Chelsea Gifford

Community Engagement Specialist, TENNESSEE Save the Children
[email protected]
Chelsea Gifford is an alumna of Tennessee Technological University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Studies. She went on to receive a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Library Science and worked as an Assistant Director and Children’s Librarian for five years in a public library setting. Currently, Chelsea provides programmatic support around community work to improve kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading, and fifth-grade math proficiency in rural counties as an Advisor for Community Engagement with Save the Children US.

Melissa Sadorf

Superintendent, Stanfield Elementary School District
2020-2021 US Department of Education School Ambassador Fellow
National Rural Education Association (NREA) President-Elect
AZ ASCD Executive Director
NAU Rural Resource Center Executive Director

Dr. Melissa Sadorf currently serves as the Superintendent of the Stanfield Elementary School District. An educator at all levels for over three decades, Dr. Sadorf brings considerable expertise in leadership and teacher preparation, policy development and advocacy, and education in a variety of educational settings. Her commitment to giving back to the teaching profession has opened opportunities to mentor educators in both rural and urban settings, ensuring they gain the skills and background knowledge to hone their leadership. She serves as Part Time Faculty for Northern Arizona University and Central Arizona College in a variety of courses concentrated on teacher preparation and educational leadership. In the past decade, Dr. Sadorf has focused on advocating for rural education and rural leaders. In that venue, she is involved with local, state and regional organizations to help raise awareness on the unique challenges that rural educators face. She hosts a podcast that explores rural issues and also holds monthly superintendent virtual round tables to ensure rural voices are being heard. Dr. Sadorf serves as the President Elect of the National Rural Education Association and the President of the Arizona Rural Schools Association. She also is the Executive Director of the Northern Arizona University’s Rural Resource Center and of the Arizona ASCD Affiliate.

Shauntee Burns-Simpson

Associate Director of School Support & Outreach
MyLibraryNYC
Center for Educators & Schools
The New York Public Library
[email protected]

Shauntee Burns-Simpson (MLIS) currently serves as the 2020-2022 President of BCALA. She is the Associate Director of School Outreach for The New York Public Library. An ambassador for libraries and Youth Librarian, President Burns-Simpson enjoys connecting people to the public library and its resources. She works closely with at-risk teens and fosters a love of reading & learning with her innovative programs. In addition to leading BCALA, she chairs the American Library Association Office of Diversity, Literacy, & Outreach Services (ODLOS) Committee on Diversity.

Stacy Lane

Youth Services Librarian
Laurel Public Library
[email protected]

Stacy Lane is the youth services librarian at the Laurel Public Library. She began her librarian career during the COVID pandemic, while library doors were closed. She has since served as a rural library fellow for Partners In Education, helped create a Connected Learning toolkit for small and rural libraries with the University of Washington, and continues to champion for small, rural libraries. She holds a Master of Management in Library and Information Science degree from the University of Southern California. She resides in Delaware with her husband, two children, two dogs, and one cat.