About Us

Founder: Dorcas Hand, a retired librarian of 38 years at all K-12 levels, is the founder of the TxASLTalks Blog. Currently she works in advocacy efforts for AASL and TASL. She also co-leads Students Need Libraries in HISD, working to raise awareness on the HISD school board of what librarians could do for district student achievement. Check out the SNL Facebook page as well. Her personal advocacy website is StrongSchoolLibraries, and her Twitter handle is @handdtx.

2020-21 Editorial Board

Chair: Julie Brem currently collaborates and engages with the learning community of Weiss High School in Pflugerville, Texas. She's been "librarian-ing" since 2007 at both the high school and middle school levels. Julie is the cofounder of the #NTXlib and #CTXlib professional learning networks, has served on the Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List committee, and is a Google Certified Trainer. Julie has fun with her twin sons, running, coffee, growing in knowledge and understanding through conversation, reading and research, and making, whether that be in within the realm of tech or DIY! Find her on Twitter @juliebrem.

Co-Chair: Amanda Hunt, aka TheNextGenLibrarian, is a 6th-8th middle school librarian in New Braunfels ISD. She’s been a librarian for a decade at both elementary and secondary campuses. She is the current chair for the Mavericks Graphic Novel Reading List Committee for TLA. She was the TLA TxASL MVP Honoree for 2021. Amanda has certifications in multiple #edtech tools and is a voracious reader. When she's not reading she's playing with her two dogs, dancing to TikTok trends and riding her Peloton! Visit her website: www.thenextgenlibrarian.com and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok @thenextgenlibrarian

Brooke Corso is a middle-school librarian at Pin Oak Middle School in Bellaire, Texas. She is in her eighth year as a librarian and previously taught English-Language Arts in her favorite 7th grade. She is also a writer and film critic and loves studying film across decades and genres. Her philosophy is called The Living Library, in which libraries are in a constant kinetic state of reflection and renewal in collection and design, fueled by student voice and engagement. She is passionate about advocacy within and for librarianship and the library as an integral part of student and campus growth. You can find her at bit.ly/pomsvirtual and Instagram @pomslibrary.

Donna Kearley has been the Library Coordinator in Denton ISD for 16 years.  She has been a member of TLA and TASL for more than 20 years.   When not active in the TLA community or working with the librarians in Denton, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, traveling, or reading a good book.

Kristen Shaheen is a middle school librarian in San Antonio, TX. She is in her 2nd year as a librarian, but this is her 12th year in education. Before becoming a librarian, she taught Comm Apps, English, Journalism, Speech and Debate, and AVID. She is bursting with ideas, so she is a big fan of collaboration. She is a big reader and loves to hear what others thought of books they checked out. When she is not roaming the shelves in her library, she is at home with her husband, two kids, and two cats.She has a cool butterfly garden and will drop anything to talk about bugs. You can watch her stumble around while figuring out social media on Instagram: @shaheenreads and Twitter: @vivashaheen

Deborah Zeman is a Library & Information Technology Educator in North Texas, who has worked in education for over 22 years. She has presented at various technology conferences and, with her increased involvement with technology in the classroom, has conducted several professional training & PD workshops, put on in-house, as well as helped with implementing iPads and laptops in a 1:1 environment. She is a member of the Texas Library Association Tayshas Reading Committee, Webmaster for TLA District 5 & a member of the TxSL Talks Executive Board. She is a Google Certified Trainer, Google Level 1 & 2 Certified, Flipgrid Certified Educator, Wakelet Ambassador and Buncee Ambassador. She loves to read YA, going to the beach when she can, and is getting used to being an empty nester with her husband Greg. You can reach her on Twitter: @DebZemanLMS or Instagram: @debzemanlms