06/08/2026
We are excited to feature Ms. Ebonie L. Cleaves, a proud alumna of the University of West Georgia School Library Media program, Class of 2018, and the 2022 DeKalb County School District Media Specialist of the Year. Ebonie continues to represent UWG with excellence through her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to supporting future school library media professionals. See her story below! 🎉
“The School Library Media program at University of West Georgia prepared me for every aspect of my role as a school librarian. I was able to confidently do everything from budgeting and collection development to programming and instructional leadership. All the classes and assignments were relevant to the job expectations and provided practical skills I used daily as a school librarian.
The professors were absolutely outstanding. They were encouraging and always responsive. This program strengthened my confidence as a new educator, expanded my vision of what a school library can really be for the students, staff, and even community, and helped me grow not only as a librarian, but as a leader and lifelong learner. I am forever West!”
Ebonie is also leading meaningful work through Cultivating Librarianship through Instruction, Mentoring and Building skills, also known as CLIMB. CLIMB is a cohort-based professional learning initiative designed to support aspiring and early-career school library media professionals employed in the DeKalb County School District. The program cultivates leadership, builds professional knowledge, and strengthens connections between practicing educators, higher education faculty, and the broader library community. Through collaborative learning experiences, cohort members gain insight into the profession, current trends in school librarianship, and pathways for continued growth and certification.
We are so proud of Ebonie’s leadership, advocacy, and dedication to strengthening the future of school librarianship. Keep up the outstanding work, Ebonie! 💙❤️🐺
