background

F

rom 1980 to 2004, Sarah Chauncey worked as a business strategist, system’s analyst, computer consultant, and web developer implementing high-profile applications for major corporations including Morgan Guaranty, First Boston, Citicorp, Equitable Life, Newsweek and for several small businesses.

As a technical instructor, she wrote and presented technical training courses to companies in the Northeast.

Between 1989 to1993, as Vice President and co-owner of StarTech Software Systems, Inc., she co-developed and marketed a report management and distribution system which was used by companies in the United States, Europe, and Mexico. 

Education

BA ~ English and Education (Summa cum laude),
MLS ~ Syracuse University's School of Information Studies (Summa cum laude)
MBA ~ NYU Stern School of Business / Computers & Systems (Magna cum laude)

Doctorate of Professional Studies in Information Management -
Syracuse University's School of Information Studies
Candidate - August 2009-In-Process

A Career Change Memoir...

In 2004, I made a major career decision. I decided to combine my technical and business expertise with my commitment to public education and continue the next phase of my career as a library media specialist. I created an online portfolio and sent the link with a cover letter to school districts in Rockland County.  By the end of August, I was offered the position of School Library Media Specialist at Grandview Elementary School (K-3) in the East Ramapo School District. 

First Days

I will never forget the day I was escorted to the library at Grandview. The room felt heavy, gray, and cluttered.  I remember thinking – boy does this place need Feng Shui. I wandered around and took a couple of books from the shelves – they were worn and not grade-appropriate.  There was a large desk in the middle of the room blocking shelves which held picture books by authors U-Z.  There was no technology.  I sat behind the desk and thought, “What have I gotten myself into?”  I began opening drawers – surely I’d find some clues to my question, "What do librarians do these days?”  I opened a file box that held index cards with little checkmarks indicating that magazines had arrived successfully in September, October…  I thought, “Every month has a checkmark – all magazines, for more than one year, made it to the library.”  I made an executive decision -- don’t worry about the magazines – the magazines will make it – and what’s the worse thing that could happen if a magazine doesn't show up one month?  I chucked the index cards into the trash can.  With that one act, I felt empowered to set a new course, lay out some goals, and get started.  I decided to view this job as one of those consulting challenges – figure out what’s working, what isn't working, and get things on track.  But I knew I couldn't work on “school time”, I had to work at a pace that made me feel comfortable – fast.  

The first thing I did was get rid of the desk – it was removed the third day. Then I wrote out goals for the year which were, in a nutshell: clean, weed, develop, and automate the book collection; ask for an interactive white board and at least four computers; use my own notebook computer until I could purchase one; build a library website as my communications and management center; and find out how I could support and collaborate with classroom teachers.  

Week one came to a close.  I knew what I’d gotten myself into – and it was good.

Presenting the Plan

I presented a special story and my goals to principal, Dr. McCarthy.  I had written the story, “Reading and Children” years ago. The story helped me to communicate the importance of sharing stories with children. After listening, she asked that I meet with each grade level to share what I’d presented to her.  On the third day, the teachers trooped in one grade at a time.  We sat around a table and I shared the “Reading and Children” story and my goals for the year. While technology would play a big part in the library program, everything was about literacy, not technology.  Technology was easy for me – putting technology to use to promote literacy would be the focus and challenge.

One teacher did ask me if I was serious about accomplishing those goals in one year.  She reminded me that this was a school system – not the business world.  The warning was a good one – I’d probably have to invest more than time to kick-start the effort – the goals would be accomplished.
 

TECHNOLOGY TIMELINE

SOFTWARE:

Fall 2004

1. Macromedia Studio – Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash
2. Microsoft Publisher
3. Inspiration
4. MS Office – Access, Powerpoint, Excel
5. Visual Basic (VB.Net / ASP.Net)
6. SQL Server
7. Website to support library program – www.grandviewlibary.org
8. Voxproxy – 3D animated characters for Powerpoint
9. MP3 conversion software – used to convert output of mini-digital recorders
10. Windows Movie Maker

Spring 2005

Click to View

Click to View

1. Visual Communicator (Serious Magic) – Video & Audio Creation - (my purchase) 

Spring 2006

1. Audacity  – another version of podcast creation software

Fall 2006

1. Programming for Web-Based Project Organizers

Summer 2006

1. Adobe Premiere – Video, Audio, high end editor

Spring/Summer 2006

1. Under Development - www.DigitalPencil.org
2. Web-Based Project Organizers - upgraded to support multiple schools / teachers / classes
3. Digital Journal under development

Fall 2007

1. Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 - Video, Audio

HARDWARE:

Fall 2004

1. 2 Sony mini-digital audio recorders - (my purchase)
2. Headphone/Microphone combo – pc – (my purchase)
3. Castblaster – Podcast creation software – (my purchase)
4. Notebook Computer - (my own)
5. Digital Camera - (my own)
6. Sound Stage Sound System with four microphones (my purchase)
7. Interactive White Board Installed
8. 4 Desktop Computers
9. 2 Scanners – (1 my own)

Spring 2005

1. 2nd Notebook Computer – (purchased via a raffle)
2. Logitech Webcam with built in microphone - (my purchase) 

Summer 2005

1. Library Automation Completed –Workstation/Scanner Installed
2. Digital Video Camera

Summer 2006

1. Grandview Library awarded 2 grants totaling $9,500
   ~ from Johnson Controls & Senator Thomas Morahan
   • 3 Smart Boards will be put in classrooms – 64” (One in each: K, 1, 2)
   • A second Smart Board in Library – 77”
   • Mini-Digital Recorders
   • Elmo TT02 Document Viewer
2. US Department of Education Awards $290,350
   ~ to 5 Primary School Libraries in East Ramapo to invigorate our libraries with
   new books and technology.
3. Cataloged Teacher Professional Collection - PDF Searchable Web-Based access

Fall 2006

1. 24 Laptop-Cart
2. Elmo TT02u Document Viewer placed in a 2nd grade classroom

Spring 2007

1. Interlink GoSpeak!- Ultra-Portable Amplification System
2. Keyboard & Instruments for 24 students - For Music & Literacy - Kickoff Fall 2007

Fall 2007

1. 10 Reading Pens from Nasco - to support struggling readers.
2. 2-3 SmartBoards to placed in 3rd Grade Classrooms
3. Elmo TT02u available to another "Smart Classroom" (to be assigned)