One of the things I’ve struggled with as a high school librarian is makerspaces. At my large suburban high school, students have ample opportunities to take STEM/STEAM-related classes that allow them to create the types of projects they might make… Read More ›
Through the hustle and bustle of the ending semester and winter holidays approaching, I can’t help but think of next semester. I’m a planner. This time of year I begin to plan activities and collaborations, New Year’s Resolutions, and advocacy… Read More ›
Drop-In PD is Born School librarians know all too well how precious time is during the school day. With that in mind, I decided to get creative about offering professional development (PD) opportunities for the teachers here at Highland School… Read More ›
As school librarians, we know that literacy has the power to transform lives because we see that power realized every day in our students. We know it because that power informs our practice, our professional standards, and—as the articles in… Read More ›
My students love the extraordinary. That is why I knew they would enjoy Strong as Sandow by Don Tate. Tate tells the story of Eugen Sandow, once known as the strongest man on earth. It also tells a story of… Read More ›
I recently became curious about how the word “literacy” has been paired with other words to create terms all librarians use within their practice. Curiosity surfaced when I read the term “innovation literacy.” Thinking I had hit upon a new concept,… Read More ›
“We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” —attributed to John Dewey. Dewey, John. 1933. How We Think. Boston, MA: D.C. Heath and Co. So, here we are about halfway through the school year, give or take… Read More ›
Independent study thrives in my school library, which situates us in the center of our schools’ goals. According to my schools’ strategic plan, we aim to: …foster a school environment and academic program that demands students join in the design… Read More ›
I have always considered myself fortunate to work in an evolving profession where no two days, classes, or units of study are the same. The needs of the students are constantly changing and so am I. My growth is compounded… Read More ›
In my state of Virginia, I am very fortunate to be a member of the state librarian’s association—the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL). As the old American Express commercial used to say, “Membership has its privileges.” Possibly the most… Read More ›
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? A trip to the pristine beaches of Hawaii sounds nice. The view of Machu Picchu from the top of Huayna Picchu mountain is breathtaking. Perhaps you long to… Read More ›
This year one of my professional goals was to reflect on how I was promoting a positive reading culture at my school and develop ways to improve it. Improvement implies there is something wrong with what is currently being done…. Read More ›
Are Books Becoming Obsolete? “Do you think books will someday become obsolete in the next twenty years?” a friend recently asked me. Of course, I emphatically answered, “NO!” But then I got to thinking. People can access the written word… Read More ›
As a school librarian I am proud of the evolution and expansion of children and young adult literature throughout the years. My goals are to increase literacy and make my excitement about books contagious. However, as an adult reader I… Read More ›