Heights librarian follows her heart to teach in Africa

Shamekia Chandler in the Heights Libraries Children's Area

Shamekia Chandler, associate children’s librarian at Heights Libraries, has always followed her heart when it comes to her work. A love of children and books led her to a career as a children’s librarian. Now, her love for Africa is leading her to a new job teaching English in Ethiopia.

“Africa pulls on my heart,” explained Chandler. “I went to Ghana earlier this year to volunteer, and ever since then, I’ve been looking for a way to get back. When I saw this opportunity to teach in Ethiopia, I jumped at it.”

Chandler will be teaching at the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in sub-Saharan Africa by addressing the problems of poverty and illiteracy. She will also train village teachers in English, focusing on grammar, reading comprehension and English literacy.

“Her new job is really a logical next step for her,” said Nancy Levin, Heights Libraries director. “The library, and the children in our community, benefited greatly from her passion for literacy and learning. We will miss Shamekia terribly, but we are so happy for her and for her future students.”

In April 2011, Chandler won the prestigious Virginia Hamilton and Arnold Adoff Creative Outreach Grant for Teachers and Librarians. The grant supported Chandler’s popular children’s library program, “Cinderella Around the Globe.”

“Shamekia is great with children of all ages, but I know that the babies who came to her Baby Bop story time were really her favorites,” says Susan Black, children’s service librarian.  “We all share in her joy as she takes her songs and stories to Ethiopia.”