Schools salute Micro Elementary media specialist

SMITHFIELD — The Johnston County Public Schools have named their 2024 Media Specialist of the Year. She is Laura Warren of Micro Elementary School.

Warren, who is from Newton Grove, is the daughter of a librarian. As a child, she would hide under the desk at the Selma Public Library with her favorite book, “Leo the Late Bloomer,” and read to her brother while her mom worked.

“I grew up in libraries,” Warren said. She also grew up seeing firsthand the importance of a library and the community it can reach.

Warren is a graduate of South Johnston High, where, oddly enough, her mom was the school’s media specialist. A career librarian, her mother served the students of Johnston County Public Schools for 20 years, retiring in 2023 from Princeton High.

Warren received her bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University and began a career in education with Sampson County Schools, where she taught first grade for two years. In 2011, she joined the Johnston County schools, teaching fourth grade at Glendale-Kenly Elementary for four years. During that time, she earned a master’s degree in library science on a scholarship from ECU, got married and started a family.

Then, in 2016, Micro Elementary was about to open its doors, and Warren couldn’t wait to get her hands on the media center. Although it was her first time as a media specialist, she was prepared. “My library career started way before that,” she said.

Although the walls were blank, Warren’s mind was full of ideas. She had the walls painted bright colors, moved furniture around and added her own special touches to create a welcoming space that was entertaining and inviting.

“I’ve been able to mold that library to what it is today,” Warren said. “There’s collaboration and communication, as well as knowledge seeking and asking questions.”

Being a media specialist entails much more than checking books in and out. It’s the business of creating a budget, taking out older books to make way for new ones, fixing Chromebooks and helping with login issues.

“I am proud of myself because I know my mom is proud of me,” Warren said of winning the award. “Through me, she has fulfilled something for herself.”

Warren thanks her Micro Elementary coworkers for their support. They sense when she needs a helping hand and jump in without being asked, she said. “Knowing the impact I’ve had on my colleagues for them to nominate me for this award is wonderful,” she said.

Now that summer is here, Warren wants families to know that the public schools and Johnston County library system have a wonderful partnership. With a JCPS student ID number, students can access books, e-books, audiobooks and many other resources at any Johnston County public library.

There is one thing Warren would like students and staff to know about media specialists across the school district. “We’re here to help,” she said. “That’s our job.”

The post Schools salute Micro Elementary media specialist first appeared on Restoration NewsMedia .