Curriculum Vitae

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photo of James Allen in the Eminence Independent school library

I am currently the Statewide School Library Lead for the Kentucky Department of Education in the Office of Education Technology. Previously I was a school librarian for sixteen years. My professional goal is to be in a position where I can help provide students with unique learning experiences that will expand their thinking on perspectives, mindsets, and possibilities. I am also passionate about helping teachers learn tools, ideas, and strategies that make learning more engaging and fun. I am an organizer and regular moderator of #KyLChat which gives librarians across Kentucky a place to share and explore new ideas.

Professional Organizations

COUNCIL OF STATE SCHOOL LIBRARY CONSULTANTS

Kentucky Representative 2019 – present

Future Ready Librarians

Future Ready Librarian Advisory Board 2022 – present

ISTE COMMUNITY LEADERS

ISTE Community Leader 2020 – present

ISTE LIBRARIANS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORK

ISTE Lib Leadership Team (Communications) 2019 – 2020

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of SCHOOL LIBRARIANS

AASL Practice Committee – 2022 – present
AASL Best Apps for Teaching & Learning Committee Chair – 2017
AASL Best Apps for Teaching & Learning Committee Member – 2016
AASL Affiliate Assembly Representative 2015 -2016

KASL – KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS

Member since 2012
5th District President – 2013
KASL President-Elect – 2015
KASL President – 2016
KASL Past-President – 2017
KASL Publications Chair – 2018 – 2019
KASL KDE Information Resources Consultant 2019 – present

Recognition

  • ISTE Librarians PLN Primary Award – 2019
  • Kentucky School Media Librarian of the Year – 2018
  • Teacher of the Year, Eminence Independent Schools – 2018
  • Google Earth Education Expert – 2018
  • Google Education Innovator – Toronto, 2016
  • PBS Digital Innovator – 2015

Presentations

ISTE Live 2021

KySTE 2020

ISTE 2019 – PHILADELPHIA

TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 2019 – AUSTIN

ISTE 2018 – CHICAGO

  • #KyGoPlay Poster Session
  • ISTE Lib Playground – Bloxels
  • ISTE Lib Playground – CoSpaces EDU
  • Making CAN Make a Difference – EdTechTeam Booth

KASL SUMMER REFRESHER 2018

  • Let’s Get Certified (Google Level 1 Workshop)
  • Making Can Make a Difference
  • Gamify Your Classroom with Bloxels

INNOVATIONS FOR LEARNING CONFERENCE  – JUNE 2018

  • Google Earth and Google Geo Tools
  • Digital Storytelling

KYSTE SPRING CONFERENCE – MARCH 2018

  • Moving Beyond the Selfie: Photography Skills to Improve Your Instruction

IRVINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – FEBRUARY 2018

  • Leverage the Power of Google Earth
  • Making Can Make a Difference
  • Telling Stories With Technology

SOUTHERN KENTUCKY SUMMIT – EDTECHTEAM OCTOBER 2017

  • Google Earth & National Geographic
  • Makerspace Inspiration

GOOGLE GEO TEACHER INSTITUTE – MT. VIEW – JULY 2017

KASL SUMMER REFRESHER – JULY 2017

  • Moving Beyond the Selfie
  • Awesome & Easy Website Building

INNOVATIONS FOR LEARNING CONFERENCE JUNE 2017

  • Google Tools

KYSTE SPRING CONFERENCE – MARCH 2017

  • The Eminence Schools EDhub ‐ A Virtual Tour

EDCAMPNKY – MARCH 2017

  • Procreate App

KENTUCKY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE – SEPTEMBER 2016

  • KyGoPlayGround

EDCAMPKY – JULY 2016

SCHOOL LIBRARY PD – CONKWRIGHT ELEMENTARY – JUNE 2016

  • Copyright, Fair Use, Creative Commons, Creative Commons Resources, Google Keep
  • Next Vista for Learning http://www.nextvista.org/, Youtube audio library, sound effects, Flickr Commons, Photos for Class, Google Photos, Google Calendar, Canva, Makerspace ideas

KYSTE SPRING CONFERENCE – MARCH 2016

  • “Don’t Mine at Night” ‐ MinecraftEDU Tips, Tricks, Fun, & Learning!
  • KyGoPlayGround

LOUISVILLE GOOGLE APPS FOR EDUCATION SUMMIT – OCTOBER 2015

  • Tech Tools for Your Library

KENTUCKY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE – SEPTEMBER 2015

  • KyGoPlay (co-presenter)

INTEGRATE, INNOVATE, MOTIVATE – OLDHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS – AUGUST 2015

  • Canva is Awesome

KASL SUMMER REFRESHER – JULY 2015

  • Technology to Improve Your Library

EDCAMPKY – JULY 2015

TECH TEACH LEARN – KENTUCKY COUNTRY DAY – JUNE 2015

  • Tech tools to improve your library
  • Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Google Forms (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)

MURRAY STATE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS SUMMIT – JUNE 2015

  • Twitter for Educators
  • Tech Tools for Your Library

KYSTE SPRING CONFERENCE – MARCH 2015

  • Tech Tools to Improve Your Library

EDCAMPNKY – FEBRUARY 2015

  • Nutshell Camera

EDCAMPKY – THOMAS NELSON HIGH SCHOOL – OCTOBER 2014

KENTUCKY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE – SEPTEMBER 2014

  • Connected Librarian (co-presenter)

INNOVATE, INTEGRATE, MOTIVATE – OLDHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS – AUGUST 2014

  • Use Twitter to Expand Your PLN
  • Tame your social media  and news feeds with Flipboard
  • Cloud-based Storage

WALTON VERONA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY – AUGUST 2014

  • Google Drive and Tools
  • Google Earth and Maps

KASL SUMMER REFRESHER – JULY 2014

  • #PLN Power on Twitter

KYSTE SPRING CONFERENCE – MARCH 2014

  • Twitter for Educators – Basics and Beyond
  • Birds of a Feather: Electronic Books/Texts in the Library/School (co-presenter)

OLDHAM COUNTY TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE – OCTOBER 2013

  • Twitter

KASL SUMMER REFRESHER – JULY 2013

  • Twitter Tips and Tricks

Publications

SCHOOL LIBRARY CONNECTION

February 2019 In What Areas Are You Considered to Be an Expert?

December 2018 How Do You Use Gaming in Your Library?

October 2018 So Many Ways to Collaborate

August 2018 What’s Your Must-Do Summer Recharge Activity?

KNOWLEDGE QUEST (AASL)

September/October 2017 Moving Forward – School Library Experiences Beyond the Expected

KENTUCKY TEACHER

November 2017 #KyLChat provides a statewide school librarian professional network

September 2017 A new kind of library (misquoted paragraph 3)

January 2016 James Allen believes in sharing his passion for school libraries

February 2015  Improving their schools, one tweet at a time

November 2014 Edcamp light on structure, heavy on learning