Joan Enders

Genre: Nonfiction

     Joan Enders is an educator with a B.A. in English, secondary education and sociology. Once the children entered school, she returned to school herself, earning a Master’s of Education in librarianship and educational media.  She has served in positions as a teacher-librarian at middle school and high school levels, winning substantial grants to further her students’ research skills. Joan is a past recipient of the American Library Association’s Francis Henne Award, which inspired her to move forward implementing reading advocacy, research programs, technology training and author programs for her students. Few high school students enjoy author visits.  In twelve years at the high school level Joan orchestrated eighteen author visits for her students. Joan loved her jobs, often to distraction.  Once she stayed so late at the school library that the custodians, unawares, waxed her in. She crept out the least sticky exit.

     Sharing her expertise with other professionals is a must for Joan, speaking at library, social studies, genealogy and literacy conferences and local genealogical societies and community groups. She contributes articles to the professional journals: The Medium, Book Report and Teacher-Librarian. She also contracts as a webinar trainer of new librarians. She has contributed years of community service through teaching and music and events organization. Her first book grew from a successful inquiry learning lesson in American history classes; a culmination of six years of case study research, testing and teaching.  When teachers asked how they could possibly replace this learning activity that they loved, Joan outlined and created Evidence is Lacking. Yet I Still Hope.  She hopes that this encounter with inquiry learning, primary sources, and critical thinking sparks the investigator in every history student and history buff.  If working with adults in community groups is any indication, readers of history, World War I, genealogy, and autobiographies will be as entranced as were her students.

     When not teaching or writing Joan serves as a Family History Center director for FamilySearch International.  Well, that and quilting or embroidering or doing tai chi.

     Joan and her husband Jerry are the parents of three gorgeous daughters, six brilliant grandchildren and two granddogs.  They are both amazed at having lived in the same city all their married lives. To remember her, just think of the END of a book and add -ers.