About Us

My fascination with caregiving began before I was two years old, as the first in a family of nine children born within eleven years. My passion is helping children and young adults develop the communication skills and confidence they need to make sense of their world and to “find their own voices,” to express their unique gifts and talents.

To this work I bring my education and training in English language and literature, Library Science, Educational Media, PreK/Primary Education and Drama, seasoned by over 30 years experience as a children’s and young adult librarian, teaching actor, storyteller, conference presenter, editor, reviewer, writer and literacy specialist.

Original writing and music include: Pockets, Through The Screen Door, The Magic Fishbone: A Play, The Strange Visitor, Sarah and the Violet Witch, Thunderstorm, Touching the Hand of God, Free As a Bird, Brother Goose Riddles, WE Are Mother Goose, The Boo Boo Books (a beginning reader series), and Florida Edible Flowers.

PUBLISHER & AUTHOR:
2011-  Molly Brave, LLC    Books and Fine Arts Media for children & families, teachers & caregivers, librarians & media specialists

LIBRARIAN and MEDIA SPECIALIST:
2004-14  Florida Certified Educational Media Specialist preK-12
2000-2010  Media Center Director, Pine View School for the Gifted, grades 2-12
1983-96  Selby Public Library (Sarasota, FL) Youth Section Manager
1981-83  Venice Public Library (Venice, FL) Youth Librarian
1979  Houston (TX) Public Library System, Children’s Librarian, Hillendahl Branch Library
1977  Louisiana State University, Master of Library Science

TEACHER:
2009-2014  Florida Certified Educator; PreK – 6th grade, Drama gr. 6-12
2001-2010  Information Literacy and Research Skills instructor, Pine View School
2000-04  Storytelling and Theatre teacher and coach, Pine View School

2001 Manatee Community College-Venice campus, summer school instructor                                                                                                                    
2000-01 Family Literacy Liaison, Gocio Elementary School
1998- 2000 Literacy Specialist, YMCA Children’s Services, SW FL
Literacy teacher model, trainer, presenter at child care centers and professional conferences       
1997-98 Private tutor, substitute teacher                                                                                                                                                                                           

1996-98 Florida Studio Theatre School, Little Theatre Director & Acting Teacher
1985-92 The DreamSpinners Storytelling Troupe, founding member & coordinator
1988 Manatee Community College for Kids, storytelling instructor
1975 WMUL-TV, WV, children’s safety video series, coordinator

1973-75 WV Governor’s Youth Program Music and Dance Teacher
1970 voted “Most Understanding” in HS graduating class of 350, Huntington, WV
1952 firstborn in family of nine children born within eleven years

WRITER/EDITOR:
2010  English Editor, www.WatchKnow.org
1997-present  works in progress…children’s books, songs, recordings, plays                           
1997-98  grant writer, Florida Studio Theatre
1987, 93  library journal articles published
1980-84, 88-92 book reviews published
1981, 83, 86  library reference books published: editor; contributor

1980-81 editorial assistant for reference book publisher, Libraries Unlimited, CO
1975 Marshall University, BA, English major, Speech minor, magna cum laude

 

STORYTELLER:
1998-2000  YMCA Children’s Services, Literacy Specialist-Storyteller
1999  Clearwater Folk Arts Festival
1990- 1999  Sarasota Arts Day; Sarasota Reading Festival; USF Reading Festival
1988-93  Ringling Children’s Art Festival; Ringling Museum Medieval Fair
1984-  libraries, schools, malls, classrooms, churches, youth organizations, teacher workshops, TV productions, professional conferences, community festivals, private events