Angel Hernandez
December 1 - February 28, 2017

Hello everyone! My name is Angel Hernandez, Director of Marketing and Publicity for DCLA, and I am passionate about libraries and education! As a lifelong learner, researcher, educator, and librarian, I believe that libraries are continuously evolving and changing their role in our community. It is my goal to be part of this "library revolution" and help improve education and transform libraries into something more than just the place with books around the corner; to further the advancement of academics and pedagogy, to contribute to the innovation of libraries and science, and to serve the community through developments in technology and education as a teaching professional.

I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but I was raised here in Miami. I graduated from Miami Senior High School, and received my Bachelor's Degree in Composition from the University of Florida. I have been a public school teacher for about 5 years. I am certified in English, Music, and as an Educational Media Specialist and have served as Librarian, Media Specialist, English Teacher, Music Teacher, and Technology Teacher for both Miami Dade County Public Schools and Broward County Public Schools.

As a school librarian at the primary level, I taught technology and provided library instruction for grades PK-5 as well as children in the Head Start program. Grades PK – K were exclusively children with disabilities which included mild to severe autism. Some children were completely non-verbal. As such, I was tasked with developing activities that would promote communication and tactile use of technology and library resources. During Technology classes, I taught coding and promoted Code.org’s “Hour of Code” school-wide. As part of the coding initiative, I created and led the Video Game Development program where students in 4th and 5th grade electives had the opportunity to create their own video game using MIT’s Scratch software and Minecraft EDU and showcased their work at Engineering is Elementary (EIE). I was also in charge of TV Production, BECON’s Distance Learning, the Accelerated Reader program (AR), and partnered with Captain Barrington’s Flying Classroom Foundation. As a media specialist at the secondary level, I taught research and information literacy, grades 9-12, and AP Capstone Seminar to 10th grade students and partnered with NCSS's Close-Up Washington DC program. I was also the high school advisor/sponsor for the "Anime Nation" club. In 2013, I won the Laura Busch Foundation Grant for Libraries and, in 2014, I was awarded the "Rookie Teacher of the Year" award.

I am currently working at an academic library as an Associate Instructor for Miami Dade College’s Learning Resources at the Hialeah Campus and I am also enrolled as a student at Florida State University's Library and Information Science master's program.

Three words that describe you:
Creative, Resourceful, Diligent

What do you most like about working in libraries?
The opportunity to serve and positively influence the community.

How long have you been a member of DCLA?
0 to 5 years

Share a library program or service that you are excited about:
I am excited to see the outcome of the next Knight News Challenge for Libraries. Last year's challenge, "How might libraries serve 21st century information needs?", brought about the perfect brainstorm of wonderful ideas and truly creative proposals to the transformation of libraries. About 600 proposals were submitted and $1.6 million were spent on funding 14 of these marvelous ideas. I can't wait to see what new concepts and unique collaborations emerge out of the next challenge for libraries!