Committee 

Nyssa Kelly: Convenor

Nyssa is the TL at Belair PS and Convener of the MANTLE Conference. She is passionate about advocating for Teacher Librarians and ensuring libraries are a hub of learning in all schools. Nyssa is an absolute bibliophile, driven by a desire to instill a love of literature and reading in not just her students, but her colleagues and friends. She believes there is a book for everyone! Nyssa has been involved with MANTLE for as long as she has been a Teacher Librarian. She joined the committee after attending a conference at Town Hall. The feelings of inspiration, excitement, enthusiasm and collegiality she walked away with at the end of that conference are how she would like every person attending MANTLE to feel.

Amanda Craig: Treasurer & Social Media Coordinator

Amanda Craig is a passionate Teacher Librarian working at Telarah Public School. She has worked in various roles in her 23 year career, doing everything from preschool, Early Intervention, primary, High School and TAFE but found her true love when becoming a TL 11 years ago. Amanda has an extensive background in visual arts, where she completed her Honours and started her teaching career as a High School Visual Arts teacher. Her love of visual arts influences her teaching and learning and is why she is passionate about picture books. Amanda is an active member of her local TL networking group MASLA and has been a MANTLE committee member since 2015, currently serving as Treasurer. She has presented sessions on advocating for the TL position and the library and has built a strong social media community through her school library Instagram @telarahpslibrary

Helena Powell: Trade Fair & Venue Coordinator

Helena Powell is an enthusiastic and proud Teacher Librarian at St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar in the Hunter Valley. Helena has over 20 years  experience teaching in primary schools, including 10 years teaching in London. For the last 8 years she has discovered the special place that is the role of the Teacher Librarian. She has incredible passion as a storyteller and is a firm believer in the power of story to change lives and the absolute importance of literacy. “The fire of literacy is created by the emotional sparks between a child, a book, and the person reading.” Mem Fox. This is reflected in her ability to transport children into the story world of the author with her storytelling. Helena is an active member of her local TL networking group MASLA and has recently joined the MANTLE committee. She has presented sessions on digital breakout rooms and uses Instagram as a platform to advocate for the TL role with her account @10hipporeads.  

Jae Rolt: Merchandise

Jae Rolt is the Teacher Librarian at Cessnock West PS.  She is passionate about her role as a Teacher Librarian and loves being able to teach every child from K – 6 and help to instill in them a love of learning and reading. Jae has been teaching for over 26 years and has been the TL at Cessnock West for 20 years. Jae is an active member of the local teacher Librarian network group – MASLA and has been on the MANTLE committee for 6 years. Jae has previously presented at MANTLE after winning ALIA’s award for Australia’s Favourite Librarian in 2013.

Kerry Gittins: Website & Venue Tech Coordinator

Kerry is a writer, podcaster and retired teacher librarian from Newcastle. She has worked as a TL and music teacher in Australia and overseas. Kerry has been a member of various library networks  and presented at conferences in Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam on libraries and technology. She was co-organiser from 2018-2020 of the Library Mini Conference strand of the 21st Century Learning Hong Kong (21CLHK) conference. Kerry was a previous member of the MANTLE committee from 2011 to 2014. She believes libraries are essential to the learning and well being of all schools and their communities.  Find out more on The Book Tree and Instagram. She podcasts with teacher librarian friend Lynette Barker, and together they co-author With This Book We Can, where they chat about how to incorporate Australian literature in your programming and use it to enhance your teaching and learning. ​​You can listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and follow the links to show notes on their websites.