Students have headed back to school this fall with the weight of social and political unrest in the air. As a microcosm of society, what happens external to our schools impacts how students make sense of and experience the world…. Read More ›
Community/Teacher Collaboration
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 ›
Winter Is Coming
The Election Storm I am writing this post in the last days of early voting in my state. Next week is election day, and there is so much rhetoric on the news that the election will not be certain for… Read More ›
Teaching in the Shadow of COVID: Changes and Adaptations
I am finally resigned to the idea that the COVID pandemic will not go away any time soon. It is like an unwanted guest that decided to move in. Initially, I felt we would be back to normal within a… 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 ›
Ten Tips for Re-Opening the Library Space
My school district in central Texas began the school year in late August with three weeks of online learning only. On September 9, we allowed families to choose between online learning or face-to-face learning, and we have now been open… Read More ›
Making a Case for Wikipedia
Wikipedia: (Maybe) Not The Worst I spent quite a while in the camp of educators who believed Wikipedia was a source that students should avoid at all costs. But over the years, my stance has changed a bit. And now,… Read More ›
School Librarians: We Are Stronger Together
March 2020 seems like ages ago. It’s September, school has started for everyone–either virtually, in a hybrid model, or fully face to face. The coronavirus is still running rampant across the country and is increasing in some areas, while decreasing… Read More ›
Safe Ways to Reach Students and Teachers While Social Distancing
For most of us in school libraries, this year’s back-to-school season is unsettling. My administrators have designated our high school library as a special education testing center, a place for overflow classroom students, and a computer distribution site. In order… Read More ›
Finding a Rhythm and Platform for Communication and Supporting Teachers
On March 13, our school community went home from school not knowing how long we would be gone. We (two high school librarians) knew we needed to dramatically (and quickly) shift how we supported students and teachers, but it took… Read More ›