27 May 2010
Dallas ISD Librarian Receives Local and State Honors and Selected to Participate in NASA's LiftOff Program
DALLAS—Dallas ISD's Librarian of the Year Gail Shipley will close out a stellar school year by participating in NASA's prestigious LiftOff Summer Institute held at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, July 18-23. She will join Dallas ISD teacher Carol Wingard from George Bannerman Dealey International Academy who was also chosen to take part in the program. Forty-six teachers were selected from across the country, and Shipley is the only librarian to be included. This is the second year she has been selected for the program.
"LiftOff opened my eyes to all the opportunities available for our students," said Shipley. "I have been able to share the materials I received with teachers and librarians throughout our district, as well as create displays, puppet shows and celebrations on space to supplement our curriculum. It has been a rewarding experience, and I'm looking forward to participating again."
Shipley, a librarian at Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School, was recently named Librarian of the Year by the Dallas Association of School Librarians for excellence in her field. She was also awarded the Siddie Joe Johnson Award for outstanding achievement in library service presented by the Children's Round Table of the Texas Library Association.
"I feel very honored and humbled to be selected as Librarian of the Year. It means a lot to me to be nominated and supported by my principal and faculty, and winning the Johnson award for my work in early literacy makes me feel validated and appreciated. It's been an incredible year," said Shipley.
Shipley has been with Dallas ISD for 12 years.
"The Dallas Independent School District and the students it serves have made substantial strides over the last several years. Its academic gains have been some of the most impressive in the country, and the district is now viewed as one of the nation's fastest improving urban school systems."