Author Archives

After 24 years as a classroom English Language Arts teacher, Steve became a school librarian in January 2022. He has earned an M.Ed. (2006) and an Ed.D. (2014) in Educational Administration and Supervision, and completed an M.I. degree in Library and Information Science (2019). He is certified as a teacher, school library media specialist, supervisor, and administrator. He is an old dog constantly learning new tricks!
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Hallway Conversations as Book Challenge Repellent, Part 2
Previously on “Hallway Conversations as Book Challenge Repellent”… Last month, I shared some topics that school librarians might want to discuss with colleagues, supervisors, administrators, and members of the school community ahead of any book challenges that might come their… Read More ›
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Hallway Conversations as Book Challenge Repellent, Part 1
Laying the Groundwork Ahead of Book Challenges There is a lot of information about book challenges out there. I’m just one of several folks who have written about this in Knowledge Quest previously. Out in the wider world, there are… Read More ›
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Getting SMART with PDPs, SGOs, ETCs
“I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean…” -Homer Simpson This September will be my first as a school librarian, after a mid-year switch early in 2022. After 23 years of writing professional development plans (PDPs) and student growth objectives (SGOs)… Read More ›
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How to “Cheat” at Professional Development
Wait, What? Let’s be clear right up front: I’m talking about things that might seem like cheating because they make PD easier. But they’re better described as “productivity hacks” – ways to increase your efficiency. And pretty much all the… Read More ›
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Book Challenges: Lessons from a Panel Discussion
Sharing Ideas As we all know, school librarians are facing what may be some of the most challenging conditions to ever confront the profession (pun intended). It seems like most practitioners have either faced a challenge already, or are preparing… Read More ›
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(Re)Building A School Library, Part 1: The Website
Raising My School Library’s Profile During a renovation a couple years back, my middle school’s library closed, and it never reopened. Students and teachers were told they could access the high school library, which is literally on the opposite end… Read More ›
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Joining the Ranks: My Long Journey to School Librarianship
What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been Friends, it please me to no end to share with you the news that by the time you read this post, I will officially be a practicing School Librarian. It has been a… Read More ›
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“Auld Lang Syne”: Reflecting at the New Year
“Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?” For almost five decades, I’ve heard at least a few bars of “Auld Lang Syne” every New Year’s Eve. But despite some guesses, I never knew what that title actually… Read More ›
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Book Challenges, Part 2: A Resource Handbook
They Keep Going, and Going, and Going… Last month, I wrote about the rising number of book challenges facing libraries across the country. I offered a few tools to help school librarians prepare. Since then, the number of challenges has… Read More ›