The following is a press release from the Kent School District.

Teacher-librarian Mary (Mimi) Vosper of Grass Lake Elementary School is the Washington Library Association (WLA) Outstanding Teacher Librarian of the Year.

This award recognizes teacher-librarians who advocate passionately for reading and learning, engage in innovative learning opportunities and demonstrate leadership in the greater school community.

Vosper was nominated by Sarah Stoddard, a teacher-librarian/tech integration specialist, because she has been instrumental in helping shape the district’s Library Media program and she is a crucial mentor for other teacher-librarians across the district.

Vosper also supports the work of teacher-librarians at the state level and is a powerful advocate of children’s literacy.

Vosper has been with the Kent School District for 17 years where she is coordinator of the Battle of the Books initiative in which over 3,000 elementary students participate districtwide. She also serves on the Washington Children’s Choice Picture Books Award committee.

The WLA recognized Vosper at the WLA Fall Conference Saturday, November 4, at the School Library Awards Lunch and Business Meeting.