Sunday, August 9, 2009

Welcome to my new blog!

My story:

For seven and a half years I worked as the teacher librarian at Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills, and I loved sharing my passion for reading, research, information literacy, and technology with my students and staff. I am also an active volunteer in the school library field and thrive on the interaction and camaraderie with other school library people. I am incoming President of CSLA (California School Library Association), Southern Section, and Chair of CSLA's annual state conference coming up in Ontario in November. I'm also a school library advocacy zealot and nuts about Web 2.0. :)

Sadly, like so many other teacher librarians this year, especially in California, my position was terminated in June and I was reassigned to the classroom. However, unlike most teacher librarians in California, I never did work in the classroom other than during my student teaching. I found my way into the field with my M.A. and M.L.S., and then earned both my teaching credential and my library media credential once I was already working in the library. So, here I am beginning a brand new career as a seventh grade language arts teacher this year. I am, of course, incredibly disheartened, and, yes, angry, not to be working in the library this year, and I know that I will find it especially painful working at my same school and watching my library program atrophy. I am, though, excited in some ways to begin a new adventure in which I will be able to implement all of the reading, research, information literacy, digital citizenship, and technology programs with my own students that I have been advocating and encouraging to classroom teachers over the last few years. I decided to start this blog to chronicle my new adventures. I hope that those of you who are in the same boat as me – being reassigned to the classroom – can relate and share your own experiences carrying the school library message in the classroom. “Guest” blog entries will be very welcome. I also just started a ning group for those of us who might refer to ourselves as "TLs in exile" as a forum where we can give each other advice in a positive, supportive environment. Those of you still working as teacher librarians, please cheer me on and support me with this new challenge and feel free to let me be your “guinea pig.” When you have an idea (as all of us TLs so frequently do) that you just know would work great in the classroom, but you don’t yet have a taker, please consider sharing it with me, and I will do my best to try it out and see if it works as a model for your own classroom teachers.

So here, goes! Please wish me luck! And, now back to watching the next tape on classroom management by Harry Wong :)

5 comments:

  1. Jane,
    You in the classroom is a loss for us in libraryland, but a wonderful treat for your students. I taught HS English for many years--holler out if you need any feedback on lessons!

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  2. Jane,

    Your strength and enthusiasm are an inspiration to me! Continue to be angry - I'm angry too. But we can both channel that anger as you continue to be a luminary in our field. Kudos and much admiration!

    -Marie

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  3. Jane,
    Your 09/10 students will be very fortunate to get the research skills and library passion from you.

    I've added your new blog to the School Library Learning 2.0 bloglines newsfeeder, so I'll keep checking in on you there and on the CSLA Board. We live in interesting times!
    Best wishes.

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  4. Jane,

    Your positive attitude in the face of such adversity and fiscal shortsightedness is incredible and humbling! Hearing your story reminds me of the many blessings I have and that I (too) often take for granted. I wish you the best of luck in your return to the classroom. I know your kids are VERY lucky to have you and that you will continue to make a huge impact on their lives and their futures. Cheers!

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  5. Those 7th graders are really lucky to have you! Best of luck!

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