SoCaLIS Board Members, 2025-2026
Kate Rao, President (The Willows)
Kate has been a librarian for over 25 years. She has spent most of her career as a children’s public librarian, but in 2022 began as a school librarian at The WIllows Community School, a TK-8th grade school. She loves to read nonfiction, mostly in the 300’s and 900’s sections. When she is not working, she likes hanging out with her husband and 19-year-old daughter.
Kate has been a librarian for over 25 years. She has spent most of her career as a children’s public librarian, but in 2022 began as a school librarian at The WIllows Community School, a TK-8th grade school. She loves to read nonfiction, mostly in the 300’s and 900’s sections. When she is not working, she likes hanging out with her husband and 19-year-old daughter.
Elisabeth Abarbanel, Past President (Brentwood School)
Elisabeth (she/her) is Director of Library & Research, Upper School at Brentwood School. She grew up in Los Angeles and received her MLIS from UCLA. Elisabeth runs a student book club, now in its 27th year. Before working at Brentwood School Elisabeth worked as a librarian at a couple L.A. area elementary schools and managed two bookstores. She has been active in SoCaLIS since starting at Brentwood School in 1997.
Elisabeth (she/her) is Director of Library & Research, Upper School at Brentwood School. She grew up in Los Angeles and received her MLIS from UCLA. Elisabeth runs a student book club, now in its 27th year. Before working at Brentwood School Elisabeth worked as a librarian at a couple L.A. area elementary schools and managed two bookstores. She has been active in SoCaLIS since starting at Brentwood School in 1997.
Amy Philpott, President Elect & Vendor Liaison Support - Overdrive (Turning Point School)
Amy Philpott has worked in schools and libraries for over 20 years. In 2003, she completed a Masters in Library and Information Science, with a focus on children’s librarianship and how the expansion of digital media affects our approach to reading and information seeking. Upon completing her MLIS, Amy worked as a children’s librarian for a public library. In 2007, she completed a multiple-subject teaching credential and spent six years as a classroom teacher. In 2013, Ms. Philpott joined Turning Point as the Librarian and Research Specialist. She serves on Turning Point’s Educational Technology Committee, developing an approach to student research that keeps pace with changes in technology.
Amy Philpott has worked in schools and libraries for over 20 years. In 2003, she completed a Masters in Library and Information Science, with a focus on children’s librarianship and how the expansion of digital media affects our approach to reading and information seeking. Upon completing her MLIS, Amy worked as a children’s librarian for a public library. In 2007, she completed a multiple-subject teaching credential and spent six years as a classroom teacher. In 2013, Ms. Philpott joined Turning Point as the Librarian and Research Specialist. She serves on Turning Point’s Educational Technology Committee, developing an approach to student research that keeps pace with changes in technology.
Mark Dzula, Treasurer (Webb Schools)
Mark Dzula is the Director of Teaching and Learning Resources at The Webb Schools and is always looking for ways to have fun: He advises the journalism program at Webb, a perfect fit for the library. He blogs for Knowledge Quest, the Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. He also recorded an album in his library to promote it as a place for expression. To this end, Mark hosts weekly student performances in the library—stop by to sing karaoke or play your favorite instrument.
Mark Dzula is the Director of Teaching and Learning Resources at The Webb Schools and is always looking for ways to have fun: He advises the journalism program at Webb, a perfect fit for the library. He blogs for Knowledge Quest, the Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. He also recorded an album in his library to promote it as a place for expression. To this end, Mark hosts weekly student performances in the library—stop by to sing karaoke or play your favorite instrument.
|
Alex Brown, Membership Chair (The Thacher School)
Alex Brown is the Director of the Boswell Library at The Thacher School. They started their MLIS career in the mid 2000s as an archivist before transitioning to school libraries, but has also worked in special collections, academic libraries, and public libraries. They have a strong focus on DEI work and helping young adults develop critical digital literacy skills. |
Yvette Pompa, Event Coordinator (Polytechnic School)
Yvette Pompa has been a children’s librarian at Polytechnic School for eight years. Teaching K-5 is the best! Reading books, locating books, and purchasing.
I was a Literacy Specialist as a K/1 literacy intervention in Marblehead, MA for five years. I love the beach and I miss my Golden Retriever.
Yvette Pompa has been a children’s librarian at Polytechnic School for eight years. Teaching K-5 is the best! Reading books, locating books, and purchasing.
I was a Literacy Specialist as a K/1 literacy intervention in Marblehead, MA for five years. I love the beach and I miss my Golden Retriever.
Cielo Botello-Williams, Communications and Secretary (Windward School)
Cielo has been a librarian at Windward School since 2011. She decided to pursue a career in librarianship while working for LAUSD as an elementary school library aide. After receiving her MLIS from UCLA she went on to work as a public children’s librarian as well as a university librarian. Cielo currently enjoys working with middle and high school students fostering information literacy skills and trying out fun programming ideas.
Cielo has been a librarian at Windward School since 2011. She decided to pursue a career in librarianship while working for LAUSD as an elementary school library aide. After receiving her MLIS from UCLA she went on to work as a public children’s librarian as well as a university librarian. Cielo currently enjoys working with middle and high school students fostering information literacy skills and trying out fun programming ideas.
Alex Bryndzia, Communications Chair (Polytechnic School)
Alex Bryndzia has been the Lower and Middle School Librarian at Polytechnic School since 2015. When she started, she taught all grades K-8 but now she primarily works with the Middle School and has a wonderful library team that teaches Lower School. Prior to working at Poly, Alex worked as an elementary school librarian at the Walnut Unified School District and as a Multimedia Developer at Cal Poly Pomona. Alex holds an MLS degree in Library Science and a M.A. in Multimedia Education.
In her library, Alex provides students with books that reflect their diverse identities and perspectives, serving as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors to foster connection, compassion and understanding. In her free time, she enjoys visiting Disneyland and Universal parks with her family, reading (of course), and watching professional and indy wrestling (yes the WWE kind, although she prefers AEW).
Alex Bryndzia has been the Lower and Middle School Librarian at Polytechnic School since 2015. When she started, she taught all grades K-8 but now she primarily works with the Middle School and has a wonderful library team that teaches Lower School. Prior to working at Poly, Alex worked as an elementary school librarian at the Walnut Unified School District and as a Multimedia Developer at Cal Poly Pomona. Alex holds an MLS degree in Library Science and a M.A. in Multimedia Education.
In her library, Alex provides students with books that reflect their diverse identities and perspectives, serving as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors to foster connection, compassion and understanding. In her free time, she enjoys visiting Disneyland and Universal parks with her family, reading (of course), and watching professional and indy wrestling (yes the WWE kind, although she prefers AEW).
Jessica Scott, Network (K-8) Liaison (The John Thomas Dye School)
Jessica Scott is the K-6th grade librarian at The John Thomas Dye School. She is part of their Inclusion and Diversity team, co-leads their AWARE (A White Anti-Racist Educator) group, and assists with their Debate team. She moved to LA from DC just a few years ago and earned her MLIS from the University of Maryland. Jessica is also a consultant for the website Storyline Online. In her free time she loves to read and play tennis.
Jessica Scott is the K-6th grade librarian at The John Thomas Dye School. She is part of their Inclusion and Diversity team, co-leads their AWARE (A White Anti-Racist Educator) group, and assists with their Debate team. She moved to LA from DC just a few years ago and earned her MLIS from the University of Maryland. Jessica is also a consultant for the website Storyline Online. In her free time she loves to read and play tennis.
Jennifer Levin, Network (K-8) Liaison (Laurence School)
Originally from New York, Jennifer Levin has been a librarian close to 30 years, with an Elementary Education degree from the University of Rhode Island, and an MLS from Queens College. Having worked in public libraries, public schools, and private schools over the years, Jennifer has landed for the pa–st eight as the K - 6th grade librarian at Laurence School. She is part of the DEI committee, and enjoys curriculum planning with classroom teachers for collaborating on units of study. When not working she enjoys spending time with her family.
Originally from New York, Jennifer Levin has been a librarian close to 30 years, with an Elementary Education degree from the University of Rhode Island, and an MLS from Queens College. Having worked in public libraries, public schools, and private schools over the years, Jennifer has landed for the pa–st eight as the K - 6th grade librarian at Laurence School. She is part of the DEI committee, and enjoys curriculum planning with classroom teachers for collaborating on units of study. When not working she enjoys spending time with her family.