Somerset Media Specialist Named Maryland School Librarian of the Year

Tracy Jeffcott, media specialist at Somerset Elementary School, has been named the 2017–2018 Maryland School Librarian of the Year. The award is given by the Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL) to honor a librarian for exemplary service and outstanding achievements in the field of school library media.

She works collaboratively with classroom teachers to support the integration of information literacy skills into daily instruction. She uses GSuite (formerly Google Apps for Education) to maximize collaboration, instruction and student engagement. She created a dynamic Makerspace for all students to engage in independent STEAM-related inquiry. She serves on the school leadership team, administrative core team, and STEM professional learning community. She is the representative for elementary school media specialists on the Montgomery County Education Association’s Councils on Teaching and Learning, and a member of the Montgomery County Educational Media Specialists’ Association. For the last three years, Jeffcott has worked as a mentor to first-year media specialists.

She has spent summers participating in curriculum summits to create instructional resources for MCPS elementary educators. In October 2016, Jeffcott was honored to host media specialists from around the country as a part of the School Library Journal Leadership Summit tour. She facilitates professional development for Somerset staff members and other MCPS employees.

Jeffcott teaching a class at Somerset

During the 2017–2018 school year, Jeffcott began working with MASL members to build a professional development committee focused on supporting media specialists around the state of Maryland.

Jeffcott was born and raised in North Canton, Ohio. She received an early childhood education bachelor’s degree from Miami University (Ohio), a master’s of library science from the University of Maryland, and is working on an administration certification through Hood College. She began her career teaching third grade.

“Tracy’s dedication to her students and librarianship was evident in everything she does,”
said Awards Committee Chairperson Melissa McDonald. “As a former elementary classroom teacher, she brings strong pedagogy to her school library program. She jumped on the Maker Movement, and is a “maker leader” in Montgomery County Public Schools, as she shared what she learned when creating a makerspace that encouraged independent STEM opportunities for students and school. She works hard to build relationships with her students and colleagues and is a wonderful example of an educator. She is an exemplary leader within her school, her school system and the profession of librarianship.”

Board Approves Two Administrative Appointments

At its May 8 business meeting, the Board of Education approved two administrative appointments:

• Elizabeth L. Thomas, Principal, Quince Orchard High School
• Matthew A. Devan, Principal, Twinbrook Elementary School