Meet our Judges!!
Round 1: March 3- March 10
Kathleen Anderson
Retired English Teacher and High School Principal (Frewsburg CSD) serving as Interim CTE Principal at LoGuidice (E2CCB)
Since my earliest days I was most at home in a library. I love reading so much that during Regents week I had to have my mother hide my books or I would read instead of studying for my exams. Primarily I read fiction, but on occasion pick up a biography. I like strong characters and mostly those who are facing challenges in a current setting. When I was in the classroom teaching English, my all time favorite book was The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton because it thrilled my students and they always kept up with the assignments. I think my love of reading could be summed up by a quote I read on a bookstore shopping bag, "When I have money I buy books. If any is left, I buy food."
Retired English Teacher and High School Principal (Frewsburg CSD) serving as Interim CTE Principal at LoGuidice (E2CCB)
Since my earliest days I was most at home in a library. I love reading so much that during Regents week I had to have my mother hide my books or I would read instead of studying for my exams. Primarily I read fiction, but on occasion pick up a biography. I like strong characters and mostly those who are facing challenges in a current setting. When I was in the classroom teaching English, my all time favorite book was The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton because it thrilled my students and they always kept up with the assignments. I think my love of reading could be summed up by a quote I read on a bookstore shopping bag, "When I have money I buy books. If any is left, I buy food."
Amy Bartell, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
Staff Development Specialist
Since I was a young child, reading - to me - was a romantic experience. I loved to find book nooks in quiet corners of my backyard under thick bushes or create a hide-a-way forts in the forest behind my childhood home to get lost in a great story. It was this love of reading and the art of storytelling that makes me passionate that every child has the human right to learning to read. I enjoy reading everything from professional journals to a good science fiction novel, and when I connect with a good story or text, I have a very difficult time putting it down. This leads to hours of reading in my bathtub turning into prune just to find out what happens next, and next, and next! Books that are part of a series have always been my favorite. When I connect with a character or a setting, I feel lost when I know there is nothing else when the book is done. My earliest recollection of loving a series was when I read "Little House on the Prairie" in 4th grade. Even though I wasn't completely sold on the Maze Runner, I am glad it is part of a series!
Staff Development Specialist
Since I was a young child, reading - to me - was a romantic experience. I loved to find book nooks in quiet corners of my backyard under thick bushes or create a hide-a-way forts in the forest behind my childhood home to get lost in a great story. It was this love of reading and the art of storytelling that makes me passionate that every child has the human right to learning to read. I enjoy reading everything from professional journals to a good science fiction novel, and when I connect with a good story or text, I have a very difficult time putting it down. This leads to hours of reading in my bathtub turning into prune just to find out what happens next, and next, and next! Books that are part of a series have always been my favorite. When I connect with a character or a setting, I feel lost when I know there is nothing else when the book is done. My earliest recollection of loving a series was when I read "Little House on the Prairie" in 4th grade. Even though I wasn't completely sold on the Maze Runner, I am glad it is part of a series!
Sue Bartle School Library System, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
Books are my business. I starting working in the public library 37 years ago (yes I was just a teenager) and have not stopped working in or with libraries every since (public, academic, or school). My passion for reading has never stopped! Coordinating the library services for our 27 districts with 97 school libraries has been a wonderful experience for me for the past 14 years. The value that your school library brings to your students outlasts so many other experiences students will have in a school building. School libraries provide longevity for books. Think about it – every year we get another group of eager students who start kindergarten or move up to another grade and we introduce them to the best books each year over and over again. Let's continue this longevity by sharing and modeling our reading life experiences with our students and teachers and everyone we know!
Books are my business. I starting working in the public library 37 years ago (yes I was just a teenager) and have not stopped working in or with libraries every since (public, academic, or school). My passion for reading has never stopped! Coordinating the library services for our 27 districts with 97 school libraries has been a wonderful experience for me for the past 14 years. The value that your school library brings to your students outlasts so many other experiences students will have in a school building. School libraries provide longevity for books. Think about it – every year we get another group of eager students who start kindergarten or move up to another grade and we introduce them to the best books each year over and over again. Let's continue this longevity by sharing and modeling our reading life experiences with our students and teachers and everyone we know!
Ronni L. Bauer, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
High School ELA Teacher (Grades 9-12), Baker Road Alternative High School, Orchard Park
Reading is my passion. When I have free time, a book is the vacation I delve into. I remember my favorite childhood books were Harold and the Purple Crayon as well as The Little Prince. As an adult today, I average two novels a week. Fantasy, horror, science fiction and mysteries allow me to experience worlds and emotions and experiences beyond my own!
High School ELA Teacher (Grades 9-12), Baker Road Alternative High School, Orchard Park
Reading is my passion. When I have free time, a book is the vacation I delve into. I remember my favorite childhood books were Harold and the Purple Crayon as well as The Little Prince. As an adult today, I average two novels a week. Fantasy, horror, science fiction and mysteries allow me to experience worlds and emotions and experiences beyond my own!
Dave Becker, Panama CSD
English Teacher
English Teacher
Casey Delles, Sherman Central School
English 7, 9, and 11 teacher
I have always been a fan of reading. To this day, if I see a new summer blockbuster that is coming out, based on a book, I have to read the book (or the entire series) before the movie comes out because I KNOW the movie only serves as a supplement to the art of writing. One of the best things about teaching English is the conversations I get to have with my students about literature that we are reading in class as well as literature that they and I are reading outside of class. Because of these conversations, I have read things I never thought I would and enjoyed them.
English 7, 9, and 11 teacher
I have always been a fan of reading. To this day, if I see a new summer blockbuster that is coming out, based on a book, I have to read the book (or the entire series) before the movie comes out because I KNOW the movie only serves as a supplement to the art of writing. One of the best things about teaching English is the conversations I get to have with my students about literature that we are reading in class as well as literature that they and I are reading outside of class. Because of these conversations, I have read things I never thought I would and enjoyed them.
Naomi F. Grade 6 Student
Ripley CSD
I read everywhere I can and whenever I can. I read before I go to sleep and in the morning. I carry a book around with me everywhere I go in school: from lunch to music to math. I read because it takes me to a whole different world where I don't have to worry about things I would normally worry about. My favorite books that I could just read and read again and still enjoy are the books in the Divergent series, The Tiger's Curse Series, and the Maze Runners series. I read not because I have to, but I read for the fun of it. I personally think everyone should find a book that they like and read it...because they want to.
Ripley CSD
I read everywhere I can and whenever I can. I read before I go to sleep and in the morning. I carry a book around with me everywhere I go in school: from lunch to music to math. I read because it takes me to a whole different world where I don't have to worry about things I would normally worry about. My favorite books that I could just read and read again and still enjoy are the books in the Divergent series, The Tiger's Curse Series, and the Maze Runners series. I read not because I have to, but I read for the fun of it. I personally think everyone should find a book that they like and read it...because they want to.
Jacob H. Grade 5 Student
Silver Creek CSD
I love to read because stories bring me to a different world also I think books are proof humans can do magic.
Silver Creek CSD
I love to read because stories bring me to a different world also I think books are proof humans can do magic.
Amelia K. Grade 8 Student
Hamburg CSD
I like to read because it gives me the feeling that there is a fantasy world outside our own. While I like to read books on my Kindle, I like to read actual books because it helps me feel more connected. For my favorite book, it is a tie between Divergent and Hunger Games. The books, not the movie – movies sometimes miss parts of the book that I feel are important.
Hamburg CSD
I like to read because it gives me the feeling that there is a fantasy world outside our own. While I like to read books on my Kindle, I like to read actual books because it helps me feel more connected. For my favorite book, it is a tie between Divergent and Hunger Games. The books, not the movie – movies sometimes miss parts of the book that I feel are important.
Nicole Lauer, Eden CSD
Literacy Specialist (Grades 3-10)
I have always loved to read and have taken a book to bed with me for as long as I can remember. I read as much as I can during the school year, and I keep a list of books to read over summer vacation. I even have a collection of photos on my phone of books I want to read. I have never really thought about why I love to read, but I think it could be because I love words and am amazed at the way authors are able to use words to weave tales that allow me to escape my own chaotic world. I love to hear people's stories and wish I could write my own someday.
Literacy Specialist (Grades 3-10)
I have always loved to read and have taken a book to bed with me for as long as I can remember. I read as much as I can during the school year, and I keep a list of books to read over summer vacation. I even have a collection of photos on my phone of books I want to read. I have never really thought about why I love to read, but I think it could be because I love words and am amazed at the way authors are able to use words to weave tales that allow me to escape my own chaotic world. I love to hear people's stories and wish I could write my own someday.
Jean Pappalardo
Staff Development Specialist Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
Why do I read? I've just finished reading Donna Tartt’s latest novel The Goldfinch, and I desperately miss the characters. For me, reading a novel is beginning a relationship with the characters, a worthy and committed relationship, sometimes painful and frustrating, but ultimately fulfilling. So, I suppose I read to get to know people, usually people I wouldn't normally encounter.
Staff Development Specialist Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
Why do I read? I've just finished reading Donna Tartt’s latest novel The Goldfinch, and I desperately miss the characters. For me, reading a novel is beginning a relationship with the characters, a worthy and committed relationship, sometimes painful and frustrating, but ultimately fulfilling. So, I suppose I read to get to know people, usually people I wouldn't normally encounter.
Dana Serure
Staff Development Specialist, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
My enjoyment with reading began in high school with "To Kill A Mockingbird" and now I read all types of books. At times, I have unconventional reading habits, such as reading the last chapter first or reading the footnotes at the end of the text prior to starting the book. I enjoy both fiction and non-fiction books plus I read two or three books at the same time! I never leave the house without a book or something to read -- ya never know when you may be stuck in a line or just having nothing to do!
Staff Development Specialist, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
My enjoyment with reading began in high school with "To Kill A Mockingbird" and now I read all types of books. At times, I have unconventional reading habits, such as reading the last chapter first or reading the footnotes at the end of the text prior to starting the book. I enjoy both fiction and non-fiction books plus I read two or three books at the same time! I never leave the house without a book or something to read -- ya never know when you may be stuck in a line or just having nothing to do!
Pam Shannon
Staff Development Specialist Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCESReading and rereading all of the Nancy Drew mystery series beginning at age 7, books have taken me on countless vacations around the world, solar system and to the depths of the oceans. My appetite for reading still draws me into action-mystery especially when the fabric of the book is woven with history, religion and science. A fast paced book has me up to the wee hours of the morning or on my exercise bike still my legs are numb.
The publication of the Harry Potter books had my sons and me entranced. On a plane to London, I read for 4 hours to my boys The Sorcerer's Stone. Because of my propensity for reading in accents (English for most, Irish for Hagrid), countless passengers surrounded us to listen in. As my eldest son told me, "Mom I'll never read these books on my own because you make reading Harry Potter an adventure!"
In my classroom I truly and genuinely loved reading aloud to make the stories come alive and to instill the adventure in my students. We read by flashlight, we read under the tables, we lived to read. I still do. I always will.
Staff Development Specialist Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCESReading and rereading all of the Nancy Drew mystery series beginning at age 7, books have taken me on countless vacations around the world, solar system and to the depths of the oceans. My appetite for reading still draws me into action-mystery especially when the fabric of the book is woven with history, religion and science. A fast paced book has me up to the wee hours of the morning or on my exercise bike still my legs are numb.
The publication of the Harry Potter books had my sons and me entranced. On a plane to London, I read for 4 hours to my boys The Sorcerer's Stone. Because of my propensity for reading in accents (English for most, Irish for Hagrid), countless passengers surrounded us to listen in. As my eldest son told me, "Mom I'll never read these books on my own because you make reading Harry Potter an adventure!"
In my classroom I truly and genuinely loved reading aloud to make the stories come alive and to instill the adventure in my students. We read by flashlight, we read under the tables, we lived to read. I still do. I always will.
Lea Ann D. Talbot, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
LoGuidice Career and Technical Education English Liaison
I have loved to read since I conquered the mountain with The Little Engine That Could in first grade. The Little House on the Prairie series in second grade started me on my enjoyment of biographies and historical fiction. A Wrinkle in Time in fourth grade was the gateway novel into my favorite genres of science fiction and fantasy literature.
LoGuidice Career and Technical Education English Liaison
I have loved to read since I conquered the mountain with The Little Engine That Could in first grade. The Little House on the Prairie series in second grade started me on my enjoyment of biographies and historical fiction. A Wrinkle in Time in fourth grade was the gateway novel into my favorite genres of science fiction and fantasy literature.
Vanessa Zoll, Eden Jr/Sr High School
School librarian at Eden CSD for 15 years working with intermediate, middle and high school grade levels.
I think the bigger question for me is when am I not reading? When I'm asleep! I spend more time in children's and young adult books than I do reading adult books or watching television. Call me crazy but don't call me boring.
School librarian at Eden CSD for 15 years working with intermediate, middle and high school grade levels.
I think the bigger question for me is when am I not reading? When I'm asleep! I spend more time in children's and young adult books than I do reading adult books or watching television. Call me crazy but don't call me boring.