2025-2027 EAC Spotlight: Dr. Andrea Jamison
This fall, Advance Illinois welcomed the 2025-2027 Educator Advisory Council (EAC) cohort, bringing together educators across early childhood to postsecondary, representing the diversity across Illinois. In the next two years, they will deepen their policy knowledge, explore the root causes of the disparities we see in education, and take action together through advocacy efforts including legislative testimony, writing op-eds, and organizing their peers. As part of the 2025-2027 EAC Cohort Spotlight series, we look forward to introducing each member and highlighting their journeys as educators and the experiences they bring to this space.
Introducing: Dr. Andrea Jamison, Assistant Professor
Tell us a little about your teaching journey — what subjects, grades, or communities have you served?
My teaching journey has centered on library science, information literacy, and equitable access to knowledge. I began my career as a classroom educator before transitioning into school librarianship, where I found my calling in connecting students to resources that expand their academic, personal, and cultural worlds. I have served in K through 12 school communities, with a strong focus on middle and high school learners, as well as preservice teachers through my work in higher education at Illinois State University in the School of Teaching and Learning.
Across these roles, I have taught information literacy, research skills, digital citizenship, and literature appreciation, while also supporting interdisciplinary curriculum development alongside classroom teachers. A significant part of my work has been in schools serving historically underserved communities, where the library often functions as both an academic hub and a safe, affirming space for students. I have consistently worked to ensure that students not only have access to books and databases but also see themselves reflected in the materials they read.
What are some challenges or opportunities you see in education today that motivate your work?
One of the most pressing challenges in education today is the widening gap in funding and resources across schools, particularly in relation to school libraries and media centers. In many districts, libraries are still treated as optional rather than essential, despite consistent research showing that well-staffed and well-resourced libraries are directly linked to student achievement, literacy growth, and academic confidence. The Illinois School Library Media Association (now AISLE) research has long emphasized that strong library programs correlate with higher student success, reinforcing the idea that powerful libraries build powerful learners. Yet, funding for schools and library programs have seen significant cuts in the last decade.
The current socio-political climate shapes my work deeply. Education is increasingly influenced by debates over curriculum content, representation, and access to truthful and inclusive histories. At the same time, many educators are navigating constrained budgets, staffing shortages, and policy decisions that do not always reflect the realities of students in under resourced communities. These conditions make equity-centered advocacy even more urgent.
What motivates me is the opportunity to respond to these challenges by building systems that are more just and sustainable. This includes advocating for school funding, protecting intellectual freedom, and ensuring that schools remain spaces where diverse perspectives are not only included but valued as essential to learning.
How does being part of the EAC connect to your goals or passions as an educator?
Being part of the Educator Advisory Council connects directly to my long standing commitment to equity, policy, and systemic change in education. My work has always extended beyond the walls of the library into broader conversations about educational access, curriculum fairness, and institutional accountability.
Serving on the EAC allows me to bring a library and information science perspective into policy discussions while also learning from other educators across disciplines. I see this as an opportunity to deepen my advocacy work, particularly around equitable access to resources, representation in instructional materials, and support for educators working in underserved schools.
It also aligns with my passion for translating research into practice. I am committed to not only identifying inequities in educational systems but also actively developing strategies and recommendations that can improve practice at the school and district level. The EAC provides a structured space to amplify that work and contribute to meaningful change beyond individual classrooms or libraries.
Can you share an example of a time you advocated for your students, school, or community?
Early in my career, I served as a school librarian in a school with extremely limited library resources. The collection was outdated, student engagement with the library was low, and there was little funding allocated for new materials or programming. At the same time, the student population was predominantly from underserved communities, and it was clear that access to current, culturally relevant books and learning tools could make a significant difference in student outcomes.
Guided by the understanding that academic success is strongly connected to well-staffed and well stocked school libraries, I began actively advocating for increased investment in the library program. I sought out grants, built partnerships with community organizations, and worked to demonstrate how a strengthened library could directly support literacy, engagement, and after school enrichment.
These efforts led to significant outcomes. The school received a Laura Bush Foundation grant of 5,000 dollars for library materials, a matching grant of 30,000 dollars through the Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries, and a 150,000 dollar community resource grant to support after school programming. This work was rooted in advocacy for increased funding and equity. It reinforced my belief that when libraries are resourced intentionally, they become powerful engines for opportunity, especially in communities that have historically been underfunded.
What advice would you give students to help them stay inspired?
My advice to students is to remain deeply committed to your goals, even when progress feels slow or uncertain. Knowledge is one of the most valuable forms of currency you can carry, because it opens doors, builds confidence, and expands your ability to navigate the world.
Never stop pursuing knowledge, and be intentional about the environments and relationships you invest in. Surround yourself with people, spaces, and opportunities that support your growth and challenge you to keep learning. It is also important to recognize the role of cultural capital in shaping opportunity. Identify mentors, peers, and communities that will encourage your development and help you build the networks and skills that support long-term success.
Learn more about the Educator Advisory Council here.