My name is Michaele (pronounced ‘My-kul,” like Michael Jordan) Sommerville, and I am Bradley Elementary School's Library Media Specialist.  We are going to have a wonderful year reading, listening, exploring, researching, sharing, and selecting books and other resources that will support our interests and help us continue to cultivate our love of learning!

This is my thirtieth year in education, having taught in Alaska, New Mexico, and Kansas. I graduated from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, earned my Master's Degree in Educational Technology from Pittsburg State University, and spent twenty-five years as a kindergarten teacher.  I have actively continued my professional development while raising three children with my husband, a retired Army MP SGM. I am an advocate for children, developmentally appropriate practice, and intellectual freedom. I maintain professional memberships in the ALA (American Library Association), KLA (Kansas Library Association), and SITE (Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education). I was honored to be selected as our district's nominee for the 2012 Kansas Teacher of the Year Award.

I believe in building respectful, caring, and joyful relationships full of humor with students, families, and staff, as working together creates a wonderful school experience for all!  To support academic and social-emotional learning and make our library a welcoming and engaging learning space, I provide multi-sensory activities and lessons aligned with the Kansas Curricular Content Standards for Library and Information Technology.  Students are encouraged to explore and express their ideas, feelings, and questions, and will have opportunities to increase their intrinsic motivation as learners during visits to our library.  Students who miss their class's scheduled visit to the library due to absence, "fast finishers" ready for another book, or readers still trying to find a "just right" book will have the opportunity to visit the library multiple times each week during our Speedy Reader block. 

More information about grade level schedules, book fairs, and other announcements will be added to this page via posts or links.  And remember: the Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) is also available in support of Fort Leavenworth soldiers and families!

HAPPY READING!

Michaele Sommerville

Email: [email protected]