Nyssa Kelly: Convenor
Nyssa is the TL at Belair PS and Convener of the MANTLE Conference. She is passionate about advocating for Teacher Librarians and ensuring libraries are a hub of learning in all schools.
Nyssa is an absolute bibliophile, driven by a desire to instill a love of literature and reading in not just her students, but her colleagues and friends. She believes there is a book for everyone! Nyssa has been involved with MANTLE for as long as she has been a Teacher Librarian. She joined the committee after attending a conference at Town Hall. The feelings of inspiration, excitement, enthusiasm and collegiality she walked away with at the end of that conference are how she would like every person attending MANTLE to feel. |
Amanda Craig: Treasurer
Amanda Craig is a passionate Teacher Librarian working at Telarah Public School. She has worked in various roles in her 22 year career, doing everything from preschool, Early Intervention, primary, High School and TAFE but found her true love when becoming a TL 10 years ago. Amanda has an extensive background in visual arts, where she completed her Honours and started her teaching career as a High School Visual Arts teacher. Her love of visual arts influences her teaching and learning and is why she is passionate about picture books. Amanda is an active member of her local TL networking group MASLA and has been a MANTLE committee member since 2015, currently serving as Treasurer. She has presented sessions on advocating for the TL position and the library and has built a strong social media community through her school library Instagram page @telarahpslibrary
Kayla Frost: Secretary
Kayla Frost is a proud Teacher-Librarian at Niagara Park Public School on the Central Coast. Kayla has a strong background in Primary School Libraries, with over 14 years of experience in various school libraries around the Central Coast. Kayla has also served on the board of many local teacher-Librarian networks and committees, and been a guest speaker at many professional development days for Teacher-Librarians. She has a background in art, having begun her teaching degree as a High School art Teacher, and uses these skills to create her Library displays. Kayla really enjoys working with children, and trying to find what makes them excited about their learning. She believes that the Library should be the hub of the school, and aims for it to always be a bright, happy, exciting, bubbling place to be.
Lucy Bertsos: Social Media
Lucy Bertsos is the lady behind the MANTLE lens this year! She assisted the MANTLE committee back in 2018 and has returned this year as the Social Media and Communications Coordinator. She has worked as a qualified Primary teacher since 2014 in classroom and RFF teacher roles, and has been fortunate enough to work as a TL since 2018. Lucy has always been an avid book lover, collector and book club member, but found her love and passion for school libraries after being inspired (and gently nudged) by Nyssa Kelly into completing a Master of Teacher Librarianship, graduating at the end of 2021 and recently gaining permanency at Hillsborough Public School. She is passionate about creating life-long readers as a TL and instilling a love of reading in every student, as well as strengthening educational opportunities for all students, particularly First Nations People.
Helena Powell: Trade Fair
Helena Powell is an enthusiastic and proud Teacher Librarian at St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar in the Hunter Valley. Helena has over 20 years experience teaching in primary schools, including 10 years teaching in London. For the last 7 years she has discovered the special place that is the role of the Teacher Librarian. She has incredible passion as a storyteller and is a firm believer in the power of story to change lives and the absolute importance of literacy. “The fire of literacy is created by the emotional sparks between a child, a book, and the person reading.” Mem Fox. This is reflected in her ability to transport children into the story world of the author with her storytelling. Helena is an active member of her local TL networking group MASLA and has recently joined the MANTLE committee. She has presented sessions on digital breakout rooms and uses Instagram as a platform to advocate for the TL role with her account @10hipporeads.
Kerry Gittins: Merchandise & Website
Kerry is a writer, musician, traveller and semi-retired teacher librarian from Newcastle. Kerry has worked as a teacher librarian and music teacher in Australia and in numerous international schools during a career spanning almost four decades. Kerry has been a member of various Australian library networks including the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the School Library Association of NSW (SLANSW). Whilst overseas she was a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the Swiss Group of International School Librarians and the Vietnam Libs Association. Kerry has presented at various international conferences in Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam on libraries and technology, and was co-organiser for the past three years of the Library Mini Conference strand of the 21st Century Learning Hong Kong conference. She was a previous member of the MANTLE committee from 2011 to 2014. Kerry believes libraries are essential to the learning and well being of all schools and their communities.
Jae Rolt: Website
Jae Rolt is the Teacher Librarian at Cessnock West PS (currently on maternity leave). She is passionate about her role as a Teacher Librarian and loves being able to teach every child from K – 6 and help to instil in them a love of learning and reading.
Jae has been teaching for over 25 years and has been the TL at Cessnock West for 19 years.
Jae is an active member of the local teacher Librarian network group – MASLA and has been on the MANTLE committee for 5 years.
Jae has previously presented at MANTLE after winning ALIA’s award for Australia’s Favourite Librarian in 2013.
Jae has been teaching for over 25 years and has been the TL at Cessnock West for 19 years.
Jae is an active member of the local teacher Librarian network group – MASLA and has been on the MANTLE committee for 5 years.
Jae has previously presented at MANTLE after winning ALIA’s award for Australia’s Favourite Librarian in 2013.