Before joining Antioch University Seattle School of Education, Dr. Christie Kaaland was a junior and senior high school English and drama teacher and an elementary teacher-librarian in Tacoma. While working in a school library and serving on the executive board of the Washington Library Media Association, Kaaland first became interested in developing a school library program at Antioch. In 2004, with her leadership, the AUS School Library Media Endorsement program began and continues to prepare teachers to become credentialed teacher librarians.
Kaaland served as associate editor of the peer-reviewed scholarly journal for teacher-librarians, Teacher Librarian: The Journal for School Library Professionals, 2015 – 2022. Additionally, she has served as guest editor for the March-April 2020, issue of Knowledge Quest, the American Library Association organization’s journal and guest editor for the January-March, 2023, issue of Vanderbilt University’s Peabody Journal of Education, an issue devoted to school library research.
Kaaland helps promote the importance of the school librarian’s many leadership roles: providing equitable access to information and resources; promoting state and national legislative reform related to school libraries; and being the school’s go-to literature expert, matching a child to the reading material they need and want.
She is currently under contract with Bloomsbury Academic Press writing a textbook, The Children’s Literature Handbook, K-8, due out in 2025.
- BA, English and Education, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
- MA, Educational Administration, University of Washington
- EdD, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Washington
“The students at Antioch are a gift from whom I constantly receive joy, wisdom and enlightenment.”
Books
- Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Recovery in the School Library: Creating a Safe Haven, ABC-CLIO, Libraries Unlimited, 2015.
- Lead author, Activism and the School Librarian: Tools for Advocacy and Survival. ABC-CLIO Publishers, 2012.
Recent Articles
- (2021). Washington State School Librarians to the Rescue: Washington Digital TeachKit Tech Resource for Educators. Teacher Librarian, 48(4), 22–25.
- (2020). Bibliotherapeutic Picture Books for Uncertain Times. Teacher Librarian, 47(4), 25.
- (2020). Proactive, Ubiquitous, Fierce, Collaborative School Library Advocacy. Knowledge Quest, 48(4), 6–7.
- (2020). The Many “LEGS” of School Library Legislative Advocacy. Knowledge Quest, 48(4), 28–34.
- (2019). An Author Visit with Dan Gemeinhart. Teacher Librarian, 47(1), 29–35.
- (2018). Great Insights from Seven Lane Changers. Teacher Librarian, 46(2), 36–38.
- (2017). Creating a Climate of Voracious Readers: The Impact of Major School Library Funding. Teacher Librarian, 45(1), 26–29.
- (2015). Washington State School Library Impact Study. Teacher Librarian, 43(1), 30–33.
- (2015). The School Library’s Role During Critical Times. School Library Monthly, 31(4), 32–34.
- (2013). The Power of Parent Advocacy. School Library Monthly, 30(2), 26–28.
- (2013). English Language Arts: Inspiration for Learning with The One and Only Ivan. School Library Monthly, 30(1), 51–53.
- (2013). Courting a New Superintendent. School Library Monthly, 29(6), 30–31.
- (2013). Literacy Conversations: Teens and Authors. School Library Monthly, 29(4), 39–41.
- (2012). Oh My! Literacy with Beastly ABC Books. School Library Monthly, 29(1), 14–16.
- (2012). Cavalcade of Authors: Bringing a Community Together. Medium, 36(3), 10–35.
- (2012). Creating a Districtwide Advocacy Plan, Part 2: Visibility and Vigilance. School Library Monthly, 28(4), 29–31.
- (2011). Creating a Districtwide Advocacy Plan, Part 1: Vision and Voice. School Library Monthly, 28(3), 29–31.
- (2011). School Library Language for Legislators. School Library Monthly, 27(6), 49–51.
- (2011). Proactive Advocacy: “’Emergency Preparedness”’ for the School Library. School Library Monthly, 27(4), 49–51.
- Washington Library Association’s President Award, 2022
- Horace Mann Award, 2008
- Institute of Museum and Library Services, Laura Bush grant for $1 million for scholarships for library students 2007
- Golden Acorn Award, Browns Point, 1999, in recognition of community service
- Oregon Library Association
- Washington Library Association, executive board member and legislative advocate
- American Association of School Librarians
- Advisory Board, VOYA: Voice of Youth Advocate.