Amy Penwell

Amy Penwell is a school library media specialist with a passion for free choice reading,
information literacy, and intellectual freedom. She has over 10 years of experience as a school
librarian, technology teacher, and gifted and talented teacher. She strives to make the library a
student-centered place of inquiry and learning that fosters effective and discerning use of
information. She is a leader of the NJASL/NJLA Regional Response Team.
Throughout her career Amy has sought to use technology to engage students and teachers.
She is driven by creating authentic student inquiry learning opportunities, and views the library
as a unique resource every school requires for fostering effective life-long learners.

As an advocate for intellectual freedom and students’ right to read, Amy is dedicated to building
relationships with librarians, teachers, and administrators to create a supportive school-wide
eco-system that ensures all students have access to resources and literature that allow them to
be safe and seen, creating knowledge, building analytical thinking skills, and developing
empathy and compassion.