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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Thursday, April 25, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Interview update
So I didn't get the long term sub interview but it was a great experience. The district went with a candidate who was completing another long term sub position. I had a panel of four people: a principal, librarian, library aide, and unknown. The questions were very brief; 8 total and addressed things such as classroom management, new programs, end of the year procedures, etc.
My VT interview was an interesting experience. I had the interview over Skype with the two school principals; middle school and high school since its for a 6-12 grade library position. They broke the ice with me by instructing where to look so that it looked like I was looking at them. The questions were very engaging and they loved hearing about my ideas for working with technology. The middle school is developing a 1-1 laptop program and the high school has multiple laptop and iPad carts as well as a central computer lab. The middle school principal had a lot to ask! They asked about my experience working with students of this age level and teachers. Teachers are really trying to use more technology and they need a librarian that's willing to facilitate training. I felt pretty good after the interview and I had the right feeling! I got a call today requesting to visit the school in VT! I am going up the week of April 8th. If anyone has any advice for second interviews, please share! I am really excited because I like everything I have heard about this school.
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My VT interview was an interesting experience. I had the interview over Skype with the two school principals; middle school and high school since its for a 6-12 grade library position. They broke the ice with me by instructing where to look so that it looked like I was looking at them. The questions were very engaging and they loved hearing about my ideas for working with technology. The middle school is developing a 1-1 laptop program and the high school has multiple laptop and iPad carts as well as a central computer lab. The middle school principal had a lot to ask! They asked about my experience working with students of this age level and teachers. Teachers are really trying to use more technology and they need a librarian that's willing to facilitate training. I felt pretty good after the interview and I had the right feeling! I got a call today requesting to visit the school in VT! I am going up the week of April 8th. If anyone has any advice for second interviews, please share! I am really excited because I like everything I have heard about this school.
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Sunday, March 17, 2013
First set of interviews
I have exciting news to share followers! I have procured my first couple job interviews within this past week and I am very ecstatic to begin interviewing for my dream career.
I received an email on Wednesday requesting to set an interview with a grades 6-12 school in Vermont. This will take place in 10 days over Skype.
I also procured an interview for a long term sub position in my area. I still have to call the school back to set up the interview; sometimes juggling schedules is difficult.
I am very excited for these opportunities. I am pooling my resources and preparing for both interviews. If you have any friendly interviewing advice, please share! I appreciate any and all guidance. For now, I am researching both schools; formulating questions, and fine tuning my smile.
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I received an email on Wednesday requesting to set an interview with a grades 6-12 school in Vermont. This will take place in 10 days over Skype.
I also procured an interview for a long term sub position in my area. I still have to call the school back to set up the interview; sometimes juggling schedules is difficult.
I am very excited for these opportunities. I am pooling my resources and preparing for both interviews. If you have any friendly interviewing advice, please share! I appreciate any and all guidance. For now, I am researching both schools; formulating questions, and fine tuning my smile.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
World Book Night update
I recently received notice that I will be giving away copies of the book, Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. I will admit it wasn't my first choice and I am not sure why I chose it even as my third since I have yet to read it... However, this gives me the opportunity to step outside of my box and read something a little out of my realm. Then I could really encourage non-readers to read it. Has anyone else read this work? I am beginning my job search. I have been working hard on my portfolio. You should check it out here: shdesant.wordpress.com . I have applied to some out of state jobs, a couple very close to home, and in April, I will be attending a Teacher Recruitment Day fair to seek more opportunities. I have never been more excited to embark on a career!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
World Book Night
I have exciting news! I was chosen to be a book giver for World Book Night in April! The purpose behind World Book Night is spreading the love of reading to non-readers, people who don't generally read for enjoyment. I filled out the application in January and had the opportunity to discuss this exciting adventure with the local bookstore owner. When filling out the application, you had to choose three books to potentially give away (I am hoping to give away John Green's Looking for Alaska) and will be notified which book was selected for us soon. We will be prompted to pick up 20 free copies of our chosen book and give them out on April 23rd for World Book Night. I am hoping to be substitute teaching that day at the secondary level but if I am not, I will gladly find a place to hand out the chosen book. If you have any back-up ideas, please comment! The trick is not to go where readers go because the target audience is NON-readers so perhaps a supermarket or a local fast food joint will do... There's nothing more that I enjoy then spreading my love of reading. I don't think anyone in particular is a non-reader. I just don't think they've found the right book yet! Here's to hoping I am the one to introduce them to a new favorite!
For more information, visit www.worldbooknight.org
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
For more information, visit www.worldbooknight.org
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Librarian Infographic
Courtesy of: Master Degree Online">Librarian Infographic
Courtesy of Master Degree Online
In my attempt to catch up on reading all of the professional blgs I follow, I stumbled upon this infographic and thought it was pretty sweet.
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Friday, February 8, 2013
update and random thoughts
It's been a very busy semester thus far! I can't believe we are already ending week four of the Syracuse University semester and week five of my WISE course. Things have been going fairly well. I finished my practicum hours at the end of the January. I was struggling a little at the end with a knee injury, a persistent cold, and schoolwork piling up faster than I could keep up but taking some time off of subbing this week proved useful for catching up and things seem to be on the up-and-up again.
My practicum ended on a great note. I taught a lot of lessons my last couple of weeks. I discovered that KWL charts may not be the best tool for engaging K-2 but alas it was a learning experience. The upper grade levels enjoyed exploring the TrueFlix database and it was interesting to read what topics they found interesting. The middle grades (grades 3 & 4) responded well to the non-fiction book-talks I presented and the influx of circulation in such materials proved it! My last day I was able to help give exemplary students library and technology awards. It was nice to see how choked up my sponsor librarian was because it really shows how much she values her career and her students.
I was reflecting on a book I was reading for my WISE course with my librarian one day. It's about the digital native and how our lives are consumed with technology. I didn't see why reading a book while listening to music or watching TV while doing homework was such a big deal but apparently that's not normal. Multitasking is a common trait to this generation and I suppose I have mastered it. It's interesting how much one takes for granted.
In school library management this week, we are discussing collection development. I have always enjoyed this aspect of the librarian position. (Who doesn't like buying things?!) I am really excited to get started on writing a joint collection development policy with one of my classmates. Barb Stripling had a really great idea to involve staff in the process of weeding by holding a weeding party where staff can help weed the collection related to their area. I believe this is easier for secondary schools but I am sure it can be applied to elementary libraries too. It must be fun to find the oldest book in the collection, wipe the dust off, and see what misinformation you can find as you remove it from the shelf! I have no problem weeding as you may be able to tell. I only want what's best for my future students.
I also raised an interesting point on one of the classroom discussion boards. I am always trying to figure out the librarian's role on cultivating literacy. I know that librarians promote literacy but I wasn't sure about how much we taught literacy. According to Barb Stripling, we do teach literacy, just not decoding; which makes sense. We should be teaching comprehension to be sure students can understand what they are reading. It kind of goes back to the "every teacher is a reading teacher" approach. I still wonder if the program one of my sponsor librarians is helping run is under this umbrella. She is working with a special education teacher with small groups of students choosing articles and creating comprehension questions and activities for students to respond to in order to increase reading fluency and reading level.
On a similar note, I loved how Barb Stripling spoke out about leveling books. I hate leveling books. I don't want to promote such practices in my library. If a student likes a book but it's a bit "above their reading level", why should we tell them they can't read it? I feel that doing this truly limits students and makes them feel bad about themselves. I hate when a student comes in and says "I need a book at *this* level." Please take out a book because you like it. I also get frustrated when I find a book for a student and an adult tells me it's above their reading level. Let the student try. Sometimes, the student may have a parent or older siblings at home willing to help them. Sometimes, they read above grade level and can handle the material. You won't know until you try and letting a student take the book home isn't going to hurt. End story. End rant.
My practicum ended on a great note. I taught a lot of lessons my last couple of weeks. I discovered that KWL charts may not be the best tool for engaging K-2 but alas it was a learning experience. The upper grade levels enjoyed exploring the TrueFlix database and it was interesting to read what topics they found interesting. The middle grades (grades 3 & 4) responded well to the non-fiction book-talks I presented and the influx of circulation in such materials proved it! My last day I was able to help give exemplary students library and technology awards. It was nice to see how choked up my sponsor librarian was because it really shows how much she values her career and her students.
I was reflecting on a book I was reading for my WISE course with my librarian one day. It's about the digital native and how our lives are consumed with technology. I didn't see why reading a book while listening to music or watching TV while doing homework was such a big deal but apparently that's not normal. Multitasking is a common trait to this generation and I suppose I have mastered it. It's interesting how much one takes for granted.
In school library management this week, we are discussing collection development. I have always enjoyed this aspect of the librarian position. (Who doesn't like buying things?!) I am really excited to get started on writing a joint collection development policy with one of my classmates. Barb Stripling had a really great idea to involve staff in the process of weeding by holding a weeding party where staff can help weed the collection related to their area. I believe this is easier for secondary schools but I am sure it can be applied to elementary libraries too. It must be fun to find the oldest book in the collection, wipe the dust off, and see what misinformation you can find as you remove it from the shelf! I have no problem weeding as you may be able to tell. I only want what's best for my future students.
I also raised an interesting point on one of the classroom discussion boards. I am always trying to figure out the librarian's role on cultivating literacy. I know that librarians promote literacy but I wasn't sure about how much we taught literacy. According to Barb Stripling, we do teach literacy, just not decoding; which makes sense. We should be teaching comprehension to be sure students can understand what they are reading. It kind of goes back to the "every teacher is a reading teacher" approach. I still wonder if the program one of my sponsor librarians is helping run is under this umbrella. She is working with a special education teacher with small groups of students choosing articles and creating comprehension questions and activities for students to respond to in order to increase reading fluency and reading level.
On a similar note, I loved how Barb Stripling spoke out about leveling books. I hate leveling books. I don't want to promote such practices in my library. If a student likes a book but it's a bit "above their reading level", why should we tell them they can't read it? I feel that doing this truly limits students and makes them feel bad about themselves. I hate when a student comes in and says "I need a book at *this* level." Please take out a book because you like it. I also get frustrated when I find a book for a student and an adult tells me it's above their reading level. Let the student try. Sometimes, the student may have a parent or older siblings at home willing to help them. Sometimes, they read above grade level and can handle the material. You won't know until you try and letting a student take the book home isn't going to hurt. End story. End rant.
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