As a student in this field, this helps me sharpen my focus. I am often entirely immersed in the best ways to help curriculum, concentrating on assisting students and teachers find additional resources to enrich their learning and curriculum, and it is easy for me to forget that assessment is also necessary to evaluate the function of programs put into place in my library. This visual also reminds me that student learning should remain in the forefront of my mind. Whereas LibraryGirl created this as a resource for people who had not had the pleasure of making their way through SLIS classes, it is a handy roadmap for me to keep the most important aspects of school media librarianship in the spotlight.
Viewer Comments:
Tracey,
Very glad that you found this and put it out here. As an early childhood teacher I often had this same type of conversation- along the lines of "Is it really that hard to play with kids all day?" HA is all I said sometimes. Literally, I just laughed. To me though this blog just confirms how important it is for us to remain professional and SHOW that we know our stuff. We will earn our position and should hold ourselves high while be willing to act humbly. This also brings another thought into my head... with people who do not understand the demands of education in any setting I always like to invite them to take time to visit and volunteer to help one day. Though many do not do this, it is usually one of the best ways to show them all the things we do throughout the day. I love to put on a big smile and say "I'd love it if you have any time to come in and help out!" I am not currently working as a librarian, but I did for two years. Librarians take on SO many roles. Yes, we do shelve- we also help students research, help them pick out books, keep up our collections, help teachers plan, help with technology, teach related arts classes, substitute when we have to... need I go on? I guess for many it is that "grass is greener" mentality. From the outside our job just may seem easy. I guess that's a good thing to remember when thinking of others jobs as well.
Very glad that you found this and put it out here. As an early childhood teacher I often had this same type of conversation- along the lines of "Is it really that hard to play with kids all day?" HA is all I said sometimes. Literally, I just laughed. To me though this blog just confirms how important it is for us to remain professional and SHOW that we know our stuff. We will earn our position and should hold ourselves high while be willing to act humbly. This also brings another thought into my head... with people who do not understand the demands of education in any setting I always like to invite them to take time to visit and volunteer to help one day. Though many do not do this, it is usually one of the best ways to show them all the things we do throughout the day. I love to put on a big smile and say "I'd love it if you have any time to come in and help out!" I am not currently working as a librarian, but I did for two years. Librarians take on SO many roles. Yes, we do shelve- we also help students research, help them pick out books, keep up our collections, help teachers plan, help with technology, teach related arts classes, substitute when we have to... need I go on? I guess for many it is that "grass is greener" mentality. From the outside our job just may seem easy. I guess that's a good thing to remember when thinking of others jobs as well.
Sounds like a great blog to follow especially with ways to collaborate with teachers and the best strategies to support curriculum.
Thank you!
Elisabeth
Thank you!
Elisabeth
I LOVE this blog! She has written so many blogs that have helped me emotionally and with my library. There have been plenty of times that I would like for it to be required for staff in schools to read what she has written, but I know that will not happen. This blog choice was fantastic. I might use it during National Library Week in helping me display what exactly happens in the library on a daily basis. I have been in a teacher's shoes before, so I know that it is a lot of work being a teacher, but being an elementary school librarian has been even more work for me. I love my job though so the work is not so stressful. We should walk in each other's shoes to know before judging. Great post!
Thank you for sharing this blog. It is one that I have been meaning to check out, but have not had the time until you posted now! I am an elementary teacher and when I explain that I am getting my master's in Library Science to become the media specialist for my school, I frequently get, "Oh, you don't want to teach anymore." It really frustrates me because I see it as a greater opportunity to teach and have a greater impact on more children. And... I understand, though I have yet to walk the shoes, the many hats I will wear as a school librarian added to the ones I already wear as teacher! Thank you again!
