Welcome to the official blog of Scholastic Inc.! On Our Minds (OOM) provides breaking book and media news, insights on education and technology, behind-the-scenes looks at Scholastic, our authors, and our business, and more.

The OOM bloggers are:

Nadia Almahdi
I’m a lit-lover and Publicist at Scholastic who enjoys classic novels, photography, 80′s movies, and fashion blogs. I work on Book Fairs and Book Clubs – which makes me nostalgic for the elementary school days when book fairs would transform the cafeteria into a mini-bookstore. You can email me at nalmahdi (at) scholastic (dot) com. For my OOM posts, click here.

Morgan Baden
I’m a reader/writer who can talk about books, authors, education, technology, social media, and all things Scholastic all day long – luckily, that’s exactly what I get to do as part of my job. And it’s probably clear by now that any time you’re itching for Baby-sitter’s Club or YA book posts, you can let me know – I’m happy to oblige! You can connect with me on Twitter (@MorganBaden) and of course, on Scholastic’s other social networking sites (find them all here!). For all my OOM posts, click here.

Dante Ciampaglia
Scholastic Internal Communications Producer and Scholastic Kids Press Corps Editor/Producer. Also: Photographer, arts journalist passionately devoted to cinema, hockey fanatic, and a huge Prince fan. I’m covering kids news/pop culture/video/film issues for OOM. I’m also on Twitter @daciampaglia. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Lauren Felsenstein
I’m a literature and film enthusiast in equal measure, and hail from the Trade Division at Scholastic, which affords me the luxury of chatting up my favorite passions, and sharing them here. I love to travel, cook, and engage in all things crafty (quilting, scrapbooking, you name it). You can also find me playing dodgeball and kickball on a weekly basis, and training for the NYC marathon. You can always let me know if there is any book talk you’d like to see on the blog. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Yanique Hart
I am a Junior Publicist and newly appointed blogger in Corporate Communications at Scholastic. I work on exposing the world to the amazing Scholastic Store in Soho. I also work with The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers to get the word out on The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards!  I love reading, especially to my feisty three year-old niece.  If you ever need find out what’s happening at The Scholastic Store for kids and families or need any information about Scholastic, feel free to email me – yhart (at) scholastic (dot) com. If I can’t help you, I bet I’ll know someone who can. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Kristen Joerger
Publicist at Scholastic, resident pastry chef, lover of non-fiction and travel writing. I’ll be blogging about parenting, summer reading, and our awesome Kid Reporters here on OOM! Feel free to email me at kjoerger (at) scholastic (dot) com or follow me on Twitter @kristenjoerger. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Megan Kaesshaefer
Avid reader, history buff, and singer in an indie band, I love being outside, the morning news (specifically Matt Lauer), and Scholastic cafeteria food. I’m the Digital Communications Producer and work on some of Scholastic’s literacy initiatives, so I’ll be writing about goings-on within the company and elsewhere. Both of my parents are in education, so it’s a part of my DNA, people. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Suzanne McCabe
Having served as Editor of Junior Scholastic for more than 10 years, I am now Scholastic’s Editor-at-Large. In the past year, I have steeped myself in the Common Core State Standards, which are rolling out in 46 states and the District of Columbia. I’ll be writing about the Common Core a lot, so please email me if you’d like to see a particular angle covered. Like my 93-year-old mom, the Standards are a handful. But both are worth getting to know. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Tyler Reed
I cover education, technology and literacy issues for OOM. A former education reporter, I’m especially interested in how technology is changing the way we learn and read — and how schools are adapting. I’m an avid home cook and cyclist, commuting by bike for most of the year between Brooklyn and Scholastic HQ. Find me on Twitter at @tylerbreed or pop me an email at treed (at) scholastic (dot) com. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Anne Sparkman
I work on special projects here at Scholastic. What does that mean? It means I have the privilege of writing about the amazing things we have going on like the creative genius teens of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Plus, I have a passion for education and its importance today so I look forward to sharing education hot topics. Which are important to you? Email me at asparkman (at) scholastic (dot) com. Oh, and when I’m not OOMing you’ll probably find me drinking a chai latte while reading with music in the background. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Michael Strouse
General Manager of The Scholastic Store in SoHo for more than eight years. Storytime aficionado, retail enthusiast & techie in a scan-the-barcode-kinda way. I’m Dad to Lydia, baby Kian, and far too many pets. In my spare time (HA!), I’m a baker, news junkie and Broadway fan. On OOM, I cover literacy, holidays, fun people and happenings here at Scholastic and of course… The Scholastic Store. I tweet from @ScholasticStore and personally from @MStrouse77 and can be emailed at mstrouse (at) scholastic (dot) com. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Jessica Watson
Book lover. Librarian. Wife. Daughter. Pet Mommy. Cataloguer. Foodie. Cheeky. Red. New Yorker. I will be writing about libraries, literacy, trends, books, and other things that will make librarians and other bibliophiles’ hearts flutter. Want to chat? Drop me a line at jwatson (at) scholastic (dot) com. Book suggestions always welcome. For all my OOM posts, click here.

Alexandra Wladich
I am a REAL Jersey Shore Girl from exit 98. Before joining the Corporate Communications team I worked in the Educational Services Department for two years, so I am excited to be covering everything education. I love to talk, play sports, sleep-in, shop, relax on the beach and boat, cook, surround myself with family and friends—and I am obsessed with taking pictures! Share your thoughts and opinions by commenting on any of my posts; I would love to hear what’s on YOUR mind! For my OOM posts, click here.

Lia Zneimer
My background is in theater and English, so I love anything related to books, literacy, grammar (I’m a total word nerd!), and the performing arts. Here at Scholastic I help cover the incredibly talented teens who submit pieces to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, work on exciting initiatives like the Scholastic Summer Challenge, and indulge in my love of Pinterest by contributing to Scholastic’s boards. Prior to joining Corporate Communications, I was part of the Corporate Productions and Event Services team. I’m excited to hear what’s on your mind! You can follow me on Twitter (@liazneimer) or email me at lzneimer (at) scholastic (dot) com. For all my OOM posts, click here.