During the holiday season, reviewing all of the things that I am grateful for has become a yearly tradition. In this unprecedented year, with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting our lives in so many ways, taking stock of items to be… Read More ›
Advocacy/Leadership
How to Cultivate Powerful School Library Advocates
Cultivating Allies Too often, educators–and school librarians in particular–are reactive in advocacy, rather than proactive. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Developing relationships with those within school districts who have both initial recommendations and ultimate… Read More ›
Share Your Story! How Professional Writing Supports Yourself and Others
Once upon a time, when I was a wee library school student, I was also working on my Master’s in secondary education. (At my university in Omaha, NE, you earn a Master’s endorsement in school library, but with a few… Read More ›
The Original Plan vs. What It Really Looks Like
This year I have been teaching students who are face to face as well as those who are learning remotely. At the start of the school year, I had grand plans. I was going to do all the things and… Read More ›
Finding Joyful Moments
We Choose Our Focus This school year has been like no other. Educators are struggling to figure out what works for themselves and their students amidst unprecedented turmoil. Although the temptation to “doom scroll” beckons, I’m trying to choose wisely…. Read More ›
Making the Virtual World a Happier [Reading] Place: Authors and School Librarians Go Hand in Hand
March 13 was the day COVID-19 changed everything for school librarians in my school district. Like other school librarians across the globe, we quickly transitioned from our beloved library spaces to an unknown virtual world. Like the character Lucy in… Read More ›
Turn to Your School Librarian for Leadership in Online Learning
School librarians have many roles, among which are teacher and instructional partner. AASL’s position “The Strategic Leadership Role of School Librarians” notes, “The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) supports the position that full-time certified school librarians provide effective leadership… Read More ›
Access to Print Books? Yes!
In this time of virtual and hybrid learning, are print books still important? My answer is a resounding “yes”! However, what do you do if your administrator doesn’t “get it”? I received a request for advice from a school librarian… Read More ›
All the Literacies
Literacy is one of those terms with academic cache like critical thinking or problem-solving. It has a nice intellectual ring to it, a sense of student accomplishment. Every academic standard, unit and lesson plan, school mission, and vision is stuffed… Read More ›
Behind the Scenes at NC’s State Conference
I’m the immediate past president of NCSLMA this year, which means I get to serve on NCSLMA’s Conference Planning Committee. I served along with our president elect, Cindy Sturdivant, and the incoming president elect, Jenny Umbarger. This year’s conference proved… Read More ›