CASL Honors Willetta Payton-Roby with Administrator's Award

The Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL) has named Willetta Lynn Payton-Roby as this year’s winner of the prestigious Administrator's Award, recognizing an administrator who has demonstrated exceptional support for improving media services within their school/district. The award acknowledges the recipient's dedication in providing encouragement and adequate funding for program success and advancement.
 
"The CASL Administrator's Award is a testament to the outstanding leadership and unwavering support this administrator has provided to their school library program," said Jenny Lussier, President of CASL. "Their commitment to fostering a dynamic and impactful personalized learning environment for students and providing the necessary resources has made a significant impact on the educational journey of countless students. We are delighted to honor them for their exceptional dedication."

Payton-Roby was nominated by Casey Anderson, the library media specialist at Concord Magnet School. Anderson had this to say about his esteemed colleague:

Lynn Payton has been a true inspiration for library media specialists across our district. As an administrator, she leads with both heart and vision, constantly rallying us to advocate for ourselves and the vital role we play in education. Her encouragement to share our accomplishments and collaborate with one another has created a strong, unified community of library professionals who feel seen, valued, and empowered. Through her leadership, we are reminded that our voices matter, and that by working together, we can elevate the impact of library media programs across all schools.

Lynn is a fierce advocate for keeping librarians in every building, never hesitating to speak up and defend the importance of our roles. She understands the evolving nature of the library and actively supports our efforts to integrate curriculum, technology, artificial intelligence, and community engagement into our spaces. Her guidance helps us reimagine what a modern library can be — an innovative hub where learning is personalized, interdisciplinary, and student-driven. Because of Lynn's unwavering support and forward-thinking approach, we are not just keeping up with the times — we're leading the way.

For more information about CASL and the Administrator's Award, visit the CASL website at https://casl.wildapricot.org/
 
About CASL:
The Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL) is a professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in school library media programs and school libraries throughout Connecticut. CASL advocates for strong school library media programs that meet the needs of the entire school community and provide a foundation for lifelong learning. CASL recognizes members with awards and grants for outstanding programs that demonstrate creativity, collaboration, and integration into the school's curriculum.