The short version:

Jennifer LaGarde is a lifelong teacher and learner with more than 20 years in public education. She is passionate about leveraging technology to help students build authentic reading lives, meeting the unique needs of students living in poverty, and helping learners of all ages discern fact from fiction in the information they consume. Jennifer is the coauthor, with Darren Hudgins, of Fact vs. Fiction: Teaching Critical Thinking in the Age of Fake News (ISTE, 2018) and Developing Digital Detectives (ISTE, 2021). She is also a part-time lecturer in the MLIS program at Rutgers University, where she has taught courses including Emerging Literacies, Young Adult Literature, and Children’s Literature. In addition, Jennifer serves as the Library-Literacy Mentor with Bookelicious and hosts the podcast The Reader’s Heart. She currently lives, works, reads, and drinks lots of coffee in Olympia, Washington. You can follow her adventures at www.librarygirl.net.

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The super short version:

Jennifer LaGarde is a teacher, author, and library cheerleader who writes about reading, information literacy, and the joy of learning - all fueled by strong coffee.

 

The long(er) version:

Jennifer LaGarde (aka Library Girl!) is a lifelong educator and learner. With more than 20 years of experience in public education, Jennifer has served as a classroom teacher, teacher librarian, district digital teaching and learning specialist, district school library media lead, state-wide library and technology support consultant for NCDPI, independent contractor and consultant, and adjunct faculty at both Rutgers and Antioch Universities.

She has designed and delivered courses such as:

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• School Library Program Management

• School Library Collection Development

• Developing Digital Detectives: Information Literacy in the Digital Age

• Emerging Literacies

• Young Adult Literature

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Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English/Language Arts from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She earned her master’s degree in Library Science from Appalachian State University and holds National Board Certification in School Library Media.

Some of the awards and distinctions she has received include:

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• ALA, New York Times, and Carnegie Corporation’s I Love My Librarian Award

• Library Journal Mover and Shaker

• AASL Social Media Superstar: “Social Justice Defender”

• Salem Press Blog of the Year

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Jennifer has published numerous articles on best practices for journals such as Teacher Librarian, ISTE, School Library Connections, and Knowledge Quest. She is also the coauthor, with Darren Hudgins, of Fact vs. Fiction: Teaching Critical Thinking in the Age of Fake News (ISTE, 2018) and Developing Digital Detectives (ISTE, 2021).

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In addition to writing and teaching, Jennifer hosts the podcast The Reader’s Heart, where she amplifies stories that inspire readers and educators. She currently lives in Olympia, Washington, where she spends her days chasing after her two dogs, drinking lots of coffee, and updating her award-winning blog The Adventures of Library Girl, proving that you don’t have to be a superhero to be a teacher librarian, but having a cape sure helps.

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Headshots (and stuff like that) can be found here.

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