Tamra McCarthy, a nationally recognized educator and teacher librarian at James Enochs High School in Modesto, California, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Ken Haycock Award for Exceptional Professional Promise by the San José State University School of Information.

The award is given annually to a Master of Library and Information Science student who demonstrates outstanding professional potential, academic excellence, and leadership. The award winner serves as the Outstanding Student Speaker for the iSchool’s virtual graduation celebration and receives a $1,000 prize and a citation.

“For me, this award is not just a recognition of my work today—it’s a tribute to the path I’ve walked to get here, and to the people and places that made it possible,” McCarthy said.

A lifelong educator with more than 25 years of experience, McCarthy began her career as a high school English and journalism teacher. Her transition to librarianship, she said, was more than a career shift—it was a calling. “I grew up in poverty, in a home where books were scarce and life was often unpredictable,” she said. “But school was my sanctuary. In classrooms and libraries, teachers reminded me of my worth, nurtured my curiosity, and opened doors to stories that helped me imagine a bigger, brighter world.”

At Enochs High School, McCarthy has redesigned the library into a dynamic and inclusive space that fosters creativity, collaboration, and connection. Her work includes programming that centers underrepresented voices, diversity audits of the collection, and the use of graphic novels to engage reluctant readers.

“This program has empowered me to reimagine what a high school library can be,” McCarthy said. “It’s not just a place to study—it’s a vibrant, student-centered space for creativity, belonging, and growth.”

McCarthy is also widely known in scholastic journalism. She built the Wingspan yearbook program into a nationally recognized publication, earning multiple Pacemaker and Crown Awards. Her students have received more than 150 individual journalism honors. Her awards include the Journalism Education Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2025), the National Scholastic Press Association Pioneer Award (2022), the JEA Medal of Merit (2022), and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year, Special Recognition (2021).

McCarthy credits the MLIS program at San José State with helping her bridge theory with practice and expand her impact. “It has equipped me with the knowledge and tools to turn vision into action—whether through inclusive collection development, collaborative instruction, or advocacy at the district level,” she said. “Courses that emphasized information literacy, equity, and access helped me bridge theory with practice, particularly in a Title I school where I work hard to ensure all students feel represented, seen, and supported.”

Her vision for the school library is inspired by the “third place” concept—a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg and expanded by SJSU Associate Professor Mary Ann Harlan. “The school library as a third place offers a place of refuge—a space where an individual can pursue information needs and interests that they may not be able to explore in other environments due to perceived risks,” McCarthy said, quoting Harlan. “I believe school libraries must be that kind of space for young people, now more than ever. A space for safety, identity, curiosity, and intellectual freedom.”

She shared a powerful example that affirms her mission: reading a student’s journal entry describing the library as the only place they felt “safe, relaxed, or at peace.” That moment, McCarthy said, “underscored why this work matters so deeply.”

McCarthy has helped English learners find joy and confidence in their literacy journeys through library initiatives such as Diverse Voices and curated collections of graphic novels. “That connection between what I’ve learned in the MLIS program and the lived experiences of my students—is where this degree has had the greatest impact,” she said.

She also views librarianship as a platform for advocacy. “The MLIS program empowered me to lead beyond the walls of my library—whether by lobbying for equitable access to professional development or pushing for representation and inclusion in school-wide practices,” McCarthy said. “I’m proud to be part of a program that doesn’t just teach librarianship—it models the leadership, collaboration, and compassion our profession is built on.”

Feeling honored to have been be chosen by iSchool faculty for the Ken Haycock Award, McCarthy added, “Thank you for recognizing the work I’ve done and the vision I carry forward in this field—it’s an affirmation of the path I’ve chosen and the values I strive to center in my practice.”

She also expressed appreciation for her support system. “I want to thank my family, whose love and encouragement sustained me through late nights and long papers,” she said. “And my students, who remind me every day why this work matters and inspire me to always lead with heart.”

McCarthy encouraged her fellow graduates: “Let’s keep showing up for our students, our communities, and each other. Be bold in your advocacy, intentional in your leadership, and generous with your curiosity. The library is not just a place—it’s a promise. Let’s keep that promise alive.”

For more information about the Ken Haycock Award, visit the Awards for Excellence for Graduating Students web page.