PRESIDENT: KAREN GRANT PRESIDENT@NJASL.ORG

Karen Grant, MEd, MLIS has been a media specialist for the Ewing Township Public Schools since 2015. She began her career in education as a special education teacher in the district. Her experiences with struggling readers over the years led her to become a reading specialist. In this role, Karen realized the depth of her love of literature and information literacy. With the encouragement of a beloved school librarian and colleague, she began her studies at Rutgers University to become a librarian. Today, Karen is honored to lead the board as well as the team of volunteers that makes NJASL the vibrant, impactful organization it is today. 

PRESIDENT ELECT: GABRIELLE CASIERI PRESIDENTELECT@NJASL.ORG

Gabrielle “Gab” Casieri (she/her) was inspired to pursue her MLIS while volunteering in her children’s elementary school library. Gab graduated from Rutgers School of Communication, Information and Library Science (SCILS) in 2009. She worked in the Fine Hall Library at Princeton University and the Hopewell Branch of the Mercer County Library System before landing her dream job at Lawrence Intermediate School in 2011. Gab previously chaired the NJASL Standards Subcommittee, the Annual Conference Signage Committee, and was selected as the Ruth Toor Outstanding School Library Media Specialist of 2022. She is passionate about connecting students and staff with books they love to foster lifelong literacy and advocates for mental health for everyone.

VICE PRESIDENT: IVETH MOLLINEdo YELEGEN  VP@njasl.org

Iveth Mollinedo Yelegen began her career as a 3rd-grade teacher and after 4 years in the classroom, transitioned into the role of School Library Media Specialist. Her entire experience in education has been in the school and district she attended as a student- Cliffside Park in Bergen County NJ. She earned her B.A in Early Childhood Education/Spanish Language and Literature and her M.A. in Educational Technology with SLMS certification from New Jersey City University. She recently earned her MLIS Degree from San Jose State University. She is a library enthusiast and has also worked part-time in numerous public libraries for the past 15 years. Aside from being a librarian, some of her favorite hobbies are cooking, crafting, trying new "eats" and spending time with her family and newborn.

Secretary: Jessica Piazza  secretary@njasl.org

Jessica Piazza began her career in education as an Early Childhood Educator in 2004 and spent twelve years as a classroom teacher, until she became a School Library Media Specialist/STEAM teacher at Harmony Township School in 2016. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and her teaching credentials through The College of New Jersey. She also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Technology with a Specialization in School Library Media through New Jersey City University. Recently, she has presented several professional development workshops locally regarding the integration of technology and literature in the classroom and beyond.

Treasurer: April BArry treasurer@njasl.org

April Barry (Bunn) completed her MLIS at Rutgers, serving as the student liaison to NJASL’s Board, launching her into committee and leadership roles. She’s grateful to have been selected as an ALA Emerging Leader Class of 2008, sponsored by NJASL, and the Villy Ghandi Leadership Scholarship. She previously served on several committees and the Executive Board, including Conference Chair in 2011, just as extreme state budget cuts forced her back into the classroom. She worked part-time at Red Bank Public LIbrary and restarted her SLMS career at Red Bank Regional High School in 2017. If she’s not planning her next trip, April’s probably outside hiking or cycling. She’s grateful to be back serving NJASL. 

Member-at-Large:  joyce soto  membersatlarge@njasl.org

 MEMBER-AT-LARGE: Darla Kaminsky 

Darla Kaminsky began her journey in the school library working as a library aide. Inspired by the amazing librarian Gail Bogan, she pursued her dream of becoming a school librarian. After thirteen years and completing the M.Ed program at William Paterson University, Darla is living that dream. She's had the privilege of working in various school libraries, currently in the Parsippany Troy Hills School District, collaborating with talented librarians. In 2022, she was honored as Teacher of the Year at Lake Parsippany Elementary School. At home, she's supported by her loving husband, funny children, a silly dog, and a lazy cat. Her hobbies include gardening and her favorite exercise is reading. 

Immediate Past President: Beth Raff  pastpresident@njasl.org

Beth is a graduate of Cornell University (BA), Rutgers University Graduate School of Education (M.Ed) and Rutgers School of Communication and Information (MI). After teaching fifth grade in the Hillsborough Township public schools for many years, Beth pursued a degree and career as a school librarian. Currently, she is the media specialist at Mt. Tabor Elementary School in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District.  Beth as been selected as an Emerging Leader 2019 by the ALA and sponsored by NJASL. The project, “Developing Inclusive Learners and Citizens,” can be found here. Beth is the proud mother of two adult sons, Joshua and Benjamin, and her husband, Steve, is a high school math teacher.