All About Mrs. Link

Hello My Library Friends,

Welcome to the "All About Me Page!"  Let me tell you just a little about myself.  I graduated from Southern Illinois Univesity Carbondale with a degree in elementary education in 1994.  I began my first year of teaching as a K-8 Art teacher.  I happen to minor in art education, so I was happy to accept the position.  The following year I moved into a 5th grade teaching position and have been in an elementary or middle school evironment ever since. I was a classroom teacher for 15 years in a multitude of grades (3rd-8th). 

In 2003 I finished my Master's of Education in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a specialty in reading and writing.  All throughout my teaching career I have had a deep passion for getting kids to love reading.  I stocked my classroom library with the newest books and revered classics, teaching my kids how to maneuver through great books while guiding deep, thoughtful discussion.  In 2009 I made the decision to begin taking courses through the University of Missouri Columbia in Information Science and Learning Technology.  With the most awesome luck ever in May of 2011, I was asked to join the Bristol staff as their new Library Media Specialist!  And, even better, who knew that I would meet one of my all time favorite authors ever--Mr. Jon Sciezska?  Yep, that's him right up there in that photo posing with me.  Best day ever!

In 2009 I made the decision to leave the classroom and learn the skills and begin the work of becoming a school librarian. Now, I am happily surrounded by books and "selling" great books to my students. I am honored to work as the Bristol Library Media Specialist and hope to entice and enlighten you with new and exciting learning landscapes all while digging into some most excellent books!

All About My Family

I would be in big trouble if I did not mention my family (of readers).  I am married to Todd Link (and have been for 16 years).  Todd enjoys reading non-fiction books.  We have four children.  Twins, Caroline and Betsy-12, Jack-10, and Kate-4.  Caroline loves realistic fiction, Betsy and Jack devour fantasy,  and Kate loves anything with princesses.  They all enjoy books just as much as their mom (who loves mostly realistic fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, and non-fiction)! 

You may wonder why I took a family picture in a cemetery?  Well, we were visiting the great American writer, Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, and we ended up at one of the oldest cemeteries in the town...