* Do you have extra gift cards you want to donate? Are you interested in hosting a home party? Do you have a home business you would like to promote through a gift basket?

* Can you help in any other ways? Please contact Cherisse Riney at (925) 270-5735. 

March 7, 2015 6:00-11:00 pm

Heather Farms Community Center Lakeside Room

Education - SF State University, BA in Liberal Studies; teaching credential for K-12 (life credential); Cal State Hayward, MS in Child Literature; and San Jose State, librarian credential.

Position and years at Bancroft - I have been here 14 years as librarian and 10 years teaching 2nd and 3rd grades. Before coming to Bancroft I taught 10 years at Holbrook Elementary.

How did you come to Bancroft? I found out about a teaching opening at Bancroft through my friend Darlene Chapman (Mrs. Giffin's mother). I knew a lot of the teachers and I had a good feeling about the school.

What do you most enjoy about teaching at Bancroft? Getting to see all the kids throughout the years. I love getting kids excited about books.

What is your mission as a Librarian? Help foster and encourage a lifelong love of reading in students.

What are your favorite things about Bancroft? The people - the administration, faculty, parents, and kids. I feel blessed to be at this school. The community here is just incredible. I wake up every day looking forward to going to work. 

What is the best part of your job? All about books and interacting with the kids. I love shopping for books and shelving books. I love being open at times they can come on their own.

Why are you in education? Both of my parents were teachers. I grew up never wanting to do anything else. When I played with the neighborhood kids growing up we played school in my garage. My parents had painted one wall with chalkboard paint and I was always the teacher.

What makes your job challenging? There is not enough time. I only get 30 minutes per class and I can't take the library home with me.

What are your guiding principles? The Golden Rule - treat others the way you want to be treated. Also, Bancroft's 3 Bs - Be Safe, Respectful, Be Responsible.

What profession, other than being a teacher, could you also see yourself doing? I would open a little bookstore/coffee shop by the ocean where local artisans could sell their wares.

What are the traits you admire most in others? Kindness, honesty, and sense of humor. I love to see people smile.

What are your hobbies and interests? Besides reading, I love working in my yard and garden getting my hands dirty. I also like to go to the ocean and pick shells and rocks. I also teach Sunday School at my church.

What was the last good book you read? I read a loot of children's books so I can recommend them to students, but my Christmas book last year was Small Victories by Anne Lamott.

Who has been the largest influence on your life? Definitely my Mom. She was a teacher at Mountain View Elementary and was awarded Teacher of the Year for Mount Diablo Unifed School Disctrict. She also liked to travel the world. Another huge influence was Ellie McDougal, a former Bancroft Librarian who recruited me out of the classroom and into the library.

What have been the greatest influences in your life? Being a parent. You look at the world differently.

Do you have a favorite quote?

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not." ~The Lorax, Dr Seuss