Massachusetts School Library Association
            MEMBER PORTAL                
​Join or Renew     Member Directory​
  • Home
  • About Us
    • MSLA Leadership 2022-23
    • Executive Board Meetings
    • Joint Statements: MLA, MassCUE
    • Spotlight Archive
    • Strategic Plan 2016-22
    • MSLA Constitution
  • Membership
    • Member Portal
    • Join or Renew Your Membership
    • Members Map
    • Email List
    • Regions >
      • Boston
      • Northeast
      • Metrowest
      • Southeast
      • Central
      • West
  • Conference
    • MSLA and PDPs
  • Resources
    • DESE Rubric
    • Certification & Licensure
    • Program Standards & Rubrics
    • Job Description: School Librarian
    • Job Listings
    • MLS Strategic Planning
    • Intellectual Freedom
  • Advocacy
    • MA School Library Study for Equity & Access
    • Everyday Advocacy
    • ESSA
    • Exemplary Programs
  • Newsletter
    • 2023 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • February 2023
    • 2022 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • February 2022
      • May 2022
      • October 2022
    • 2021 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • February 2021
      • May 2021
      • October 2021
    • 2020 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • February 2020
      • May 2020
      • October 2020
    • 2019 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • February 2019
      • May 2019
      • October 2019
    • 2018 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • February 2018
      • May 2018
      • October 2018
    • 2017 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • February 2017
      • May 2017
      • September 2017
      • October 2017
    • 2016 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • February 2016
      • May 2016
      • October 2016
    • 2015 MSLA Forum Issues >
      • April 2015
      • November 2015
    • MSLA Forum 2002-2013
  • Awards
    • Judi Paradis Memorial Grant
    • Archive: History of Awards
    • 2019 Awards Pictures
    • 2018 Awards Pictures
    • 2017 Awards Pictures
    • 2016 Awards Pictures
    • 2015 Awards Pictures
  • Bookmark Contest
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 and 2018 Winners
    • 2016 and 2017 Winners
    • 2012 to 2015 Winners
    • 2009 to 2011 Winners
    • 2004 to 2008 Winners
    • Bookmark Judges

A Tribute to Sandra Roby

5/7/2019

2 Comments

 
Kendall Boninti is a Library Teacher at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

Remembering Sandra Roby
A Librarian and Administrator in Waltham Public Schools for 37 Years
​

Sandra was truly a strong and impactful leader, who believed deeply in the profession.

Throughout her career, she continually stood up for library programs and never shied away from an opportunity to prove the value and positive impact that well-funded and professionally staffed library programs have on children.

Sandra was a visionary and understood early on the impact that educational tech would have on school library programs. Well ahead of the terms “21st-Century Learning” and “transliteracy” entering our vocabulary, she pushed hard for libraries to be the transformative spaces where technology and learning intersect in meaningful and authentic experiences for students.
Sandra was the kind of boss every librarian dreams of having. In truth, she was more of a mentor and role-model than a boss. Many of us who worked under her found we just wanted her to be proud of the work we were doing. It wasn’t about SMART goals and DDMs with her; it was about how she helped us accomplish our goals. She made us feel valued and appreciated and let us know in so many ways that the work we do is important. Most importantly, Sandra made us feel like an extension of her family. She was extremely proud of her children and always shared their accomplishments with her friends and colleagues.

For those of you that didn’t know Sandra well, she was always a presence in any room she entered. Her wardrobe was to be envied and included 6-inch heels, leather suit dresses, and the trendiest of eyewear. Only Sandra could wear wellies with Lululemon leggings and a stylish sweater and still look like she was ready for a meeting in New York City. She lived life to the fullest, doing ballet and yoga, enjoying (and sharing) the most delicious gourmet food, gardening, and hanging with her family at the Cape.

I hope wherever Sandra and Judi are, they’re enjoying a bottle of Chardonnay, discussing their favorite books, sending us lots of good vibes, and trusting us to carry on their legacy.
2 Comments
Joyce guelli link
5/13/2019 01:20:59 pm

I knew Sandra for the length of her public school career. She was that boss/mentor to me. Ms Boninti captured her perfectly, including her eyewear. To lose both Sandra and Judi Paradis a month apart is just unimaginable. They have both left a lasting legacy.

Reply
Kathy May
5/22/2019 10:58:01 am

Thank you Kendall for expressing what so many of us felt for Sandra Roby. Sandra was the quintessential mentor and role-model . She was also a great human being. Losing both Sandra and Judi Paradis made this a hard year for the library community.
We need more like Sandra and Judi, not less.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Forum Newsletter

    Co-Editors
    Reba Tierney and
    ​Luke Steere

    Reba is the School Librarian at Waltham High School; Luke is School Librarian at  Wilson Middle in Natick

    Click to set custom HTML

    Categories

    All
    AASL
    Academic
    Advocacy
    ALA
    Authors
    Book Bans
    Book Challenges
    Book Trailers
    Cataloging
    Censorship
    Column
    Conference
    Copyright
    Culture
    Databases
    Dewey
    Digital Citizenship
    E Books
    E-books
    Elementary
    ESSA
    Ethics
    Evaluation
    Graphic Books
    Graphic Novels
    Inquiry
    Leadership
    Learning Commons
    Legislation
    Literacy
    Maker Space
    Nonfiction
    Orientation
    Planning
    PLN
    President's Remarks
    Professional Development
    Reading
    Research
    Science
    Secondary
    Standards
    Technology
    Union
    Volunteers
    Weeding

    Archives

    February 2023
    October 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    October 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    April 2015

    MSLA Forum Past Issues:
    January 2015
    April 2015
    ​
    2002-2015 MSLA Forum
The Massachusetts School Library Association  works to ensure every school has a school library program that is fully integrated at all grade levels across the curriculum and has a significant and measurable impact on student achievement….Read more…..and Learn more about MSLA

Contact MSLA:
Emily Kristofek, Office Manager/Event Planner
P.O. Box 336. Wayland, MA 01778
ekristofek@maschoolibraries.org
​
508-276-1697 

Massachusetts School Library Association. All Rights Reserved.  Copyright 2023.