danawest.net

Hi there! I'm an MLIS student who came to librarianship after more than a decade of teaching high school.

Resume

After 11 years of teaching high school English, I am currently pursuing a Masters degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Washington. My passions include instructional librarianship, educational equity, and project-based learning. I’m becoming more-and-more certain that these ideas are closely connected, and my dream career would allow me to work on all of them at once.

 

Experience

English Teacher
Berkeley High School
Aug 2013 to Jun 2018

English Teacher
Santana High School
Aug 2007 to Jun 2003

Assistant Literary Agent
Writers House LLC
Mar 2004 to Mar 2006

 

Education

MLIS (expected)
University of Washington
Fall 2018 to present

BA Literatures in English
University of California, San Diego
Fall 2000 to Spring 2004

MA Teaching & Learning
Point Loma Nazarene University
Fall 2007 to Spring 2009

Teaching Credential
University of San Diego
Fall 2006 to Spring 2007

 

Volunteer Experience

Gallery Facilitator
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center     
Feb 2012 to Aug 2012

Intern
Office of Congressman Mike Thompson
Jun 2001 to Aug 2001

 

Skills & Interests

Curriculum design

Project-based learning

Social justice & equity

Culturally responsive pedagogy

Instructional librarianship

Information literacy

Digital scholarship

 
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Past Projects

Examples of my work as an MLIS student:

  • Fall 2018: Collect the Wheels”: Leveraging Technology in Information Literacy Instruction

    • Abstract: This research project investigates the way that University of Washington library staff and instructors in the Expository Writing Program (EWP) collaborate to support development of first-year students’ information literacy, with a particular focus on technology. Data was collected using a variety of methods, including semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and student surveys. Analysis of the data reveals that information literacy instruction is embedded in EWP coursework, with support from the library coming in the form of Canvas instructional modules and one-shot sessions in the library. Obstacles to information literacy instruction include limited time and resources for those providing it, as well as diversity in first-year students’ needs and skills. Potential solutions to these challenges include increased opportunities for active learning in library sessions, as well as centralization of instructional resources to better support EWP instructors.