معرفی
Debra E. Kachel is an Adjunct Professor at the Antioch University Seattle School of Education, where she teaches online graduate courses in the School Library Media Endorsement program. With over 30 years as a high school librarian and Pennsylvania K-12 library program supervisor, she has extensive experience in face-to-face and online education, having taught at Drexel University, Mansfield University, and McDaniel College.
- Education: MS in Information Studies (Drexel University); BS in Library Science and Supervisory Certificate (Millersville University, PA).
Research Focus: Kachel’s work centers on school librarianship, educational equity, and student achievement. Her research, particularly through the SLIDE (School Library Investigation-Decline or Evolution?) project, explores the national decline in school librarian positions and its impact on marginalized populations. Key findings highlight correlations between full-time librarians and improved standardized test scores, graduation rates, and mastery of academic standards, especially for students of color, low-income communities, and those with disabilities.
Scientific Awards:
- 2014 AASL (American Association of School Librarians) Distinguished Service Award for national leadership in library advocacy.
Advocacy and Leadership: Kachel serves on the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association’s Advocacy Committee, lobbying for mandated school librarians. She leads the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians (PARSL), addressing the lack of library services in Philadelphia’s 217 schools. Her grant work includes $349,000 from IMLS for SLIDE and $705,000 in Washington state ARTC grants to combat teacher and librarian shortages.
