Ashley J. Cooksey

Curriculum Vitae

Website

ashleycooksey.com

Email

ashley.cooksey2@gmail.com

acooksey@atu.edu 

Ashley J. Cooksey, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and Program Director for the Library Media and Instructional Technology programs at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. She maintains active membership in state and national research, library, and educational technology organizations, including AASL and ISTE, where she has received multiple awards, including the 2023 ISTE Making It Happen Award. Dr. Cooksey is a passionate advocate for school library media services, technology-enhanced teaching and learning, and Universal Design for Learning. She is also a 200-hour registered yoga teacher.

Current Research Interests

School librarianship; School librarian leadership; Universal Design for Learning; Digital citizenship & media literacy; Technology-enhanced teaching & learning; Mindfulness & awareness in a K-12 setting; School library media advocacy, specifically ensuring all students have access to a school library staffed with a qualified full-time school librarian

Education

• Change Leadership (Ph.D.) | Digital Age Curriculum & Instruction, University of Central Arkansas, 2025

Dissertation Title: Examining the multifaceted roles of school librarian leadership: A phenomenological study of school librarians’ lived experiences in inclusive leadership

Chair: Dr. Donna Wake, Professor

Committee: Drs. Erin Shaw, Jessica Herring-Watson, Amy Hawkins

• Master of Education | Instructional Technology Library Media Specialist, Arkansas Tech University, 2011
• Bachelor of Science in Education | Early Childhood Education, Arkansas Tech University, 2006

Licensure & Certification

• Early Childhood Education (Arkansas Code 001); Pk-4
• Library Media Specialist (Arkansas Code 295); Pk-8
• Library Media Specialist (Arkansas Code 296); 7-12
• Grade 5/6 Business Tech Endorsement (Arkansas Code 419); 5-6
• Registered Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance); 200-hour RYT

Professional Experience

August 2023 - present        Assistant Professor & Library Media Program Director

                                Arkansas Tech University; Russellville, AR

October 2020 - Aug 2023        Director, Technology Learning Center

University of Central Arkansas; Conway, AR

August 2019 - Oct 2020        Adjunct Instructor, Department of Leadership Studies

University of Central Arkansas; Conway, AR

August 2019 - present        ISTE-U Course Facilitator - Future Ready Librarianship

International Society of Technology in Education; Arlington, VA

July 2018 - June 2019        Instructional Technology Coach

                                Batesville High School; Batesville School District; Batesville,

AR

July 2013 - June 2018        School Librarian - grades K-6

West Magnet Elementary; Batesville School District; Batesville, AR

July 2011 - June 2013        School Librarian - grades 5-8

                                Osceola STEM Charter School; Osceola School District;

Osceola, AR

July 2007 - June 2009        Third Grade Teacher, Reading First Program

                                Fordyce Elementary School; Fordyce School District;

Fordyce, AR

Higher Education Courses

• Arkansas Tech University

• LBMD 6003 Collection Development and Management
• LBMD 6023 Classification and Cataloging
• LBMD 6033 Instructional Role of the School Library Media Specialist
• LBMD 6403 Literature for Children and Young Adults
• LBMD 6503 School Librarian: Leadership and Collaboration
• EDMD 6233 Administration of Media Programs
• EDMD 6433 Practicum in Educational Media

• University of Central Arkansas

• ITEC 6320 Teaching & Learning Coding & Programming I
• ITEC 6368 Technology Planning & Leadership
• ITEC 6371 Universal Design for Learning
• ITEC 6372 Online Course Design, Delivery, Implementation, and Evaluation
• ITEC 6373 Online Teaching & Instructional Strategies
• ITEC 6380 Support Student Success in Online Teaching
• LIBM 6353 Teaching & Learning in the School Library Media Center

Awards & Honors

• ISTE Making It Happen Award, Arkansas Association of Instructional Media, 2023
• University of Central Arkansas Wellness Champion Award, 2022
• Herb Lawrence Leadership Service Award, Arkansas Association of Instructional Media, 2022
• Technology Leader of the Year, Arkansas Association of Instructional Media, 2021
• Pat McDonald Outstanding Individual Achievement Award, Arkansas Association of Instructional Media, 2019
• AASL Social Media Superstar - Advocacy Ambassador, 2018
• Retta Patrick Award, Arkansas Library Association 2018
• Retta Patrick Award, Arkansas Library Association 2014

Publications

• Cooksey, A. (2026). Future school librarians and AI-assisted collaborative lesson planning conversations [Manuscript in preparation]. Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership, Arkansas Tech University.
• Cooksey, A. (2026). Enhancing learning through virtual and augmented reality: An observational study of school library instruction [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership, Arkansas Tech University.
• Cooksey, A. (2026). HQIM provides the script. School librarians provide the stage: School librarians as partners in High-Quality Instructional Materials implementation in Arkansas [White paper]. Arkansas Tech University Faculty Publications - Teaching and Educational Leadership. 67. https://orc.library.atu.edu/faculty_pub_lead/67 
• Cooksey, A. (2026). Preparing school librarians: Using the 2nd ed. of National School Library Standards in LIS programs. Knowledge Quest, 54(3), 10-15.
• Charlefour, S., Cooksey, A., & Hunt, A. (2025). From curiosity to mastery: Building learner competency across grade levels with the AASL standards. Knowledge Quest, 54(2), 42–44.
• American Association of School Librarians. (2025). National school library standards for learners, school librarians, and school libraries (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. [Co-author and contributing member, AASL Standards Review Committee, 2023–2025]
• Cooksey, A. (2024, January). School librarians as digital citizenship leaders. Knowledge Quest, 52(3).
• Shaw, E. & Cooksey, A. (2023, March). Engagement strategies in the library: Sustaining student attention. School Library Connection.
• Cooksey, A. (2022). Book review: Developing digital detectives: Essential lessons for discerning fact from fiction in the ‘Fake News’ Era. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 14(3), 132-134. https://doi.org/10.23860/JMLE-2022-14-3-11 
• Cooksey, A., & Luetkemeyer, J. (September 2021). Health and healing in the school library: A return to better? Knowledge Quest, 50(1).
• Chun, T., Cooksey, A., & Kleinmeyer, L. (September 2021). Incorporating mindfulness in the school library three ways. Knowledge Quest, 50(1).
• Cooksey, A. (2020, December). Coding through picture books. School Library Connection. https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/LessonPlan/2258830?topicCenterId=2247900 
• Cooksey, A. Chromebook app Hub. Coding with Picture Books. https://chromebookapphub.withgoogle.com/ideas/coding-with-picture-books.
• Cooksey, A. (Nov. 29, 2017). School librarian named chair-elect of instructional media association, to lead professional development for teachers; Batesville Daily Guard, p. A2.
• Cooksey, A. (Feb. 9, 2017). Librarian: Technology thrives at West; Batesville Daily Guard, p. A7.
• Cooksey, A. (January 3, 2017). Partnerships Beyond Four Walls: How school-library relationships create community; American Libraries, p. 72

Presentations

• School Librarians Playground [coordinator];  International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 28-July 1, 2026, Orlando, FL
• Creating Accessible Documents in Blackboard; Arkansas Tech University Tech Talks Professional Development Day; May 7, 2026, Russellville, AR
• Library Resources to Support Awareness, Mindfulness, and Self-care; American Association of School Librarians (AASL); October 2025, St. Louis, MO
• A Forum to Discuss the 2nd Edition in LIS Programs; American Association of School Librarians (AASL); October 2025, St. Louis, MO
• Using the AASL Standards in Elementary School Library Instruction; American Association of School Librarians (AASL); October 2025, St. Louis, MO
• AASL National School Library Standards 2nd Edition; American Association of School Librarians (AASL); October 2025, St. Louis, MO
• Explore, Play, & Plan - AAIM Preconference [coordinator]; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media; July 7, 2025, Conway, AR
• Future Ready Librarians; International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 28-July 2, 2025, San Antonio, TX
• School Librarians Playground [coordinator];  International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 28-July 2, 2025, San Antonio, TX
• Let’s Get Ethical! Ethical!; International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 28-July 2, 2025, San Antonio, TX
• Tech Tools for Teaching & Learning; Arkansas Tech University Tech Talks Professional Development Day; May 8, 2025, Russellville, AR
• How Stress Shows Up & What to Do to Mitigate It; Arkansas Tech University Nursing Research Day; April 29, 2025, Russellville, AR
• Tech Tools for Teaching & Learning; Arkansas Tech University Adjunct Conference; October 25, 2024, Russellville, AR
• Renew and Recharge: Energizing your mind and your mission [keynote]; Southern Utah Media Specialist Conference; November 16, 2024, Cedar City, UT
• Giving Students Agency: facilitating student choice and voice; Southern Utah Media Specialist Conference; November 16, 2024, Cedar City, UT
• Ask a Librarian: You Have Questions, We Have Answers [poster session]; International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 2024, Denver, CO
• School Librarians Playground [co-coordinator];  International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 2024, Denver, CO
• Tech Tools A to Z: 26+ digital tools, sites, and apps; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media; June 20, 2024, Hot Springs, AR
• Digital Leadership Through the Roles of a School Librarian; Grant Wood Area Education Agency; April 8, 2024, Cedar Rapids, IA [virtual]
• Picture Books & Problem-Solving: The coding connection; American Association of School Librarians’ National Convention; October 2023, Tampa, FL
• Grab & Go Maker Kits: taking the makerspace home; American Association of School Librarians’ National Convention; October 2023, Tampa, FL
• Mindfulness and Self-care: Library resources to support students and faculty; International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 2023, Philadelphia, PA
• Ask a Librarian: You Have Questions, We Have Answers;  International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 2023, Philadelphia, PA
• ISTE U Course Preview: Future Ready Librarianship; International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 2023, Philadelphia, PA
• Giving Students Agency: three ways to facilitate student choice & voice with digital tools; ISTE Summer Learning Academy [virtual] 2023
• Giving Students Agency: three ways to facilitate student choice & voice with digital tools; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media; April 2023, Little Rock, AR
• Picture Books & Problem-Solving: The coding connection-Playground Session; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media; April 2023, Little Rock, AR
• Hi, I’m New Here: New and returning members forum; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (AAIM); April 2023, Little Rock, AR
• Everything from A to Z: 26 digital tools, sites, and apps; Arkansas State Library's Youth Services Workshop; March 17, 2023, Little Rock, AR (virtual)
• Giving Students Agency: three ways to facilitate student choice & voice with digital tools; Arkansas Instructional Innovation Association (aiia); February 11, 2023, Conway, AR
• SEL in Online Learning Environments-Playground Session; International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 28, 2022, New Orleans, LA
• Picture Books & Problem-Solving: The coding connection-Playground Session; International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 28, 2022, New Orleans, LA
• Mindfulness and Self-care: Library resources to support students and faculty; International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); June 27, 2022, New Orleans, LA
• Get Involved! Leadership Opportunities in AAIM; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (AAIM); April 26, 2022, Little Rock, AR
• Picture Books and Problem-Solving: The coding connection; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (AAIM); April 25, 2022, Little Rock, AR
• Hi, I’m New Here: New and returning members forum; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (AAIM); April 24, 2022, Little Rock, AR
• Mindfulness and Self-care: Library resources to support students and faculty; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (AAIM); April 24, 2022, Little Rock, AR
• Mindfulness and Self-care: Library resources to support students and faculty; Arkansas Society for Technology in Education (ArkSTE); February 19, 2022, Conway, AR
• Picture Books and Problem-Solving: The coding connection; Arkansas Society for Technology in Education (ArkSTE); February 19, 2022, Conway, AR
• Mindfulness and Self-care: Library resources to support students and faculty; AASL 2021; October 21-23, 2021, Salt Lake City, UT
• Mindfulness and Self-care: Library resources to support students and faculty; ISTE 2021; June 29, 2021, virtual conference
• Picture Books and Problem-Solving: The coding connection; Little Rock School District Librarians, June 2021, Virtual
• Digital Makerspaces & Playgrounds; Little Rock School District Librarians, June 2021, Virtual
• Social-emotional Learning in Online Environments; Arkansas Educational Cooperatives (multiple sites), 2021
• Engaging Students in Online Learning Environments; Arkansas Educational Cooperatives (multiple sites), 2021
• Building an Online Space for K-12 Learners; University of Central Arkansas Summer PD Series; July 2020, online
• Picture Books and Problem-Solving: the coding connection; Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA) Conference 2020, March 2020, Omaha, NE
• Picture Books and Problem-Solving: The coding connection; American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference, November 2019, Louisville, KY
• Picture Books and Problem-Solving: The Coding Connection; University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Media & Literacy Conference, July 2019
• Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s an advocate!; University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Media & Literacy Conference, July 2019
• Continued Learning with Twitter & Your PLN; University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Media & Literacy Conference, July 2019
• Your Librarian Does What?! Empower Your Librarian as a Leader!; ISTE 2019, Philadelphia, PA
• Picture Books and Problem-Solving: The Coding Connection; ISTE 2019, Philadelphia, PA
• Pairing Picture Books and Technology: the print-digital connection; Arkansas Department of Education Learning Services Summit, Hot Springs, AR,  2019
• iTeach 2019: There’s a Standard for That; AAIM 2019, Rogers, AR
• #ArkTLChat @ AAIM; AAIM 2019, Rogers, AR
• Coding & Early Literacy; ISTE Librarian Network Digital Playground, ISTE, Chicago, IL, 2018
• AASL Standards; Arkansas Educational Cooperatives (multiple sites), 2018
• Coding & Early Literacy; Innovation Institute, Springdale, AR; 2018
• Continued Learning with Twitter and Your PLN; Innovation Institute, Springdale, AR; 2018
• Pairing Picture Books with Tech F.U.N.; Innovation Institute, Springdale, AR; 2018
• AAIM Twitter Chat Live #ARKTLChat with Jen Lyon; AAIM 2018
• Coding with codeSpark Academy; AAIM Digital Playground, AAIM 2018
• AAIM Twitter Chat Live #ARKTLChat with Jen Lyon; AAIM 2017
• Social Media as an Advocacy Tool with Jen Lyon; AAIM 2017
• The Spirit of Collaboration; Arkansas Association of Instructional Media (AAIM) 2016
• Writer’s Panel, Publishing Professional Work; AAIM 2016
• Twitter After Hours; AAIM 2016
• Libraries and Computer Labs: A working collaboration; AAIM 2014
• A Look Through Google Glass; ArASL 2013
• Local author session: My Mom is a Super Hero; AAIM 2013

Committee Service & Consulting

2026

• ATU Faculty Welfare Committee (AY 2026-2027)
• ISTE 2026 Librarians’ Playground Coordinator
• ATU Head of Public Services Librarian at Ross Pendergraft Library Search Committee (con’t search)
• ISTE Community Leader (2026-2027)
• Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Committee
• AASL Publications Advisory Group (2025-2027)

2025

• ATU Department of Teaching & Educational Leadership Department Head Search Committee
• ATU Head of Public Services Librarian at Ross Pendergraft Library Search Committee (failed search)
• ATU Faculty Welfare Committee (AY 2025-2026)
• School Library Journal Content Creator - School Libraries 101 course
• AASL Publications Advisory Group (2025-2027)
• AASL National School Library Standards Review Committee member (2023-2025)
• ISTE Presentation Review Committee member
• ISTE 2025 Librarians’ Playground Coordinator
• ISTE Community Leader (2025-2026)
• Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Committee

2024

• ATU Department of Teaching & Educational Leadership Recruitment Chair
• AASL Knowledge Quest Content Expert, January/February issue
• AASL National School Library Standards Review Committee member (2023-2025)
• ISTE 2024 Librarians’ Playground Co-coordinator
• ISTE Community Leader (2024-2025)
• Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Committee
• Southwest Arkansas Educational Cooperative, School Librarians’ PLC

2023

• ATU Department of Teaching & Educational Leadership Recruitment Chair
• AASL National School Library Standards Committee member (2023-2025)
• AASL Presentation Review Committee member
• ISTE Presentation Review Committee member

• School Librarianship section
• Digital Citizenship section

• UCA Day of Giving Ambassador
• UCA BeWell Wellness Champion
• UCA College of Education Technology Committee member

2022

• UCA College of Education Dean’s Administrative Assistant, Hiring Committee member
• UCA Day of Giving Ambassador
• UCA BeWell Wellness Champion
• UCA Classroom Technology Committee member
• UCA College of Education Technology Committee member
• ISTE Presentation Review Committee member

• School Librarianship

2021

• UCA College of Education Administrative Assistant Office of Candidate Services, Hiring Committee member
• UCA Day of Giving Ambassador
• UCA BeWell Wellness Champion
• UCA Classroom Technology Committee member
• UCA College of Education Technology Committee member
• AASL Knowledge Quest Content Expert, September/October issue
• ISTE Presentation Review Committee member

• School Librarianship (2 sections)

2020

• UCA Classroom Technology Committee member
• UCA College of Education Technology Committee member
• ISTE Presentation Review Committee member

• School Librarianship

• Subject Expert on Library Leadership for OCLC APP Cohort

• May - Leading from the Library
• June - PLNs and Advocacy in Your Library

2019

• District Technology and Future Ready Planning Committee member, Batesville School District
• Arkansas Teen Book Award Reading Committee member

2018

• District Technology and Future Ready Planning Committee member, Batesville School District
• Arkansas Library Media Curriculum Framework Revision Committee member
• Arkansas Teen Book Award Reading Committee member

2017

• AASL National Standards Release Committee member, Arkansas Association of Instructional Media
• Parental Involvement Committee member, Batesville School District - West Elementary
• Arkansas Teen Book Award Reading Committee member

2016

• Parental Involvement Committee member, Batesville School District - West Elementary
• Arkansas Teen Book Award Reading Committee member

2015

• Parental Involvement Committee member, Batesville School District - West Elementary
• Arkansas Teen Book Award Reading Committee member

2013

• Arkansas Library Media Curriculum Framework Revision Committee member

Podcasts/Webinars/Videos/Twitter Chats

• From the Dean's Office: Pickles, Perseverance, and the Power of Libraries, June 2025
• 5th Annual Digital Learning App Smash for Future Ready Librarians, November 2024
• Quiet Advocacy - School Librarians United podcast, December 2023
• 4th Annual Digital Learning App Smash for Future Ready Librarians, November 2023
• Kicking Off a New School Year with Awareness and Mindfulness in the Library, August 2022
• Leading from the Library: Mindfulness in the Library; May 2022
• ALA Connect Live: Library Marketing & Outreach; April 2021
• School Librarians Play Critical Pandemic Role blog interview; August 2020
• Educator Show: New Skills - Preparing For The Next Steps in 2020; Find Your Grind #Misfit Educators, June 2020
• OCLC Virtual Town Hall: Libraries and the COVID-19 Crisis; OCLC webinar, April 2020
• I Earned a Badge, Now What? AASL webinar, October 2019
• EdCuration Podcast, October 2019
• Connected Educator Podcast: Share Your Story- Ashley Cooksey CEP021, September 2019
• Edutech Guys AAIM Conference Coverage: #ArkTLChat, April 2019
• Future Ready Librarians: Ensuring Equitable Digital Access webinar, November 2018
• Coding and Early Literacy, November 2018
• #FutureReadyLibs chat moderator, May 2018
• #ArkTLChat Co-founder, Moderator, and Contributor

Blogs

• A Ginger Librarian (inactive)
• Knowledge Quest, American Association of School Libraries (inactive)

Books Authored

• My Mom is a Super Hero, Tate Publishing, LLC. 2011 (out of print)

Publications Featured In

• Barnett, C. (2021, January). State standards revision the Arkansas way. Knowledge Quest, 49(3).
• Bruner, A. (May 1, 2019). Teacher earns state award; Batesville Daily Guard, p.A2
• Bruner, A. (March 6, 2019). BJHS, BHS students get county library cards for Chromebooks; Batesville Daily Guard, p. 1, p. A2
• Bass, W. & Miller, S. (2019). Leading from the Library: Help Your School Community Thrive in the Digital Age; p. 79-80; International Society for Technology in Education
• Bruner, A. (August 22, 2018). Chromebooks Rolled out for Batesville Students; Batesville Daily Guard, p. 1, p. A2.
• Robertson, N. (2017). Connected Librarians: Tap Social Media to Enhance Professional Development and Student Learning; p. 97; International Society for Technology in Education
• Mitchell, L. (Nov. 28, 2016). Batesville Board grants bonuses; Batesville Daily Guard, p. 1, p. 3.
• Mitchell, L. (May 13, 2014). Teachers eye newest technology; Batesville Daily Guard, p. 1, p. 5.

Professional Memberships

Arkansas Association of Instructional Media, 2012-present

Secretary, 2025

Elected Board Member, 2023-2025

ISTE Delegate Chair, 2024-2025

Long-Range Planning Chair, 2022-2024

Web Services Chair, 2021-2025

Leadership Chair, 2021-2022

President, 2018

Conference Chair, 2017

Public Relations Chair, 2017-2022

Appointed Board Member, 2016-2017, 2021-2023

Disaster Relief Committee Chair, 2015-2017

Arkansas Association of Instructional Media Journal Committee, 2013-2024

Arkansas Library Association (ArLA), 2012-present

Board Member-at-Large, 2025

Arkansas Association of School Librarians Chair, 2017

Arkansas Association of School Librarians Conference Chair, 2016

Scholarship Committee, 2015-2018

Membership Committee, 2014

American Library Association (ALA), 2015-present

American Association of School Librarians (AASL), 2015-present

AASL Publications Advisory Group, 2025-2027

AASL Standards Review Committee, 2023-2025

AASL Knowledge Quest Content Expert, Jan/Feb 2024 issue

AASL Knowledge Quest Content Expert, Sept/Oct 2021 issue

AASL State-level Leader, 2019-2020

American Association of School Librarians 2019 Conference Social Media Co-chair, 2018-2019

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), 2018-present

Librarians’ Playground Coordinator, 2025, 2026

ISTE Community Leader, 2024-present

Librarians’ Playground Co-coordinator, 2024

ISTE-U Instructor, Future Ready Librarianship course, 2019-present

Educational Technology Certifications

• Adobe Creative Educator, 2024
• Google Apps for Education Level 1 Certified Educator, 2023
• Google Apps for Education Level 2 Certified Educator, 2023
• Wakelet Ambassador, 2019-2024

• Wakelet Certified, October 2021

• Microsoft Flip (formally Flipgrid) Flipsider/Ambassador, Fall 2017-2024

• Flip Certified Level 3

• Codespark Coding and Early Literacy Subject Advisor, 2018-2019