About Sheila E. Michaels
Accomplishments
-
Founder of BookBag reading program, providing free books, food, hygiene items, period kits, and school supplies to Christian County families for every summer since 2021
-
Named Inaugural School Librarian of the Year for the State of Missouri, 2024 for my work in promoting literacy
-
Named Nexstar Media's Remarkable Woman of the Year 2024 for my dedication to the community and education
-
Launched a voter registration drive at Nixa High School my last year there, registering over 200 students and staff at the main high school campus and the SCORE Campus
-
Earned Master of Library and Information Science from Mizzou
-
Named and ALA Emerging Leader for 2022, worked with a team to write a national guide for school librarians
-
Appointed Team Leader of Reading Engagement on the Missouri Association of School Librarians Standards Task Force--wrote standards and framework to be adopted by DESE for use in school libraries across the state
One of my favorite photos from our Remarkable Women experience! It perfectly sums up the weekend: laughter, friends, sisterhood. #remarkablewomen
With 22 years of experience in public schools and libraries, Sheila Michaels has focused on meeting needs of Christian County families that go beyond traditional classroom and library resources. Recognizing that the community is centered on its schools, she dedicated her teaching career to preparing students for their future beyond high school and her library career to meeting students' needs through support services and literacy programs.
As a 20 year resident of Christian County, Sheila has raised both of her kids in public school and knows that families are the county’s most valuable asset. She believes in community service, giving, and helping to create a place where everyone feels valued.
Sheila holds a BA in English and Secondary Education, Masters in Education, and Masters in Library and Information Science. She has been recognized as an ALA Emerging Leader, served on the Standards Task Force to write library curriculum for the state of Missouri and the YALSA Presidential Initiative Implementation Task Force, and currently serves as the BookBag reading program director.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has given away thousands of books to children across the country, and her appearance was inspiring! It was such a joy to represent Missouri Association of School Librarians MASL as the School Librarian of the Year at this amazing event hosted by Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
"Through joy, kindness, and compassion, I'm proud of making reading and education for students a cornerstone of my life's work. And if I am fortunate to be your new Christian County Western District Commissioner, I will work with residents and families to make our beautiful community the best it can be."
-- Sheila E. Michaels
Speaker at YALSA's 2023 Young Adult Service's Symposium
Education
-
Master of Library and Information Science
2019-2021
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
-
Master of Arts in Education
2008-2010
Evangel University, Springfield, MO
-
Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education
1998-2001
Evangel University, Springfield, MO
Certifications
-
Career CPC: Library Media Specialist, K-12
-
Career CPC: English, 9-12
-
Career CPC: Language Arts, 5-9
Memberships
-
American Library Association
-
American Association of School Librarians
-
Young Adult Library Services of America
-
Missouri Association of School Librarians
-
Southwest Region Association of School Librarians
Professional Experience
-
Nixa Public Schools, Nixa, MO
-
Library Media Specialist, 2017-present
-
English Department Chair, 2013-2017
-
English Teacher, grades 9-12, 2004-2017
-
-
Exeter Middle School, Exeter, MO
-
Reading Teacher, grades 6-8, 2003-2004
-
-
Halfway Middle School and High School, Halfway, M
-
English Teacher, grades 8-12, 2002-2003
-
Professional Committees
-
Presidential Initiatives Implementation
Taskforce, 7/1/2023-present
Young Adult Library Services Association
(YALSA)
-
Reading Engagement Team Leader
Intellectual Freedom Committee, 2022-23
Missouri Association of School Librarians
(MASL)
-
Frances Henne Award Committee, 2022-24
American Association of School Librarians
(AASL)
-
Vital Voices Visionaries Program, 2022
Estee Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund
(ELELF)
-
Benjamin Franklin Awards Judge, 2022-24
Independent Book Publishers Association
(IPBA)
-
Missouri School Library Standards Task
Force, 2022-present
Missouri Association of School Librarians
(MASL)
-
Class of Emerging Leaders, 2022
American Library Association
(ALA)
-
Guiding Coalition, 2020-2023
Nixa High School
-
President-Elect, 2021-2022
Nixa Teachers Association
-
Gateway Award Committee, 2019-2020
Missouri Association of School Librarians
(MASL)
Awards and Honors
-
MASL School Librarian of the Year 2024 (Inaugural Award)
-
Nexstar Media Remarkable Woman 2024
-
AASL 2023 Toor Scholarship Winner for Strong Public-School Libraries, awarded to public school librarians who have created and implemented a local public awareness campaign
-
MAE 2022 Award for Best Literature Program for Teens, winner for developing an outstanding reading or literature program for young adults
Young Adult Library Services Association
-
TLC (Teacher/Librarian Collaboration) 2021 Award nominee
Missouri Association of School Librarians
-
Inaugural Librarian/Teacher Collaboration 2021 Award nominee
School Library Journal
-
Bright Idea 2021 Award winner for innovation in school library programming
Missouri Association of School Librarians
-
Scholarship 2021 Award for individuals pursuing a master’s degree in library science
Missouri Association of School Librarians
-
Lucille Marie Cobb 2020-2021 Memorial Scholarship
University of Missouri, College of Education