Defender of Wonder - Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones, an exceptional educator with a remarkable 24-year journey in the field of education! Amanda shares her extensive background, having served as a former 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts teacher and now in her current role as a school librarian. With a Masters +30 and certifications in various areas, including K-12 librarian, 1-8 elementary teachers, school administrator, and reading specialist.
As an accomplished speaker and presenter, Amanda has made a significant impact at state, regional, national, and international conferences. Her leadership roles, such as serving as a former AASL Chapter Assembly Secretary and AASL23 National Conference Co-Chair, highlight her commitment to advancing the field of school librarianship.
Amanda's influence extends beyond the podium, as she's been featured six times on the School Librarians United podcast, serves as an ALA Councilor at Large, and contributes as an AASL Knowledge Quest blogger. Additionally, stay tuned for her upcoming book THAT LIBRARIAN scheduled for release in September 2024.
Join us in this engaging interview as we gain insights from Amanda Jones, an educator who truly embodies the spirit of making the school library the heart of the school. Her experiences, wisdom, and dedication are sure to inspire and enlighten all who tune in!
Visit her website: librarianjones.com/
00:00 - Introduction
00:34 - Impressive Qualifications
01:09 - Childhood Inspirations
02:49 - Educational Journey
03:27 - Advocate for Libraries
04:32 - Oprah Mentions
05:12 - Recent Achievements
05:45 - Upcoming Book
06:20 - Community Impact
07:20 - Upcoming Book
08:21 - Strategies Against Censorship
09:45 - Future of Libraries and Education
11:15 - Closing Thoughts
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Hi, I'm Christopher. Unban Coolies is a heartfelt initiative aimed at advocating for diverse books in all public schools and libraries. The urgency of this cause is fueled by the prevailing wave of book bans and censorship that threatens the representation of diverse voices in literature.
The inspiration behind this advocacy comes from a cherished children's book called COOLIES, where I found a deep connection with the characters, seeing aspects of myself reflected within their stories. The disheartening realization that COOLIES was banned hit me hard, igniting a desire to take action. In my research, I discovered other beloved classics sharing the same fate, such as The Diary of a Young Girl, Dragonwings, Beloved, The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, Where the Wild Things Are, Animal Farm, Beloved, The Bluest Eye, I Am Jazz, Lord of the Flies, and many others.
Though I firmly stand against book banning, it is important to emphasize that Unban Coolies remains nonpartisan, respecting diverse viewpoints. Living in a country where open disagreements are possible, I cherish the opportunity to promote inclusivity for individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, beliefs, and values.
On this platform, all perspectives are welcomed and encouraged to engage in meaningful discussions. It is my sincere hope that through these dialogues, we can find valuable and lasting solutions that foster an inclusive literary landscape for everyone. Together, let's champion the power of diverse voices and create a world where books reflect the richness and beauty of our diverse human experiences.
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CONNECT-
✅ VISIT MY WEBSITE: www.unbanCoolies.org
✅ VISIT MY KZhead: / @unbancoolies
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📧 SEND ME AN EMAIL: checkmateflushing@gmail.com
✅Please sign my petition to push back against book banning: bit.ly/3JJTbQ1
#bookban #bannedbooks #oprah