Dr. Christie Kaaland

Education

• Doctorate in Education, Curriculum and Instruction — University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
• Masters in Educational Administration — University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
• Bachelor of Arts, English and Literature — Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington

Publications · Books

• The Children's Literature Selection Handbook, K–8, Bloomsbury Academic Press, September 2025.
• Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Recovery in School Libraries: Creating a Safe Haven, Bloomsbury (Libraries Unlimited), 2015 — in consultation with William Lokey, former FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer.
• A lead author, Activism and the School Librarian: Tools for Advocacy and Survival, ABC-CLIO Publishers, 2012.

Publications · Professional Journal Articles

• "Like Fred Astaire….But Backwards in High Heels: Giving Illustrators Their Due." Knowledge Quest. February 2026.
• "It Takes a Village: High School Librarians Decade-Long Advocacy Work to Reinstate Elementary Librarians." Knowledge Quest. Accepted for publication May–June 2025.
• "Understanding Ukraine's Plight Through Children's Literature." KQ Blog, American Association of School Librarians blog. 2024.
• "Washington State School Librarians to the Rescue: Washington Digital TeachKit Tech Resource for Educators." Teacher Librarian. May–June 2021.
• "African American Women in Children's Literature". Antioch University Diversity Council Newsletter, March 2021.
• "Proactive, Ubiquitous, Fierce, Collaborative, Vigilant School Library Advocacy" (Editorial). Knowledge Quest. March–April 2020.
• "Learn How to Engage in Virile School Library Advocacy." Knowledge Quest blog. March/April 2020.
• "The Many 'Legs' of Library Legislative Advocacy." Knowledge Quest. March–April 2020.
• "An Author Interview with Dan Gemeinhart." Teacher Librarian. Sept–Oct. 2019.
• "Writing for Teacher Librarian: A Guide to the Process." Teacher Librarian. Sept–Oct. 2017.
• "Creating a Climate of Voracious Readers: The Impact of Major School Library Funding." Teacher Librarian. Sept–Oct. 2017.
• "Washington State School Library Impact Study: How School Library Impact Studies Happen, The Backstory." Teacher Librarian. September–October 2015.
• "WNDB: There's Work to Be Done!" School Library Connection, September 2015.
• "The School Library's Role During Critical Times." School Library Monthly. February 2015.
• "The Power of Parent Advocacy." School Library Monthly. November 2013.
• "Learning Plans: Inspiration for Learning with The One and Only Ivan." School Library Monthly. October 2013.
• "Courting a New Superintendent." School Library Monthly. March 2013.
• "Literary Conversations: Teens and Authors." School Library Monthly. January 2013.
• "Cavalcade of Authors", MEDIUM, Washington Library Media Association Journal, Spring–Summer 2012.
• "Vultures and Vampires and Vipers.…Oh My! How Scary Is the Alphabet: Nudging Toward Literacy with Beastly Alphabet Books." School Library Monthly. September 2012.
• "Developing a District-Wide School Library Advocacy Plan: Part 2: Visibility and Vigilance." School Library Monthly. January 2012.
• "Developing a District-Wide School Library Advocacy Plan: Part 1: Vision and Voice." School Library Monthly. December 2011.
• "School Library Language for Legislators." School Library Monthly. March 2011.
• "Proactive Advocacy: 'Emergency Preparedness for the School Library.'" School Library Monthly. January 2011.
• "Curriculum Connections: The Latest Great Titles in Trade Alphabet Books." School Library Monthly, December 2010.
• "Recruitment to the Profession: A Form of Advocacy." School Library Monthly. June 2010.
• "Legislator in the Library Day: A Model for Legislative Advocacy." School Library Monthly. March 2010.
• "Notes from the Bullet Train: Communication with Administrators as a Key to Administrative Support." School Library Monthly. April 2010.
• "Math Curriculum Connection: Saving @ Your School Library." School Library Monthly. January 2010.
• "Making History: The Story of the Spokane Moms." School Library Monthly. April 2008.
• "Searching Our Souls: Advocating for the School Library Program." Medium. Spring 2007.
• "L is for Library." School Library Media Activities Monthly. November 1999.
• "A Good Book Is a Fine Thing". Tacoma School District Library, pamphlet, 1999+.
• "Holiday Picks" Readers' Theatre." School Library Media Activities Monthly. 1998.
• "Teachers' Perceptions of Creative Drama." Youth Theater Journal Spring 1994.
• PATHS Curriculum Bibliography, University of Washington, 1993.

Writing · Grant Writing

• Edited. Alternative Routes to Certification Block Grant, Professional Educators Standards Board, $500,000, due Oct. 2019, TBD award January 2020.
• Co-author. Alternative Routes to Certification Block Grant, Professional Educators Standards Board, $500,000, Oct. 2017. Awarded, 2018.
• Authored, Bringing 21st Century Skills to 21st Century Schools, Antioch University Seattle, Chancellor's Discretionary Academic Innovation Fund, $75,000, 2010. Awarded.
• Edited, Building the Promise, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Mansfield University Pennsylvania, $1 million, 2010. Awarded to Mansfield University, $500,000. Awarded.
• Authored, Building Inspired Library Leaders in Schools, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Antioch University Seattle in partnership with Mansfield University Pennsylvania, $1,000,000, 2009. Not funded.
• Co-authored, Building Leaders scholarship grant, Antioch University Seattle in partnership with Mansfield University Pennsylvania, Institute of Museum and Library Services, $1,000,000. Awarded.
• Authored, Integrating Art into the School Library Program, $450, 1998. Awarded.
• Project Write, Writing Curriculum Grant, 1978. Awarded.

Editing

• Edited, Kopeny, David. Tip of the Spear, publisher to be announced, 2024–2025.
• Guest Editor, Vanderbilt University's Peabody Journal of Education, April 2023 special issue on School Library Research.
• Guest Editor, Knowledge Quest. The Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. March–April issue, 2020.
• Associate Editor, Teacher Librarian: The Professional Journal for School Librarians. 2015–2022.

Writing · National Blogs, Brochures, Editorials & Reviews

• Kaaland, Christie, Shana Ferguson, Mark Ray, and Hillary Marshall. "Teacher Librarians: Digital and Instructional Partners During Remote and Hybrid Learning." Follett Learning. 2020.
• "What If Politics Were More Like Schools?" Tacoma News Tribune, full editorial, June 4, 2016.
• "Writing for Teacher Librarian" flyer and brochure for teacher librarians submitting for publication to Teacher Librarian.
• "School Librarians Embrace Technology, If the Budget Allows" — interviewed and quoted for National Broadcasting Service, June 2017.
• "Disaster Recovery for the School Library." Knowledge Quest blog, American Association of School Libraries, Sept. 21, 2017.
• "Dealing with the Administrator's Revolving Doors" on schoollibraryadvocacy.org, October 15, 2015.
• Bergin, Christi Crosby. Child and Adolescent Development in the Classroom. Cengage Publishers, 2015. Professional review.
• Regular contributing reviewer of children's literature, School Library Connection. ABC-CLIO Publishers, 2014–2024.

Website & Blog Design — School Library Advocacy

• School Library Advocacy, design and maintenance, schoollibraryadvocacy.org, 2015–2017.
• "Dealing with the Administrator's Revolving Doors" on schoollibraryadvocacy.org, October 15, 2015.

Professional Development · Conferences, Panels & Seminars

• Co-presenter with primary presenter, Deb Kachel, "SLIDE: School Librarians Investigation: Decline or Evolution." American Association of School Librarians conference, November 2023, Tampa, FL.
• Co-presenter with primary presenter, Deb Kachel, "SLIDE: School Librarians Investigation: Decline or Evolution." International Association of School Librarians conference, July 2022.
• Panelist, "Taking Our Case to Decision Makers: Effective State- and District-Level Advocacy." American Association of School Librarians biennial conference, Louisville, Kentucky, November 2019. (full conference session)
• "Communicating the Value of the School Library Program to Key Stakeholders." Puget Sound Educational Service District, April 21, 2018.
• "Grant Writing for School Libraries." Washington Library Association, Tacoma, WA, November 2017. (full conference session)
• "Grant Writing 101." American Association of School Librarians biennial conference, Phoenix, AZ, November 2017. (full conference session)
• Panel Contributor, "Writing for Publication in Professional Organizations." American Association of School Librarians biennial conference, Phoenix, AZ. (panel)
• "School Library Advocacy: LIT at Every Level." Washington Library Association conference, Des Moines, October 2, 2016, panelist.
• 2018 Best of Reference Award — appointment as judge and panelist, awarded by School Library Connection (SLC) and American Reference Books Annual (ARBA), May 2018. Award banquet: June 2018.
• Best of Reference Award — appointment as judge and panelist, awarded by School Library Connection (SLC) and American Reference Books Annual (ARBA), May 2016.
• "2016 School Library Advocacy Seminar: Montana (SLAM)." University of Montana, Bozeman, April 18, 2016.
• "Culturally Diverse Literature and Immigrant-Refugee Literature: Access for All." Professional development training, 50 librarians, Kent School District, April 18, 2016.
• "School Library Legislative Advocacy." Professional Development Workshop, Kent School District, March 26, 2016.
• "School Library Advocacy Issues and Answers." Professional Development Workshop, Kent School District, March 12, 2016.
• "Administrators as Collaborators: How to Build Lasting Partnerships in Your Building and at the District Office." Washington Library Media Association Conference, Yakima, WA, Oct. 2015.
• "WNDB: Librarians as Leaders in Promoting Diverse Children's Literature." Washington Library Media Association Conference, Yakima, WA, Oct. 2015.
• "The School Library as a Safe Haven for Disaster Preparedness and Recovery." Washington Library Media Association Conference, Yakima, WA, Oct. 2014.
• "Washington State Survey of Library and Information Technology: Survey Report." Washington Library Media Association Conference, Yakima, WA, Oct. 2014.
• "Tools for Advocacy and Survival." American Association of School Librarians Biennial Conference, Hartford, CT, November 2013.
• "Emergency Preparedness for the School Library." BEYOND WORDS federal grant preconference session, solo presenter. American Library Association Conference, Chicago, IL, June 2013, invited to present.
• Building Influence: Organizing for Political Action. American Association of School Librarians Biennial Conference, Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 2011.
• Support Emergent Readers' Literacy Skills Using Alphabet Books. Washington Library Media Association Conference, Seattle, WA, Oct. 2010.
• Hosting Legislator Visits in the School Library. Washington Library Media Association Conference, panelist, Seattle, WA, Oct. 2010.
• Lobbying Legislators. American Association of School Librarians Biennial Conference, Exploratorium, Charlotte, NC, Nov. 2009.
• Library Legislative Advocacy: Following Legislation Impacting School Libraries. Washington Library Media Association Conference, Yakima, WA, Oct. 2009.
• Inviting Diversity. Mansfield University Pennsylvania School Library and Information Technology annual faculty meeting, Mansfield, PA, August 2009.
• Lobbying Legislators: Lessons Learned. Washington Library Media Association Northwest Conference, Portland, OR, 2008.
• Building Library Advocacy. Washington Library Media Association Conference, Seattle, WA, 2007.
• Improving Reading Fluency. Washington Library Media Association Conference, Seattle, WA, 2003.
• Integrating Literature Across the Curriculum. Tacoma School District Professional Development Course, multiple presentations, 2001.
• Total Literacy Immersion. Washington Organization of Reading Development Conference, Seattle, WA, October 1999.
• Latest and Greatest: Great New Literature for the Upper Elementary Classroom. Tacoma District Professional Development Seminar, Elementary Teachers, Winter 1999.
• A Good Book Is a Fine Thing. Tacoma School District Professional Development Seminar, 1999+.
• Using Drama in Literature. Washington State Library Media Association Conference, Bellevue, WA, 1999.
• Invitations to Literacy. Tacoma School District Curriculum Office, Supplementary Literacy Program — Literacy Database: aligned district K-5 literacy curriculum with district-wide library collections to themes in Houghton-Mifflin Literacy Program, multiple presentations, 2003.

Political Activism & Community Volunteerism

• Act4SL, National School Library Advocacy Grassroots Organization, 2020–present.
• Member, Indivisible, Tacoma Washington, 2025–present.
• Co-Subcommittee Ad Hoc Director of Legislative Advocacy for passage of Senate Bill 5102, working with "Spokane Mom", Lisa Layera Brunkan, and Craig Seasholes — soliciting support (signatures, letters, calls) from librarians state-wide, Nov. 2021–2023.
• Testified, Washington State Senate's Early Learning and K-12 Education Hearing, Senate Bill 5102, April 23, 2023.
• Cofounder, Multicultural Children's Literature Celebration, a multi-day presentation to local and underserved schools promoting diverse authors and illustrators, 2014–2020.
• Participant activism in passage of Second Substitute Senate Bill 6362, 2018 — adding a separate line item in the state education budget (page 6) for school library materials, $20 per student.
• Lead activist in reinstatement of certification standards for school library certification, Pathways 3, Professional Educators Standards Board, Summer 2017.
• Membership, Friends of Tacoma Public Library, 2017–2019 (dissolved 2019).
• Participant activism in passage of Senate Bill 5294: An Act Relating to School Library Information and Technology Programs, Feb. 3, 2015 — renaming, defining the importance of, and describing the curriculum role of the teacher librarian in Washington Schools.
• Activist in instating Initiative 1351 — initiative defining the prototype school including requiring one librarian for every school over 400 students, 2015.
• Key activism in promoting House Bill 2695 — further deepening definition of the role of teacher librarian and defining prototype school, 2018. (replaced by SSB 6362)
• Key activism in inclusion of school library programs in the definition of "basic education" for the Washington Basic Education law, 2010.

Professional Experience · Program & Curriculum Development

• Program Director, Library Media Endorsement, current position, 2013–2023.
• Program Coordinator, MAEd with Library Media Endorsement, current position, 2015–2020.
• Facilitate program and coursework design for Library Media Instructors.
• Partnership with Oregon Department of Education to offer Library Endorsement to Oregon teachers, 2021–2025.
• Implemented Antioch University Seattle's first hybrid online program: Master of Arts in Education with Library Media endorsement, beginning 2011, funded through Chancellor's Innovation Grant.
• Designed Antioch University Seattle's first hybrid online program: Master of Arts in Education with Library Media endorsement, 2009–2011, funded through Chancellor's Innovation Grant.
• Designed Antioch University Seattle's Master of Arts in Education with Library Media endorsement, 2006+.
• Co-authored / committee member of Washington State's Library Media Endorsement Competencies, 2008.
• Authored and submitted for state accreditation, Antioch University Seattle's School Library Media Endorsement Competencies. Approved 2003, reapproved 2009.
• Tacoma School District, Tacoma, WA, 1992–2002 — Curriculum Specialist:
  • Designed and approved curriculum to supplement district literacy curriculum, 1992–2002.
  • Facilitated meetings and committees to integrate library resources with literacy curriculum, 1992–2002.
  • Integrating Children's Nonfiction Literature Into the Curriculum, Tacoma District's Professional Development Course: Elementary, Summer 2002.
  • Latest and Greatest: New Literature for the Upper Elementary Classroom, Tacoma District Professional Development Seminar, Elementary teachers, 1999.
  • Steps to Successful Collaborative Research Writing, Tacoma District Professional Development Seminar, Elementary teachers and librarians, 1997.

Antioch University Seattle · Teaching & Coursework

Signature Courses

• Selections for Collections: Selecting Children's and Adolescent Material for the School Library — MA Ed school library graduate course.
• Librarians as Curriculum and Assessment Leaders — MA Ed with library media, graduate course.
• Children's and Adolescent Multicultural Literature — undergraduate teacher certification program.
• Multicultural Literature in the K-8 Classroom, Children's and Young Adult Literature — undergraduate course.
• Child Development and Learning Theories — foundational course, graduate teacher certification program.
• Health, Fitness, and Safety: Content and Methods — graduate teacher certification program.
• Child Abuse and Neglect.

Courses Taught

• Curriculum and Instruction — foundational course, graduate teacher certification program.
• Inquiry Development — MA Ed with Library Media endorsement, school library graduate course.
• Literature: Exploring Lives through Stories — teacher certification undergraduate program.
• The Joy of Writing — teacher certification undergraduate program.
• Reflective Practice — teacher certification undergraduate program.
• Child Development and Learning Theories — foundational course, graduate teacher certification.
• Human Growth and Development — foundational course, undergraduate teacher certification program.

Professional Experience · Teaching

• Antioch University Seattle, Seattle, WA, 2000–2025 — Core Faculty:
  • Core courses, MA Ed with Library Media Endorsement.
  • Core Certification Courses, Graduate Teacher Preparation, Master of Arts in Teaching.
  • Core Certification Courses, Undergraduate Teacher Preparation.
• Tacoma School District, Tacoma, WA:
  • School Library Media Specialist.
  • Secondary English and Drama Teacher, Junior High and High School.
  • Language Arts Department Chair.

Research

Areas of focus: Illustrated Picture Books, We Need Diverse Books, Global Children's Literature, children's multicultural literature, alphabet books for emergent readers, school library legislative advocacy.

• Researched with Craig Seasholes and Jennifer Fukutaki to shepherd the Washington State School Library Impact Study from inception to completion, 2013–2015. Created the survey, sought and procured state support for implementation, administered survey with follow-up presentation of data.
• Served as Advisory Council Member for the SLIDE Research Project under Project Director Deb Kachel — "SLIDE: School Librarians Investigation: Decline or Evolution" — and presented research at International Association of School Librarians conference, July 2022.

Professional Partnerships

• Oregon Department of Education — offering school library endorsement program to Oregon teachers.
• Working with Oregon Association of School Librarians (OASL) to establish Oregon school library endorsement program.
• Kent School District Partnership — established academic partnership between Kent School District and Antioch University Seattle to provide the Library Media Endorsement to 22 new teacher-librarians, 2014–2021.
• Richland School District Partnership — established academic partnership between Richland School District and Antioch University Seattle to provide the MAEd with Library Media endorsement and partnership for application for IMLS scholarship, 2011.
• Columbia Basin University Partnership, Tri-Cities, Washington — established academic partnership with Memorandum of Understanding to provide Antioch University Seattle MAEd, 2011+.
• Mansfield University Pennsylvania Partnership — established academic partnership blending local expertise with Mansfield's national online program, 2005–2015.
• Tacoma School District Partnership — established academic partnership to provide the MAEd with Library Media endorsement on site in Tacoma and IMLS grant scholarship partnership, 2006–2010.

Awards

• Professor Emeritus, Antioch University Seattle, awarded 2026.
• Washington Library Association's Emeritus Lifetime Membership Award, awarded 2026.
• Washington Library Association President's Award, for Outstanding Contribution to the Washington Digital TeachKit, November 2021.
• Antioch University Seattle: Community Leadership and Outreach, for outstanding leadership in community and professional organizations, creating partnerships, expanding educational networking, and serving in leadership positions. May 2019.
• Antioch University Seattle: Catalysts of Collaboration Award for exemplary collaboration, 2012.
• Antioch University Seattle: Faculty Excellence Award, for outstanding contribution to the university, growth and development, 2009.
• Antioch University Seattle: The Horace Mann Award for volunteerism and victories for humanity, 2008. One faculty member selected annually; this was the second annual award granted.
• Golden Acorn Award, Browns Point Elementary, in recognition of outstanding community service, 1999.

Accreditation Work · State & National

• Contributing faculty member: Antioch University Seattle's Higher Learning Commission National Accreditation Report: Graduate Teacher Preparation, 2013.
• Contributing faculty member: Antioch University Seattle's OSPI Accreditation Report: Graduate Teacher Preparation, Fall–Spring 2011.
• Authored Antioch University Seattle's Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Report: Master of Arts in Education with Library Media endorsement, off-site campuses, Spring 2010.
• Served on Washington state committee developing Library Media Endorsement Competencies, 2007–2008.
• Authored Antioch University Seattle's School Library Endorsement Competencies, Spring 2003 — authored competencies and strategies for assessing competencies; approved Spring 2003 and Winter 2008.

School District Curriculum Writing & Program Design

• Renewal and update / redesigned: School Library Endorsement program, 2016–2018.
• Designed, piloted, evaluated, redesigned, improved, and launched the first hybrid online program for Antioch University's 5 campuses: Master of Arts in Education with Library Media Endorsement Program, 2010+.
• Designed and orchestrated Antioch University's Master of Arts in Education with School Library Media Endorsement Program in partnership with Tacoma School District, 2003–2008.
• Designed a program in partnership with Mansfield University Pennsylvania in a unique online and on-site hybrid model; aligned course content with state and national (AASL) competencies; recruited and advised all students through pilot program; recruited and trained all adjunct instructors.
• Authored Antioch University Seattle's School Library Endorsement Competencies, 2008 — authored competencies and strategies for assessing competencies; approved Winter 2008.
• Authored: A Good Book is a Fine Thing, online database and pamphlet, 2002. A database of children's literature for Tacoma SD collated by genre, author, title, and readability level and aligned with Washington's Essential Academic Learning Requirements Reading.
• Tacoma School District's Technology Framework, Curriculum Committee Chair, Summer 2001. Articulation of the framework of technology skills by grade level, K-12, as directed by Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements.
• Authored Tacoma School District's Invitations to Literacy Supplementary Literacy Program, 1997–2002 — integrated, annotated bibliographies of databases of Tacoma Public Library and Tacoma School District's library materials aligned with district's K-5 literacy curriculum; each grade level includes a 120–250 page comprehensive collection of supplementary materials compiled by theme/genre and aligned with Washington Essential Academic Learning Requirements.
• Chaired and co-authored Tacoma School District's Communication Skills Curriculum, 1996, Chair. A vertical articulation of integrative communication skills by grade level, K-12, as directed by Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements.
• Co-authored Tacoma SD's Library Information Skills Curriculum, 1993–1995. This comprehensive, standards-based library and information skills curriculum is delivered as an integrative continuum to be taught collaboratively between librarian and classroom teachers.
• Authored An Anthology of Women Writers (supplementary literature curriculum). A supplementary 7th–9th grade curriculum anthologizing contemporary literature authored by women; included all necessary components for a complete, quarter-long literature course.

Personal Writing

• Current project: writing the memoir of Lee "Bunyon" Woolard, 2026+.

Professional Contributions & Volunteer Work

• Friends of Tacoma Public Library, 2017–2019, until it dissolved.
• Multicultural Children's Literature Celebration, 2016–2020, until dissolved.
• Classroom/library volunteer, Greenlake Elementary School, 2012–2017, until grandkids moved on.
• Founding member, Act4SL (Act for Student Learning; Act for School Libraries), National Grassroots School Library Legislative Advocacy Group.
• Washington Library Media Association Executive Board, Advocacy Chair/Co-chair, 2007–2011.

Certification & Professional Organizations

• Program Administrators Certificate No. 190678C
• Washington State Teaching Certificate
• Washington Library Association
• Washington Library Media Association, board member, 2008–2011
• Oregon Association of School Librarians, 2019–2025
• American Association of School Librarians, member
• American Library Association, member