This is the first time in my many years as an educator that I have experienced a major societal event without being with my students. Even in the summer, I had the reassurance that I would see them soon and… Read More ›
equity
It’s Time for a Permanent Change in Reading Habits
If there is any aspect of reading librarians excel at, it’s the curated list. Over the last two weeks – as protests around the country and the world intensify – librarians in New York City shared countless lists on anti-racist… Read More ›
COVID-19 School Librarianship – Part 3
Proceeds from this shirt support independent booksellers [This is the concluding post in a three-part series. Click here for parts one and two.] At first, there was collective exhaustion and the hope that we would return to normal after April… Read More ›
Thoughts about Navigating Our Strange New World
As president of AASL, it is an honor to have this space to share my thoughts with you. Please bear with me as I ramble through some of the thoughts and issues that are on my mind as we shelter… Read More ›
Recognizing School Librarians in April and All Year Long
School Library Month April is one of my favorite months. My mom was born in April. April showers bring May flowers. Spring is in full swing and the winter blahs are being chased away by the promise of warmer weather,… Read More ›
Exploring Equity with Those Shoes
Making Connections As librarians implementing the AASL Standards, we often find inspiration in those who work around us and among us. We celebrate the work of other librarians and find joy in being part of an effective, innovative profession. Making… Read More ›
Building Cultural Competence through Reading Diverse Books
A few years ago a conversation started in my library that was prompted by a student reading Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give. The student in question identified as a person of color, but in our extremely homogeneous community she… 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 ›
Gold Standard PBL in the Golden State
Golden Gate Bridge, Golden State Warriors, and the Golden Gate Bakery are just a few of the attractions that draw tourists to northern California. The views are stunning, and the food is succulent. But for me and 1,400 other educators,… 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 ›