Karen Bonanno, Director
Qualifications
Master of Applied Science (Teacher Librarianship) With Distinction (2005)
Graduate Diploma in Teacher Librarianship (1987)
Bachelor of Arts - Humanities (1979)
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (1978)
Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training (2000)
Certificate III in Competency Assessment (1999)
Certificate of Attainment in Performance Psychology - Personal & Professional Development (1999)
Neuro-Linguistic Programming Level 1 (1999)
Major awards
- Exponential Entrepreneur of the Year 2011
- Capra Ryan Australian Teacher Librarianship Prize - 2005 - Charles Sturt University for the student with the highest grade point average in the Master of Applied Science (Teacher Librarianship) Course
- Australian School Library Association Citation Award - 2001 - national biennial award to commend and give recognition of services to teacher librarianship
- IASL/SIRS Commendation Award - 1997 - international award for projects for the CD-ROM, Teaching Information Skills, as the Project Officer on behalf of the Australian School Library Association
Career history
In 1979, Karen Bonanno began her teaching career as an Assistant Instructor - General studies/library/media in the foundation year of the Dalby Agricultural College.
She has worked in government and private schools in Queensland as a secondary teacher, teacher librarian, Head of Department - Resources and Acting Deputy Principal.
Karen has held executive positions of vice president, president and past president at the state and national level of the School Library Association of Queensland Inc and the Australian School Library Association Inc.
In 1992, Karen was appointed to the position of Regional Educational Adviser - Library and Resource Services with Education Queensland. In this capacity she
- provided assistance and advice in the training, development and supervision of teacher aides attached to the school library
- offered advice and assistance in the selection, organisation and effective use of learning resources
- promoted the effective use of resources in cooperative planning and implementation of classroom programs that reflected resource-based learning
- maintained and coordinated library resource support networks
- advised on the effective implementation of library automation systems
- planned and delivered professional development activities
- developed regional policy and procedures for school libraries and school library personnel
Her move to Brisbane from Central Queensland provided an opportunity to work with the Open Access Unit as an Education Officer (Special Duties). Specific achievements within this position were:
- supervising the Opening Collections in New Schools Project for resource centres in new state schools
- establishing a self-funding system for the on-going operation of the Periodical Centre for Schools and coordinating the ongoing operations
- identifying and providing support to over 200 school-based reviewers of learning resources
- developing links with School Co-operative Networks across Queensland
In 1994, Karen established her own consultancy and training business - Queensland Library and Information Services. The following year she moved to Central Queensland and continued to operate her business, praising the early advent of electronic mail.
Being open to communication and feedback from her customers and with opportunities for expansion, Karen changed the business name in 1997 to Karen Bonanno & Associates - specialising in educational applications of information literacy, information & communication technology and knowledge management.
In February 2004, Karen established a company - KB Enterprises (Aust) Pty Ltd - a reflection of the growth and development of her organisation.
She has worked with many educational groups, organisations and professional associations as a consultant, project officer, educator and trainer, and executive officer.
Karen has presented papers and workshops at numerous state, national and international conferences and has published in various journals, educational newsletters and books.