One of the values I hold most dear is appreciating and celebrating diversity in all its forms. I want this to reflect in the work I do with students, in my library as a physical space, and in my collection…. Read More ›
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Calvert County Public Schools and The Ruth Toor Grant for Strong School Libraries for the WIN!
What makes a strong school library? For me, that question is twofold. Strong school libraries are staffed by strong school librarians and are used utilized by strong learners. This is why I was so excited that our middle school libraries… Read More ›
Themes in School Librarianship, Part 2: Storytelling (But Not Like You Think!)
Organically Arising Themes Not long ago, I attended the School Library Journal’s Leadership Summit 2019. There were so many interesting speakers, great workshops, and amazing colleagues to learn from and grow with! But I noticed that there were several themes… Read More ›
Welcoming Students with Special Needs to the Library
As I presented my database introduction lesson to a class of ninth-graders, I wondered if I was going too quickly for them. I looked at their focused faces and continued speaking, making a decision not to simplify my words. When… Read More ›
Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day?
Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day? Does your state, city, or school celebrate Columbus Day, or do you celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day? Many students have learned a poem that starts off, “In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” It goes… Read More ›
Creating Lasting Change, Maybe
The high school to college gap is like college readiness, one of those realities that implant itself in our minds like fake news or mass incarceration. Unfortunately, these simple-sounding concepts indicate massive, almost unapproachable issues that we talk about but… Read More ›
Please give a little respect to me
Soul, I hear you calling Recently I heard the song “A Little Respect” by Erasure (play it while you read…) and I started thinking about this blog post: “I try to discover A little something to make me sweeter Oh… Read More ›
Data Tells a Story
When I stumbled upon the gorgeous, graphic visualization website Information Is Beautiful, I was lost for an hour. Then I raced to our science department and shared the site with some colleagues, then back to the applied academics department… Read More ›
Picture Books and Primary Sources: Interview with Barry Wittenstein, Author of A Place to Land
Authors and illustrators of historically based picture books often use primary sources as part of their research. These sources shape their understanding of a person, place, or time and ultimately help to shape the final story. As we enter the… Read More ›
That’s just the way it is
Recently I heard the song “The Way It” Is by Bruce Hornsby and the Range and I started thinking about the words: “Said hey, little boy, you can’t go where the others go ‘Cause you don’t look like they do… Read More ›