The Journey Begins

Books and music have always taken center stage in Katy Tessman’s life. Combining her love of writing and performing, Katy earned a BA in Speech Communication from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Using the wisdom she’s gained through breast cancer survival, heartbreak, and motherhood, Katy is an optimistic writer who aims to spread hope and joy. In 2013, she authored the award-winning children’s book about breast cancer, "Our Mama is a Beautiful Garden," and was named CHANGEMAKER by the Minnesota Women’s Press. In 2023, Katy published the accompanying lyric picture book “Hero Now Crowned” which has received many accolades. In her role as New School Services Project Manager & Makerspace Specialist at Mackin Educational Resources, Katy combines her professional communications experience and diverse educator background. Katy draws on her prior library experience as the director of the summer reading program at Gatewood Elementary in Hopkins Schools and at Armstrong High School in Robbinsdale Area Schools where she helped create a maker program from scratch and worked to transform the school library into a welcoming space for students and staff. Katy assists teachers and librarians to look towards the future as she helps to create new school libraries and media centers across the country. From building relevant and diverse book collections to creating makerspaces that fuel engagement, creativity, and curiosity, Katy is passionate about transforming school libraries, maker education, and literacy. View all posts by katytessman