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 ›
diversity
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 ›
Providing Structures for Learning and Change: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Equity has always been a big deal to me. My mom and dad intended to be fair with me and my twin sister, but they inadvertently created a zero-sum game: If they couldn’t afford to do something for both of… Read More ›
On Returning to School
Social media, while it has its share of detractors, has been great about keeping me in touch with many of my colleagues and professional friends who are turning their sights toward the end of summer and the return of another… Read More ›
Books of Our Roots: A Collection of Literature from The Countries of Our Origin
With the summer in full swing, I’m able to take a step back and reflect on the past school year in my high school library. My co-librarian and I accomplished a lot: we taught dozens of research classes, which included… Read More ›
The School Wide Love for The Hate U Give
I am never one to turn down a free lunch. So when the invitation was extended by Khristi Jenkins (school librarian) and Wrenn Heisler (English teacher) at Patuxent High School to come and join in a lunch-time book discussion, I… Read More ›
Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries: More Than Books on the Shelves
It is essential that school librarians continuously update our collections with newer, more relatable, more diverse books; and it’s also essential that we do more than that. Note: While diversity and inclusion work has many layers and intersections, this post… Read More ›
Going Beyond Tikki Tikki Tembo
May marks the month we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in America. May was designated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month because in May 1843 the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States (United… Read More ›
Libraries Welcome All Families: A Conversation with Urban High School Students about Representation in the CT Nutmeg Nominee
By Jillian Woychowski and Kymberlee Powe I am very lucky as a school librarian to work so well with my public librarians. Our city’s children’s and teen services librarian has held card drives and visits me on a regular basis…. Read More ›
Compelling Resources to Support Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the Library
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the practice of noticing and working with feelings. Learners develop skills to manage emotions, build empathy, communicate, persevere, and solve problems. Citizens need these skills to contribute to society. SEL skills are important enough… Read More ›