Patricia Dennis Professor • Educational Leadership and Professional Studies View CV Dr. Patricia Dennis is an instructor and director of the School Library Media program at William Paterson University. She earned her doctorate in Educational Technology Leadership from New Jersey City University and is completing research on “School Libraries Leveled Up: Exploring New and Multiple Literacies.” As Lead Researcher for Garden State Esports, she studies student attendance and game-based learning while helping bring innovative esports and play-based approaches into K–12 classrooms. She previously served as a School Library Media Specialist at Forest Street Community School in Orange, New Jersey, where she integrated Minecraft Education, LEGO Fortnite, and Epic Games tools into literacy and STEAM programming. She is extending these same innovative initiatives through her Fulbright grant project in South Africa. Professional Interests Dr. Dennis' research interest centers on the intersection of school libraries, school librarians and innovative technologies, game-based learning as active online learning environments, STEAM education, and play based professional development for school librarians. She is also passionate in global education and believes education is the passport to the world. Other Interests Digital Art, Traveling, BJJ, Gaming Degrees EdD Educational Technology Leadership, New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ MA English Writing Studies, Kean University Union, NJ MA Educational Technology , New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ BA English, College of Saint Elizabeth Morristown, NJ Specialization School library, STEAM, Educational Technology, Game Based Learning Licenses and Certifications The school library media specialist (SLMS) endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a school library media specialist in preschool through grade 12. The functions include: delivery of instruction in information literacy skills; the development and coordination of school library media programs and resources; and the delivery of instruction in the evaluation, selection, organization, distribution, creation, and utilization of school library media. Media are defined as all print, non-print, and electronic resources, including the technologies needed for their use. 08/31/2023 School Library Media Specialist, New Jersey City Univerity State Awards and Honors Fulbright Student Award Fulbright U.S. Student Program 04/21/2026 Media As Fulbright Scholar, Kean Graduate Will Bring Her Vision for Innovative School Libraries to South Africa https://www.kean.edu/news/fulbright-scholar-kean-graduate-will-bring-her-vision-innovative-school-libraries-south-africa Kean University alumna Patricia (Patt) Dennis ’21 M.A., has built her career as a school librarian, channeling her wide-ranging interests into learning experiences that are both imaginative and educational. Now, the Kean graduate will bring that same creative approach to the global stage as a Fulbright Scholar. Inspired to pursue the prestigious award while earning her master’s degree in English writing studies at Kean University, Dennis will spend seven months in South Africa partnering with the University of Pretoria to demonstrate to school libraries how to add variety and depth to programs. Diving Into Discovery: From Inner City Librarian to Ocean Explorer — A STEAM Adventure with Whales, Tech, and Creativity! https://polarsteam.info/diving-into-discovery-from-inner-city-librarian-to-ocean-explorer-a-steam-adventure-with-whales-tech-and-creativity/ Cetaceans are a critical, yet poorly studied, component of the Antarctic marine ecosystem. During the 20th century over 2 million whales were killed in the Southern Ocean as part of the commercial whaling enterprise. In the context of the long-term ecological research program, we are interested in understanding the life history, population structure, and foraging ecology of these krill predators. Through a combination of visual surveys, photographic identification, skin and blubber biopsy sampling, long-term satellite-linked tagging, and short-term multi-sensor behavioral tagging we will begin to understand the recovery of these ocean giants and their ecological role in a changing environment. In combination with other components of the LTER, we will be able to test specific ecological hypotheses regarding how changes in the physical and biological environment affect the distribution and behavior of baleen whales. Likewise, we will begin to test hypotheses about the potential for interspecific competition with other krill predators (e.g. penguins) throughout the LTER study area. Dr. Patricia Dennis: Human-Centered Tech in the Classroom https://youtu.be/ZdkP3mye4hM?si=NyqVLU-zEk6wWaSn From Newark classrooms to the frontlines of ed-tech innovation — this episode is a must-listen. On this episode of Perspectives in STEM, host Dr. Kimberly West sits down with Dr. Patricia Dennis, director of the School Library and Media program at William Paterson University and lead researcher for Garden State Esports. Dr. Dennis takes us through her journey from Newark, NJ, to becoming a leading voice in educational technology.Together, they dig into human-centered tech integration, the ethics of AI in the classroom, how school libraries are evolving, and why game-based learning is changing the way students engage with the world. Dr. Dennis leaves us with a powerful reminder: start small, collaborate often, and never underestimate the impact you have on your students.Tune in now and join the conversation. Email 973 720 3784 By appointment
