About

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Books, books, books. I love reading and writing, teaching and socially engaging with literature. I am a teacher of innovation including reading literacy, digital literacy, and media literacy. I also love technology and being hip with what trends are coming up next, and what systems are likely to stay around for at least a year or two. Outside of books and technology I am an avid gardener and enjoy starting my heirloom plants from seed over the winter indoors. When not talking about books or deep into the virtual universe learning about what is coming down the line, I really enjoy public speaking. I speak at conferences, teach workshops, train people, hold round table discussions, anything I can get my hands on. I was bitten by a love of learning at an early age, I want to know Why, and How, and Who Said. I am always eager to learn new things. Once I have learned something I cannot keep it to myself, I must teach others, so I run programs, teach one on ones, or workshops to spread the news. You can find me everywhere, doing everything, and as much as possible at all times.

Follow me on:
Twitter: @LiterallySmash
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookiefairygodmother/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sjbremekamp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthabremekamp

Vivian Kirkfields Annual #50PreciousWords Contest Winners’ Circle 2022 https://viviankirkfield.com/2022/03/20/50preciouswords-2022-winners-and-honorable-mentions/

Teacher’s Who Rock 2021 Winner

SAMANTHA BREMEKAMP
School Library Media Specialist
Shrewsbury Borough School
Nominated by fellow teacher Brittany King
We’re honoring Samantha Bremekamp, the library media specialist at Shrewsbury Borough School.

Ms. Bremekamp’s goal seems to be to transport kids when they enter her class, to where one asks? To anywhere and everywhere. She’s always cultivating a culture of inquiry and exploration. She created the school’s Innovation Lab, which is used for students to create and explore new ideas.

SAMANTHA BREMEKAMP
School Library Media Specialist
Shrewsbury Borough School
Nominated by fellow teacher Brittany King
Anyone who enters Ms. Bremekamp’s class is instantly transported into a world of inquiry and fun! As the SBS Library Media Specialist, she works tirelessly to bring resources and experiences to all students, always looking for new and innovative ways to explore topics presented to her learners.

Ms. Bremekamp is also a NatGeo Educator Ambassador and NASA Social Alumna, seamlessly incorporating her experiences into her class to keep content relevant and engaging. She’s not afraid to tackle modern-day topics such as anti-racism, anti-bullying, climate control and nature preservation, as well as celebrating famous Black Americans and Women.

Ms. Bremekamp is also a champion at cultivating a culture of inquiry, exploration, and pushing boundaries, as she advocated and created the school’s very own Innovation Lab, which is used for students to create and explore concepts they may have only dreamed of.

Within the walls of the Library Media Center Ms. Bremekamp also facilitates a variety of clubs that are student centered, and inquiry-based such as: “Coding, Programming, and Gaming, Oh My!”, “Production & Storytelling (through photography, video, animation, and podcasting)”, and “Young Innovators”.

Ms. Bremekamp is a teacher who constantly looks to push boundaries, engage learners, and create an environment where students are encouraged to explore a world of possibility. Ms. Bremekamp continues to be a wealth of knowledge, a champion of student learning and engagement, and a Teacher Who Rocks.https://wjrz.com/winners_twr21/

Within the walls of the Library Media Center, questions and answers volley with each other; thinking is always encouraged. But, even with and especially because of, Samantha’s lessons remain valid and current; involving tough topics like race, environment, and social behavior like bullying. She creates a learning environment where students are safe and welcome to explore a world of possibility.

We’re honoring Samantha Bremekamp of Shrewsbury Borough School as a Teacher Who Rocks because teachers create future leaders.

MakingIt Happen Award 2021

Making It Happen
We honor visionary educators and leaders who empower learners and solve tough problems in education.
ISTE, in collaboration with 60+ partner organizations, work together to identify and spotlight amazing education leaders through the Making It Happen awards program. Each year, participating organizations select educators who are making an enormous impact on their schools or communities. Making It Happen awardees receive the coveted Making It Happen jacket and free ISTE membership for a year.
Award recipients are educators who:
Move forward and don’t look back.

See students as real people.

Use technology in innovative ways to support learning goals.

Teach through relationships – inspiring, encouraging and nurturing.

Recognize that further change is necessary, but understand that it’s a process.

Realize that teacher empowerment is key to transforming learning.

Expect success.

Motivate through awareness and access to information.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

12×12 PB Challenge

  • 2021 to present

SCBWI

  • 2009 to present

July 2020 The Climate Reality Leadership Corps Virtual 

  • Certification

July 2019 National Geographic Educators Summit Jackson Hole, WY

  • Participant in the NatGeo Ed Summit 
  • Representative of NatGeo at upcoming conferences to share about the geo inquiry process as an ambassador

October 2019 NASA Social NASA HQ, Washington, D.C.

  • #Artemis #SuitUp New Space Suit Launch Event for first women’s moonwalk 

March 2018 NASA Social Kennedy Space Center, FL

  • GOESS Space Satellite Rocket Launch

February 2022- Present                       TeenLife

Research Specialist

  • Researching current programming offered to teens
  • Researching health care academic programs
  • Researching summer programs
  • Researching best contacts for future partnerships

January 2016-June 2021 Shrewsbury Borough School Shrewsbury, NJ

School Media Specialist and Innovation Teacher

  • Teacher of K-8: Library as a special for grades K-5 and teaching how to do proper research as well as building literature appreciation for grades 6-8.
  • Teacher of Innovation and STEM/STEAM/STREAM and Technology.
    • Examples: Coding, programming, Lego WeDo 2.0, App Smashing, website design, electrical circuitry, makerspace, storybook stem, e-book trailers etc, Google Earth, Google Tour Builder, 360 camera, FlipgridAR, Buncee, SeeSaw; Design Thinking, Social Emotional Learning, flipped classrooms, subject specific curation, Novel Engineering, augmented reality, virtual reality, robotic engineering, global problem solving and awareness.
  • Library collection curation
  • Programming for the book fair, Author Day, Read Across America, Battle of the Books, Summer Reading Kick Off etc.
  • Reader’s advisory for students in K-8 with an understanding of reading levels and interests in a wide range of areas.
  • After school clubs: Young Innovators, Movie Magic with stop motion animation, green screen, and video editing, TedTalks Student Edition, “Coding, Programming, and Gaming, Oh my!” and virtual book club. Softball Coach.
  • Tech Coach providing professional development and support. Spearheading virtual learning for the entire staff and community. 

November 2015-January 2016 Monmouth County Library Manalapan, NJ

Information Architect and Branch Services Librarian

  • Reference librarian
  • Circulation duties
  • Technology Specialist
  • Coverage and scheduling
  • Timesheets
  • Interviewing, hiring, and training
  • Cloud based workspace creation and management for staff of 27 libraries
  • Programming and marketing, including social media
  • Innovator and Problem Solver

December 2014-December 2015 Matawan Aberdeen Public Library Matawan, NJ

Library Intern (Paid)

  • Reference Desk
  • Circulation Desk
  • Technology Desk
  • Children’s Desk
  • Programs: Marketing/PR and management of programs and events for children, tweens, teens, adults, seniors and families
  • Grant Writing
  • Collections Development

June 2008- January 2017 Corvisiero Literary Agency New York, NY

Literary Agent

  • Client management
  • Conferences: speak on panels, teach classes, presentations, pitches and critique sessions. 
  • Writer’s retreat workshops: teaching publishing industry secrets, and writing tips

July 2014-January 2015 New York University New York, NY

Assistant Director of Student Affairs at NYU School of Law

  • Independently organizes the logistics for over 50 events and conferences each year
  • Assists the Director and Assistant Vice Dean with special projects, presentations, trainings, logistical management, heavy scheduling, and calendar management

July 2012-July 2014 New York University New York, NY

Program Coordinator Law and Business Initiatives at NYU

  • Assists the Executive Director with reimbursements, heavy scheduling, and calendar management
  • Schedules conference rooms, and lunch and dinner meeting reservations

July 2012-July 2014 New York University New York, NY

Program Coordinator for the Jacobson Leadership Program in Law and Business

  • Assists the Co-Directors of the program, the law and business faculty, the four research fellows, and the four faculty directors of the Business Law Transactions Clinic with reimbursements, scheduling, and administrative management
  • Maintains Budget, and predict for future budgets as needed.
  • Works directly with donors including namesakes of programs and various sponsored events.
  • Assists JD/MBA students, and JD scholars
  • Independently plans events for the program and other departments: luncheon speaker series, receptions, conferences, round tables, annual school wide committee meetings, advisory board meetings, and student information sessions.
  • Advises students, maintain confidential student records and databases
  • Works with Oracle/PeopleSoft, Brio, Albert, Advance, Umail and Microsoft Office Suite
  • Works with other offices: Communications, Financial Services, Alumni Affairs, Student Affairs, Career Services, and the Events Services, outside vendors, and faculty

October 2010- July 2012                           Columbia University                                 New York, NY

Program Coordinator for the Program in Economic Policy Management at SIPA

  • Coordinates and supervises work-study employees,  casual employees, and Department Research Assistants for projects and general office functions 
  • Works closely with PEPM students, directing them to appropriate campus resources

with respect to the following university policies and regulations: visa processing;

transcript requests, graduation requirements, orientation to New York, etc. 

  • Prepares PEPM student resumes for distribution at the World Bank and IMF in preparation for student summer internships.  Assists in the organization of the PEPM annual trip to Washington, D.C.
  • Independently organizes the logistics for PEPM events, including the PEPM Orientation, Graduation Reception, Visiting Faculty Lectures, Visiting Alumni Information Sessions
  • Acts as the PEPM Housing Liaison, advising incoming students on applying for University Apartment Housing, International House and Off-campus housing options.  Assigns PEPM’s housing allocation, in coordination with the PEPM Assistant Director, to incoming students.  Assists PEPM in lobbying UAH for continued increases in its yearly housing allocation. 
  • Communicates with PEPM alumni on alumni affairs issues and events. 
  • Updates alumni contact information in Advance.
  • Develops alumni profiles for SIPA website.
  • Updates PEPM’s website with news and events on a monthly basis, and with updated course and curricular information on a semester basis.

March 2009-September 2010Douglass Residential College, Rutgers New Brunswick, NJ

Event Coordinator for Recruiting and New Student Services Office

  • Presentations; Creation and Delivery
  • Creates events from the ground up: Open House, Admitted Students Weekend, Move In Day, Orientation, Information Sessions
  • Logistical analysis and coverage
  • Secures funding from donors
  • Advises Student Leadership Groups, train student groups, train orientation leaders
  • Coordinates and runs orientations and move in day for incoming and transfer students

October 2008-February 2009 Sterling Inc., Barnes and Noble Publishing New York, NY

Database Administrator

  • Maintains Databases
  • Heavy Scheduling and Phones
  • Oversees Meetings
  • Updates heavy notes with progression of the creation of books

June 2006 – May 2008 Redmoon Productions           New York, NY

Director’s Assistant

  • Responsible for daily office administration including heavy phones for Director, filing, mailings, distribution of tapes, production drafts & memos, and organizing tape library.
  • Helps with creation and delivery of pitches to top clientele
  • Works as Production Assistant, Special Events Coordinator for production and completion of each 

EDUCATION:

October 2021 University of Vienna

  • Master’s in Anglophone Literatures and Cultures

July 2019 National Geographic

  • Educators Summit Jackson Hole, WY

February 2019-April 2019                                   National Geographic  

  • Geo Inquiry                                    

January 2019-March 2019                                    Tufts University               Medford, MA

  • Novel Engineering

July 2018- August 2018                                       Florida State University                                  London, UK

  • Social Media Study Abroad                     

Spring 2018                                                         National Geographic 

  • Educator’s Certification

Spring 2018

  • NASA Social Alumna

Jan 2017-Feb 2018

  • State of New Jersey Teaching License 

May 2016-Aug 2017

  • School Media Specialist Certification

January 2015-May 2016           Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ

  • Masters of Information 4.0 GPA

August 2002 – May 2006                                  Manhattan College                     Bronx, NY

  • Graduated with Honors (Lambda Pi Eta)
  • BA in Corporate & Interpersonal Communications; Minor: English Literature

Technology Skills

  • G-Suite & MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
  • Research: Proquest, EBSCOhost, GALE, ReferenceUSA, et al.
  • App smashing: Screencastify, FlipgridAR, Buncee, SeeSaw, WeVideo, iMovie, DoInk, Google Cardboard, AR/VR
  • Google Certified Level 1 and 2
  • Data Systems: Oracle/PeopleSoft, Brio, Advance, Albert, SIS, Apply Yourself, Accounts Payable, Umail email list server, Survey Monkey; Dashboard; Workflows; Eventkeeper, etc.
  • Website editing; blogging; Google docs; HTML/PHP/MySQL/Java coding, flash animation, video editing
  • Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr
  • Former host of NJAS Instagram @OfficialNJAS; upcoming AASL instagram account host for annual conference 
  • Podcasting
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