This past weekend I read an outstanding essay in The New York Times “Book Review” section by Brian Morton, the director of the writing program at Sarah Lawrence College. In it, he describes an encounter with a college student who had been… Read More ›
Have you ever experienced a convergence of events that caused an unsettling in your thinking? I did, and the result pointed to one conclusion: transform my approach to student engagement. Since September, a series of events caused me to consider… Read More ›
A coral reef is a long line of coral that lies in warm, shallow water. A diverse amount of sea life depends on coral reefs for food, reproduction, and protection. To see it first hand is quite extraordinary. Last… Read More ›
After a recent weeding bonanza where we tossed late 80s and early 90s versions of teen self-help and how-to guides, we decided to reinvest in those areas and create a Get Inspired subcollection featuring a wider variety of topics our… Read More ›
In my state, Missouri, the Missouri Association of School Librarians has book awards for K-12 students. When the list for their picture book award, the Show Me Award, contains a picture book that focuses on an actual event or individual,… Read More ›
Ho Ho Holy Moly! I spent time with my nephews this holiday. The oldest boy is 10, and he is starting to stretch both physically and mentally into the adult he will become. Seeing him reminds me of when I… Read More ›
Professional goals The new year is here, and many of us are making resolutions regarding our health and personal time. But how many of us make professional goals for the new year? I am challenged to think about ways to… Read More ›
This month, when deciding what to blog about, I waited to start writing until after I finished a two-day collaboration with a visionary teacher at my high school using Makey Makey STEM kits. She is a creative, dynamic teacher, and… Read More ›
For several years now, I have seen a steady increase in the number of chronic long overdue items by my school library users. After surveying my local professional learning community (PLC) group, I realize I am not alone in dealing… Read More ›
Libraries are important places for social connections in our societies and schools. When I worked in a small public library, many of our older patrons counted on the library to serve a social function. Not just with programs or activities,… Read More ›