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KIRSTEN MCDONALD

Certifications

National Board Certification in Library Media 
Media Coordinator (Grades K-12) 
English (Grades 9-12) 

 

Education

MLS, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 2007 
MA in English, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 1988 
BA in English, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, 1983 

 

Experience

Children's Book Author and Illustrator, Mills River, NC:  2017 Martha Weston Grant recipient from SCBWI, Winner in 2019 SCBWI of the Carolinas 10th Annual Writing and Illustrating Contest - Novel Division, Wrote and illustrated manuscripts for picture books, early chapter books, chapter books, and middle grades novels including the Carlos and Carmen series: The One-Tire House (2016), The Nighttime Noise (2016), The Big Rain (2016), The Green Surprise (2016), Tio Time (2017), The Yummy Mistake (2017), The Sandy Weekend (2017), The Wobbly Wheels (2017), The Costume Contest (2017), The Sparkly Night(2017), The Pet Show Problem (2017), The Perfect Piñatas (2017), The Fun Fort (2018), Over the Fence (2018), Too Many Valentines (2018), Tooth Trouble (2018), Campout (2019), The Big Splash (2019), The Sweet Treasure (2019), and Fenced In (2019) (2013 - Present) 

 

Information and Education Supervisor, DuPont State Recreational Forest, Cedar Mountain, NC: Developed and implemented programming for all ages, served as webmaster, modernized Duty Ranger and Permit programs, wrote and implemented grants, wrote and designed publications and displays, wrote press releases, served as media contact, planned and implemented special events, developed media plans, served as duty ranger (2020 - Present)

Media Coordinator, Emma Elementary School, Asheville, NC: Planned and implemented lessons for students in grades K-5, created online Moodle courses, provided 21st Century skills staff development, assisted independent researchers, collaborated with teachers on instructional projects, maintained collection of print and electronic resources, managed budgets, chaired media-technology committee, planned special events, introduced flexible scheduling for grades 3-5, implemented the Big6 research model, served as webmaster for school website, managed school-wide fixed asset inventory system, wrote grants for technology and print resources, sponsored BiblioTechs and broadcast news team (2004-2020)

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Title I Teaching Assistant, Avery's Creek Elementary School, Arden, NC: Prepared lessons and taught small groups of students in grades K-5, screened students for placement, communicated with lead teachers regarding student needs, wrote Even Start Grant proposal (2003-2004)

Freelance Consultant, Mills River, NC: Wrote and edited copy for booklets, calendars, videos, brochures, ads, magazines, and newspapers; supervised and coordinated work of designers, photographers, and printers; designed brochures and collateral materials; planned special events (1993-2004)
 

Marketing Director & Marketing Coordinator, Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, Concord, NC: Supervised staff of four; planned and implemented marketing and public relations programs for hospital, individual departments, and physician practices; prepared departmental and project budgets; designed layout, wrote copy, and supervised production of ads, brochures, and collateral; planned and coordinated special events; wrote press releases and served as media contact; supervised work of non-hospital designers, photographers, and agencies (1990-93) 

 

Awards, Presentations, and Recognition

Featured Author at Brevard Elementary School's Childrens' Book Week Celebration (2019)

Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators of the Carolinas 10th Annual Art and Writing Contest Novel Division (2019)

Teacher of the Year for Emma Elementary School (2017-2018)
Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators Martha Weston Grant recipient (2017)

Leader of The StoryWeavers, an SCBWI affiliated critique group (2017-2019)
Featured Author at Mountain of Words (2016)
Featured Author at Barnardsville Elementary's Young Author's Day (2016)
Presenter at Buncombe County Schools' BEST Steam Powered Mini-Conference (2015)
Presenter at NC Technology in Education Society Annual Conference (2011)
Presenter at American Association of School Libraries Annual Conference (2009)
Presenter at NC School Library Media Association Annual Conference (2007)
Presenter at Big6 Workshop for Buncombe County Schools (2007)
North Carolina School Library Media Association Read2Succeed Grant (2007)
Asheville Area Arts Council Grant (2005)
Carolinas Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society Award (1992)
Carolinas Association of Business Communicators Award (1992)
Healthcare Marketing Report Award (1992)
Hollins College Literary Festival: Short Story Division Award (1983)
Vereen Bell Writing Awards at Davidson College (1982 and 1983)
Davidson College Student Art Exhibit (1980 and 1983)