Albuquerque Public Schools
APS Celebrates Skills, Habits and Mindsets Library Display Contest Winners
Five schools recognized for outstanding creativity and connection to life success.
The Skills, Habits and Mindsets Library Display Contest encouraged librarians across Albuquerque Public Schools to create book displays highlighting the key attributes of life success: perseverance, self-regulation, self-efficacy and social awareness. Organizers had originally planned to have one winner per level—elementary, middle and high school, but the judges were so impressed by the entries they selected five winners instead!
Congratulations to the following librarians:
- Elementary School: Virginia Nighbert at Petroglyph Elementary
- Middle Schools: Ranell Cox at Desert Ridge Middle School and Rachael Koenigsfeld at James Monroe Middle School
- High Schools: Roberta Fotter at La Cueva High School and Monica Oglesby at West Mesa High School
Each of these schools crafted visually compelling and thought-provoking displays that celebrated the power of literature in shaping students' skills, habits and mindsets for lifelong success. Some displays included inspirational quotes, others words of encouragement. One display even had positive affirmations on bees and flowers that students could take with them.
Generous Community Contributions
The contest was made even more special thanks to the generosity of APS community members. Contributors included:
- Jimmy Daskalos, an Eldorado High School graduate, donated El Patron Restaurant gift cards
- Joann Luera of C&H Metal Crafts/Timeless Images, also an Eldorado alum, provided Barnes & Noble gift cards
- Kathie Williams, a retired teacher, and her son Jason Williams, an Eldorado graduate, contributed librarian swag
- Trish Lovato, a Sandia High School graduate, donated Paparazzi Jewelry and Avon gifts
- Tracy Hauserman, an APS teacher at Mitchell Elementary, and John Hauserman, owner of Hauserman Mechanical, donated gift cards
Honoring the Impact of Librarians
APS Associate Superintendent of School Culture and Supports Kenneth Salazar reflected on the profound impact school librarians have on students.
“At LBJ Middle School, in 6th grade, my librarian created a safe community for the school, treating each other as neighbors,” he recalled. When a classroom activity left him without a partner, he asked the librarian to be his neighbor. From that moment on, she always greeted him with a warm “Hi, neighbor!”—a simple gesture that fostered a deep sense of belonging and connection.
"Thank you to all librarians for all that you do to support our students in all APS goals.”
Connecting to APS’s Student Outcomes Focused Governance
This contest aligns with APS’s Goal 4: Skills, Habits & Mindsets for Life Success, which aims to enhance students’ perseverance, self-regulation, self-efficacy and social awareness. By 2028, APS is striving for:
- Perseverance: Increasing from 51% (2023) to 61%, as measured by a student survey
- Self-Regulation: Growing from 65% (2023) to 75%
- Self-Efficacy: Rising from 44% (2023) to 54%
- Social Awareness: Expanding from 58% (2023) to 68%
“The Skills, Habits and Mindsets Library Display Contest has been a powerful demonstration of how literature can inspire and support these essential traits in students,” Salazar added. “Congratulations again to the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated and contributed!”