Media Services

Elementary Media Center

Welcome to the Elementary Academy Media Services page! My name is Ms. Twana Cannon, and I have the privilege of serving as the Elementary Academy Media Specialist at Drew Charter School. This year marks my 11th year at Drew and my 26th year as a librarian, and I truly love helping children discover the joy of reading, learning, and lifelong curiosity.

Before joining the Drew family, I spent 15 years with the Fulton County Library System, where I served in several libraries throughout the county as a Teen Librarian before concluding my career there as a Branch Manager. Throughout my career, my passion has always been connecting people with books, information, and opportunities to learn.

The Drew Elementary Media Center is truly the heart of our school. It is a welcoming space where students can explore new books, collaborate with classmates and teachers, research for Project-Based Learning (PBL), create, imagine, and grow as readers and leaders.

Over the years, our Media Services program has accomplished so much together! Some of our favorite initiatives include:

• Our award-winning Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Team
• Building a vibrant culture of reading through Beanstack and other schoolwide literacy challenges
• Partnering with the Buzz Readers Program with the Georgia Tech Women's Basketball Team
• Hosting exciting Scholastic Book Fairs
• Collaborating with Georgia State University's Sound Learning Program, where students in Grades 1–4 compose original songs inspired by their PBL projects
• Welcoming authors, storytellers, and special literacy events that inspire a love of reading throughout the year

My goal is for every student to feel seen, supported, and excited to visit the Media Center. Whether they are searching for their next favorite book, completing a research project, creating something new, or simply enjoying a quiet place to read, they are always welcome here.

My motto is simple: The Library is for Everyone!

When I'm not in the Media Center, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, taking walks along the Atlanta BeltLine, and shopping.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our Media Services program, please feel free to contact me at twana.cannon@drewcharterschool.org.

Thank you for visiting our page. I look forward to partnering with you to help every Drew student develop a lifelong love of reading and learning!

Warmly,
Ms. Twana Cannon
Elementary Academy Media Specialist
Drew Charter School

Yates Campus Media Center

Welcome to the Drew Charter School Yates Campus Media Center, where every scholar is encouraged to discover the joy of reading, learning, and lifelong literacy. Since 2015, Mrs. Tonya Ricks, Media Specialist, has been dedicated to creating engaging literacy experiences that inspire students to become confident readers, creative thinkers, and lifelong learners.

Media Services offers a variety of school-wide literacy initiatives designed to help every scholar grow as a reader. Through Accelerated Reader (AR), students strengthen their reading comprehension by taking quizzes on books they have completed. MyOn provides access to an extensive digital library, allowing scholars to enjoy books anytime while supporting their AR goals. Students also participate in Race2Read: Beanstack, where they log their reading minutes, celebrate milestones, and participate in exciting reading challenges throughout the school year.

All Media Services resources are conveniently accessible through Clever, giving scholars one location to access the digital tools they need for learning. Students also have access to GALILEO: Georgia Virtual Library, a comprehensive online research platform that provides full-text articles, academic journals, eBooks, encyclopedias, and trusted databases. GALILEO equips scholars with high-quality research tools to support classroom assignments while helping them develop essential skills in locating credible sources, conducting research, and properly citing information.

Beyond daily reading opportunities, the Media Center sponsors a variety of programs that foster a lifelong love of literacy:

• Drew Eagle Book Club (Grades 6–8): A community of enthusiastic readers who help promote literacy throughout the school. Members assist with Scholastic Book Fairs, author visits, reading celebrations, and other special Media Center events while serving as literacy ambassadors for the Yates Campus.
• Book Buddies: A meaningful mentoring program that pairs Senior Academy scholars with Elementary Academy students each month to share the joy of reading. Through this special partnership, older students build leadership skills while encouraging younger Eagles to develop a love for books.
• Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl (HRRB): Sponsored by Atlanta Public Schools, the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl is a competitive reading program that challenges students to read, collaborate, and demonstrate their knowledge of selected titles. Drew Charter's Reading Bowl teams have proudly established themselves as district leaders through their dedication, teamwork, and love of literature.
• Young Authors & Poets: Students with a passion for writing are encouraged to showcase their creativity by participating in the Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Contest, where they create and publish original books, and the Annual Poetry Slam, held each spring, where scholars share their original poetry and celebrate the power of their voices.

 At Drew Charter School, the Media Center is more than a library—it's a welcoming space where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every scholar is empowered to read, imagine, research, and succeed. Through engaging programs, innovative resources, and a supportive learning environment, Media Services helps every Eagle discover that reading truly opens the door to endless possibilities.