Five years ago, I began my new position as head librarian in a large public high school located in the Midwest. Needless to say, I was excited about all the opportunities and possibilities it would offer. My previous experiences at… Read More ›
collaborative culture
Developing a MakerCare Program
Although I was super excited about the makerspace movement, my enthusiasm quickly faded as I realized expectations and reality can be very different. What started as a $50,000 educational shopping spree (thanks, TeacherPreneur Grant), had all but ended with two… Read More ›
Growing Your #PLN: Search. Follow. Connect.
Throughout our #ConnectedEducator blog posts, we have taken a look what it means to be a connected educator; what a hashtag is and how to use them through Twitter chats; and most recently, how to build your social media profile… Read More ›
What’s a Hashtag?
In last month’s post, What is a #ConnectedEducator, we looked at a few ways we can become more connected virtually and share online. Being a connected educator is one of the best ways to build your personal learning network, connect… Read More ›
What Is a #ConnectedEducator?
How often in your career have you heard someone say, “you really need to be a connected educator” or “you should get connected with…”? I find myself telling friends and colleagues this quite often. Many of us in the school… Read More ›
See One, Do One, Teach One
The phrase “see one, do one, teach one” is often used for medical personnel, particularly trainees focused in surgical areas. The phrase reflects a method of teaching in which a surgical student will observe a procedure, perform the procedure on… Read More ›
Help the Teachers Teach
How to help the willing co-teachers There are many ways to help classroom teachers, but the ultimate has to be a co-teaching situation. In my experience, teaching research and library skills in a vacuum is not effective. Students may learn… Read More ›
Confessions of a Librarian Who Does Everything Wrong
“How do you do inventory if you can’t close the library because you’re letting kids take books out for the summer?” The criticism in the other school librarian’s voice was not even trying to veil itself behind a smile. “I… Read More ›
Just Let the Kids Do It
“Just let the kids do it,” our dance teacher often sighs at me. I’ll admit. I’m a bit of a control freak. Like to the point I will unload the dishwasher after my mother loads it, only to reload it… Read More ›
Partnering with the Public Library: Book Talks & More
A partnership with the public library can provide a school library with a wealth of resources. Often, a school library’s funding is much, much less than your local public library’s funding. Recently, I reached out to my local county library branch… Read More ›