SoCaLIS Board Members, 2026-2027
Amy Philpott, President (Brentwood 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. Amy is in her first year as Brentwood’s Director of Library and Research for Middle School. She has been involved in SoCaLIS for over 10 years, serving several years on the OverDrive Collection Development committee.
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. Amy is in her first year as Brentwood’s Director of Library and Research for Middle School. She has been involved in SoCaLIS for over 10 years, serving several years on the OverDrive Collection Development committee.
Nora Murphy, President Elect (Polytechnic School)
Nora has been a librarian for twenty years, in both public and independent institutions. After LAUSD’s historic librarian purge in 2011, Nora landed at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy where she spent a magnificent twelve years building the school’s unique Research Program. Now Upper School Librarian at the Polytechnic School, Nora’s focus areas currently include Climate Literacy and Sustainability and De-Deweying the collection. Nora loves trying to grow food in her backyard, literary jigsaw puzzles, and hanging out with her teenaged kiddo.
Nora has been a librarian for twenty years, in both public and independent institutions. After LAUSD’s historic librarian purge in 2011, Nora landed at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy where she spent a magnificent twelve years building the school’s unique Research Program. Now Upper School Librarian at the Polytechnic School, Nora’s focus areas currently include Climate Literacy and Sustainability and De-Deweying the collection. Nora loves trying to grow food in her backyard, literary jigsaw puzzles, and hanging out with her teenaged kiddo.
Kate Rao, Past 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.
Alia Faubert, Vendor Liaison Support - Overdrive (Windward School)
Alia Faubert is a Research Librarian at Windward School, where she has worked since 2016. She holds an MLIS degree from San Jose State University and is passionate about research, information literacy, and connecting people with the right book at the right time. If you run into her, there’s a good chance she’ll get you talking about what you’re reading!
Alia Faubert is a Research Librarian at Windward School, where she has worked since 2016. She holds an MLIS degree from San Jose State University and is passionate about research, information literacy, and connecting people with the right book at the right time. If you run into her, there’s a good chance she’ll get you talking about what you’re reading!
Mark Dzula, Past 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.
Lauren Gunderson, Treasurer (The Wesley School)
Lauren Gunderson has worked at Los Angeles private schools since 2001 as both a teacher and a librarian. She has a Masters in K-12 Teaching and received her Masters in School Librarianship in 2022. Lauren is currently the librarian at The Wesley School, wearing many hats including Spelling Bee Coordinator and Middle School Literary Magazine advisor. She especially enjoys being able to plan multiple author visits throughout the school year. Last year, she met one of her favorites, Dan Santat!
Lauren Gunderson has worked at Los Angeles private schools since 2001 as both a teacher and a librarian. She has a Masters in K-12 Teaching and received her Masters in School Librarianship in 2022. Lauren is currently the librarian at The Wesley School, wearing many hats including Spelling Bee Coordinator and Middle School Literary Magazine advisor. She especially enjoys being able to plan multiple author visits throughout the school year. Last year, she met one of her favorites, Dan Santat!
|
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. |
Event Coordinator
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, Member-at-Large (Laurence School)
Originally from New York, Jennifer Levin has been a librarian for over 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 been at Laurence School for the past eleven years as the K-6th-grade librarian. She is on the AI and Service Learning committees. She also enjoys curriculum planning with classroom teachers to collaborate on units of study. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Originally from New York, Jennifer Levin has been a librarian for over 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 been at Laurence School for the past eleven years as the K-6th-grade librarian. She is on the AI and Service Learning committees. She also enjoys curriculum planning with classroom teachers to collaborate on units of study. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family.