Alma Ramos-McDermott

2025 Elizabeth Martinez Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

In 1984, I began my career as an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn, NY. I received my M.Ed. from Brooklyn College in 1991 and became the librarian in 2001. I attended Queens College in 2003, then enrolled at Simmons University in Boston. I was an ALA Spectrum Scholar in 2007 and graduated with my MLS that year. In 2008 I joined REFORMA, began working as a middle school librarian and, four years later, became the librarian at two high schools. I was Co-Chair of CAYASC in 2009, Chair of YALSA’s first-ever Diversity Taskforce and, in 2011, served on the Pura Belpré Award Selection Committee. In April 2012 I began writing a blog reviewing books for all ages and recently celebrated 13 years of reviews.

In 2013 I relocated to Florida and became an elementary school librarian, serving rural Latino migrant children. My goal was to educate my school population about the importance of improving literacy through the library. I introduced Pura Belpré titles, bilingual books written by Latinos, involved the public library, and spoke at parent/teacher events.

In 2019 I served on the Newbery committee. That year, at ALA, I realized no one from Florida gave a chapter report at REFORMA’s membership meeting. I became Chair of a committee to restart it, but COVID soon hit. We held many successful ZOOM meetings and elected a President in 2021.

Since then I’ve served my REFORMA de Florida chapter in many roles. Currently I’m Board Secretary, Publicity and Membership Chair, Newsletter Editor, Chair for our Pura Belpré Book Award Grant Nomination Committee and am running for the position of Vice-President/President-Elect. I’m also Chair of REFORMA’s CAYASC Book Review Committee and, in 2024, finished a 4-year extended term as REFORMA National Secretary.

For the past 3 years I have been a classroom teacher, teaching 4th and 5th grade Latinos in a low-income area. I will retire in June after 40 years of teaching and librarianship.

Comments from colleagues about Alma Ramos-McDermott

She helps translate with students who are having a difficult time getting their point across or are just frustrated with the language barrier. She encourages them to keep trying and when she speaks with them, she speaks in Spanish then repeats it in English. She fosters a learning environment that is inclusive to all and celebrates many successes no matter how big or small. She clearly is passionate about teaching and inspires lifelong learners! Outside the classroom, you can find Alma running alongside her students cheering them on the track field or staying after school to lead the educational activities.– Margaret Zurschmit, 5th Grade Teacher, Avalon Elementary School

I believe that Mrs. McDermott has been a great asset to our school community and her lifelong commitment, dedication, enthusiasm has impacted our young learners’ lives. I am extremely excited for her nomination and her work exemplifies the spirit of Elizabeth’s Martinez’ legacy. Her achievements speak for themselves.– Roxana Delgado

Mrs. McDermott has many exceptional qualities as a librarian and as a compassionate and well-informed individual. I have observed her exceptional qualities, from kindness and enthusiasm to a caring attitude toward all students. She would repeatedly go out of her way to connect a child with reading material that would interest them and that they would enjoy.– Brigid O’Malley, Teacher, Knightsville Elementary School