instructional Model

Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST

Tidewater AB

Finding time to co-plan instruction with teachers is close to impossible for elementary librarians. This session covers how a school division focused their summer curriculum writing time to create science lessons for the library that work with, but independently of, core classroom instruction using the inquiry-based framework of the 5E instructional model. Example units will be shared as part of the session.

Speakers

Jenny Mock

Library Media Specialist, Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School

Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock

Cathy Guthrie

Librarian, Alexandria City Public Schools

I am an elementary school librarian at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA.

Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST
Tidewater AB

Instruction

AASL Inquire, Collaborate
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

11:00am EST

Easy Advocacy for Elementary Librarians

Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST

Tidewater CD

Already overwhelmed by all the roles a librarian has to fill and think you never have time for advocacy? Think again! Easy Advocacy for Elementary Librarians will leave you feeling empowered and with easy, integrated ideas you can begin in your libraries next week!

Speakers

Michelle Bergstresser

School Librarian, Albemarle County Public Schools

I'm an elementary school librarian at a beautifully diverse dual immersion (Spanish & English) Title I school. Let's chat about diverse books, easy advocacy, and positive relationship as the key to your library being the heart of your school!

Heather Gonzalez

Librarian

Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST
Tidewater CD

Instruction Programming

AASL Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

11:00am EST

When Creativity Met Collaboration

Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST

Allegheny C

The author and illustrator of The When Pencil Met series will hold a session about creativity and collaboration, discussing the creation process behind When Pencil Met Eraser, When Pencil Met the Markers, and When Glitter Met Glue. They will also share some fun activities and lessons that extend the themes of the books to the library and classroom!

Speakers

Karen Kilpatrick

Germán Blanco

Germán Blanco is a self-taught illustrator/graphic designer who resides in South Florida. As a child, he always enjoyed doodling, which he didn't know could eventually turn into a career. His work has a fun and quirky style derived from years of watching cartoons and reading comic... Read More →

Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST
Allegheny C

Literature

AASL Collaborate, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

12:00pm EST

Elemental Cross-Curricular Connections: Overlapping Lesson Music and Children's Literature

Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST

Allegheny AB

Come to hear a veteran music teacher who is an Orff-Schulwerk specialist and a librarian who is a former classroom teacher, share the myriad ways that children's literature and music lesson an and should overlap to enhance student understanding in multiple content areas. Participants will leave with specific lesson idea, books lists, and activities to take back to their learning spaces.

Speakers

Michelle O'Hara

Lower School Teaching Librarian, The Potomac School

I am an elementary school librarian, former classroom teacher, and lover of all things cozy, reading-related, and dark chocolaty.

Tara Clayburn

Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Allegheny AB

Instruction Literature Professional Growth

AASL Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

12:00pm EST

Rural School Library Advocacy

Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST

Piedmont C

Small districts can be wonderful places of close knit communities, but it can also be a place where advocacy can be put on the back burner. Explore ways to make engaging videos and community outreach projects to have your voices heard and show all the hard work you do in your rural library!

Speakers

Emily Preuss-Anderson

School Librarian/ITRT

Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Piedmont C

Instruction Programming

AASL Inquire, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

12:00pm EST

Blank Brain? AI to the Rescue! (Utilizing AI as an Elementary Librarian)

Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST

Tidewater CD

Are you navigating the complexities of using AI as a Librarian? Get a practical guide to understanding and integrating AI in your work. Explore how to leverage AI tools to enhance teacher efficacy, save valuable time and prevent teacher burnout, all while reducing your anxiety about this new technology. We will explore the basics of ChatGPT, Magic School AI, Diffit and Gemini. (BYOD)

Speakers

Jacquelyn McGuire-Day

Library Media Specialist, VBCPS

Erin Berens

Library Media Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Jeannette Reynolds

LMS, VBCPS

Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Tidewater CD

Professional Growth Technology

AASL Inquire, Curate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

1:00pm EST

Diverse Literature: VA READS in the Library

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Piedmont B

Come explore VA READS. Learn about our diverse picture books while we share activity suggestions and provide recommended book pairings. You will walk away ready to share these books with your K-6 students.

Speakers

Ami Schroder

Librarian, Fairfax County Public Schools

In addition to being a school librarian, I am the co-founder of VA READS and love to talk about diverse books for all ages!#VAREADSTwitter: @anilawc Insta: schroderrific

Amy Hurley

Librarian, Fairfax County Public Schools

I have been a librarian in Fairfax County for ten years. I am currently the chair of the VA READS picture book committee. Insta: librarylitlady

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Piedmont B

Collection Development Instruction Literature

AASL Include, Curate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School

2:30pm EST

Game Changers for the Elementary Library

Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST

Allegheny C

Working daily to create the best library program that supports students, staff, and caregivers? Dynamic programming is Active, Beneficial, Captivating...Xhausting! Join together to discuss these ABC's of an exciting library along with game changing strategies and methods to keep stakeholders engaged. Examples and ideas from our elementary school program will be presented with opportunities for experienced colleagues to share successful ideas.

Speakers

Margaret Alger

Librarian, River Bend Elementary

I am an elementary librarian who is involved in many things around the school besides teaching great students and finding wonderful books for them to read. My special interests are engaging books for kids, letting students have ownership of the library space, creating an exciting... Read More →

Martha Taylor

Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST
Allegheny C

Instruction Programming

AASL Include, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

2:30pm EST

Club Connections

Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST

Liberty AB

I will share how before school clubs have impacted attendance at our school, how we have connected them to literacy, and also how to collaborate with teachers in new ways to share your passions with students!

Speakers

Amy Coward

Librarian, Greenwood Elementary School

Thursday November 7, 2024 2:30pm - 3:15pm EST
Liberty AB

Programming

AASL Include, Collaborate, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate