Michael Allen Kelly, Teacher-Librarian​
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Michael Allen Kelly

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MSc Information Studies, Library Science

Nanyang Technological University, June 2017

BA Education, Special Education

Furman University, June 1991
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LinkedIn Profile

Librarianship

       As a Teacher Librarian I have had the unique opportunity to build a school library program from the ground up. Under my leadership a team of teachers and parent volunteers created a dynamic school library program. The library program we created was a central part of the students' elementary school life. We developed reading incentive programs, weekly storytime, author visits, and many other special events.
      The use of technology also played a crucial role in our library program. We established a iMac media lab, digital storytelling classes, and an e-book and audiobook library for our students. You can see more about the program on my projects page or you can also visit www.tokoslibrary.com .
      Another key aspect of any library program is the promotion and explanation of the role of the library in the school. To that end during my time at Tokyo Korean School library presentations were offered to parents and other stake holders. One such library presentation is viewable as a PDF here. 

Teaching

          As a former Special Education teacher my teaching practice begins with idea that every student is unique and deserves to have their emotional, social, and learning needs taken into consideration in every lesson.
        I have more than twenty years experience working with students ages five to eighteen. I worked for ten years as language arts teacher for students in grades 4, 5, and 6. I have also taught science and mathematics. I have experience both teaching and creating teaching materials to support the US common core standards and UK Key Stage 1 and 2 curriculum.
        I am a Google Certified Educator and as such am experienced in utilizing Google Classroom and Google Apps for Education within my classroom. I believe technology can serve as a valuable learning tool when its use is developed to support the curriculum. I have consistently put this belief and my technology skills to use in my classroom and am very proud of the work done by my students. Some of this work can be seen at my class website from Tokyo Korean School.
        As a Special Education Consultant in the United States Peace Corps I conducted teacher training focusing on writing individualized education plans and on classroom managment.
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Management & Leadership

          As the Library Coordinator at Tokyo Korean School I led a team of teachers in developing the school library program. Under my leadership the library program grew to include a creation space, multimedia production, an iMac media lab, weekly storytime, author visits, reading incentive programs, and after school program. The program was staffed by parent volunteers. In order to communicate with library stakeholders I wrote the Collection Development Policy for the library program.
​          I provided training and support to parent volunteers in various aspects of managing the school library. I also led professional development opportunities for teachers and worked collaboratively with them on integrating library resources into their lessons. In order to advocate for the further development of the library program, I led a team of teachers in conducting a research project into the effectiveness of school library programs. The paper titled On Common Ground: An Action Plan for Continued Improvement of the Tokyo Korean School Elementary Library was crucial in maintaining support for the development of the library program from library stakeholders. Additionally, I was responsible for writing and implementing the library program  budget each year. 
          I co-founded our school's branch of the local teacher's union. Through our efforts we improved communication with the administration, increased the professional development budget, and maintained the academic integrity of the English immersion program.

Professional History

Teacher Librarian 

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Nishimachi International School, Japan
​2016

Library Coordinator, Teacher

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Tokyo Korean School, Japan
​2006-2016

Kids Coordinator, Instructor

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Berlitz Incorporated, Japan
​2001-2006

Instructor

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AEON Corporation, Japan
​2000-2001

Small Business Owner

C&M Maintenance, USA
1997-2001

Special Education Teacher

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Greenville County Schools, USA
1991-1992, 1995-1997 ​

Consultant, Community Organizer

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United States Peace Corps, Costa Rica
1992-1994

Counselor

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Greenville Hospital System, USA
​1989-1992

Educational Background

MSc Information Studies, Library Science

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Nanyang Techonological University, Singapore
2017

Teacher Librarianship
Resourcing the Curriculum

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Charles Sturt University, Australia
​2012

BA Education, Special Education

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Furman University, USA
​1991

Professional Development

Google Education Fundamentals

Google for Education
​2017
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Librarian Intern

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ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
​2017

Research-Based Literacy Approaches for the Elementary Classroom

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ASCD Professional Development, Online
​2015

Facing our Challenges in Positive Ways

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American School in Japan, Tokyo
2014

Digital Storytelling

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American School in Japan, Tokyo
2013