Staff & Mission
Mission
The Sherwood Elementary School Library welcomes all students and families. Through our library, we aim to:
* foster reading enjoyment by sharing high quality literature in a nurturing environment
* provide equitable access to resources that reflect diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences
* teach our students to use information and technology tools that prepare them for now and the future
* educate media literate digital citizens who are responsible and ethical users of information
Our Mission Statement: "To ensure that students are effective users and producers of ideas and information."
Staff
Dave Sonnen is the Library Information Specialist at Sherwood Elementary School. This is his 31st year in education. He began teaching in 1987 at Warrenton Grade School in Warrenton, Oregon. He was at Brier Elementary, beginning in 1993, as a classroom teacher before becoming the librarian. He joined the staff at Sherwood in 2009. Before becoming a librarian in 1999, he was a classroom teacher, teaching grades 2,3,4,5,and 6. He attended Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon where he received bachelor degrees in Elementary Education and Interdisciplinary Studies (Geography, Business, and Computer Science) and served as Student Body President (1986-87). He had an elementary teaching certificate in Oregon and has a continuing teaching certificate in Washington with a learning resources endorsement
He earned his Masters of Library Science degree at the University of Washington's Information School in 2006. In 2018 he was selected as the Washington Library Association Teacher-Librarian of the Year.
Dave is a member of ALA-American Library Association (he participated in ALA's 1st Emerging Leaders Program, 2007), AASL- American Association of School Librarians (served as Region VIII Director 2011-2013, representing Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho), WLA-Washington Library Association (currently serving on the board of directors, also served as WLMA President 2008-2009) and past co-chair of the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Committee (currently a committee member), and PSC-Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Materials (served 5 years on the board of directors, including 2 years as Chair).
When he's not reading, Dave can be found playing water polo, swimming, walking, traveling (he's been to all 50 states), and weight lifting. He collects license plates, college pennants, and Starbucks city mugs. He is glad to be at Sherwood!