It's been a crazy month but I have great news to share! I have accepted a position! It was crazy; I had the Skype interview with the two principals in VT, next thing I know two days later, I get a call asking when I can take a trip to the area. So the following week, my dad and I travelled to the Green Mountain State; a lovely place with beautiful scenery, mountains, and moose crossing signs!
I had an all day interview planned. The school was very close to the inn we stayed at and the town is small and quaint which was a relief.
I was able to meet with students, teachers, guidance counselors, and principals and it was an amazing experience. The school shares my philosophy of making the school library a central hub of the building: creating a safe, welcoming space where students can relax, explore technology, teachers collaborate with the librarian, facilitate workshops, and the like.It broke my heart that their middle level community doesn't feel they have a place to belong in their library which is a shared space with the high school. The teachers felt left out too. A lot of teachers mentioned wanting help working with new technology which I love doing so I am excited. One of the teachers already uses a lot of Web 2.0 tools in his classroom which was encouraging. I enjoyed talking to the high school students during teacher's advisory as they asked me silly questions like have I ever dyed my hair and what's the craziest thing I had done in my lifetime. I sat in the hot seat in a middle level leadership class and they told me what they envisioned for their library and new librarian. I loved listening to their ideas and many of them were quite reasonable! I loved how student centered the school was; especially to involve students in the hiring process!
Ever since I left Vermont, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I was dreaming about it! The sense of community and love for learning at the school was heart warming. Everything they wanted in a library/ librarian I wanted too. I was so happy to hear my name get passed to the superintendent, and after a short discussion with her, to the school board.
I think this new position has the opportunity for growth both as a librarian and a school. I have so many ideas for these students and teachers and school community and I can't wait to hear how we can transform their library into the central hub of the school community. I have never been so happy. My principal is already sending me to a conference next month too; for which I am very thankful for. I will have the opportunity to network with area librarians and start planning for next year! It's finally happening!
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