Elissa Malespina

Instructor/Presenter Information
Elissa Malespina
Instructor/Presenter Bio

Elissa Malespina is currently the head and only librarian at Union High School in Union NJ. Elissa's diverse experiences have provided her with a unique perspective on working with students and teachers. She is passionate about integrating new technologies into the curriculum and coming up with innovative ways to keep students engaged. Her work has been featured in NPR, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and the PBS Documentary Film School Sleuth: The Case of The Wired Classroom.

Elissa is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and has presented at numerous conferences across the country, including ISTE, School Library Journal Summit, Follett Future Ready Institute, and NJASL, among others. She is also a prolific writer and has contributed articles to School Library Connection and School Librarians Workshop.

Elissa has been recognized for her contributions to education with numerous awards and honors, including induction into the 2022 Movers and Shakers Class, being named a Top 100 EDTech Influencer by EdTech Digest, and receiving the 2014 Bammy Award from the Academy of Education Arts and Science. Her work as a teacher librarian has also earned recognition, including the 2013 Jean Harris School Progressive Library Program of the year by the New Jersey Association of School Librarians.

Elissa is a devoted mother to a college student at Ithaca College, an educational advocate and activist, and a gardener. In her spare time, she also serves on the South Orange/Maplewood School District. She is the only school librarian who is also a school board member in the State of NJ and one of the few in the United States.

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