My mother, grandmother and aunt were all teachers (in Hillsborough County), so it makes sense that I would end up working in education. I especially love getting to be in the library because it affords me the opportunity to build relationships with ALL our Tampa Prep students. I am a firm believer that libraries should be places where students can discover, innovate, collaborate, create and grow. I previously worked at Stewart Middle Magnet School for seven years and piloted their library makerspace program, where students could learn more about Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) through a variety of hands-on activities.

My memberships include the Florida Association for Media in Education, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). I’ve received the ISTE Outstanding Young Educator Award (2016), the AASL Frances Henne Award (2015) for emerging leaders in school libraries and the School Library Journal Build Something Bold Award (2015).

I present at conferences and lead professional development workshops internationally on libraries and makerspaces. I served on the Sunshine State Young Readers Award committee from 2012-2015. I blog about libraries, education and makerspaces at RenovatedLearning.com and I am also a monthly contributor to AASL Knowledge Quest. I am the proud author of two books: Challenge-Based Learning in the School Library Makerspace and Reimagining Library Spaces: Transform Your Space on Any Budget.

• Mrs. Rendina is the Sunshine Readers Club, US Book Club, and Maker Mondays Club sponsor

Read Diana’s blog:  Banned Book Week – We’ve Come a Long Way, but Still a Long Way to Go