School began this week. These years have been tough, working in such a low performing school with more and more getting thrown at me, impeding my ability to do what should be done in the media center to increase student success. Yet again, I return with a sense of dedication, perhaps even excitement about the possibilities. I’m trying to clean out the debris of summer visitors and plan new ways to facilitate, organize and provide what students and staff will need. I was so involved with students in the hall, trying to get them to get with the program, go to class and be in uniform that I caught one little guy with his shirt hanging halfway down his thighs! I got him to tuck, only to find he was a 4th grader from another school! That he should have been in his own school is another matter, I suppose.
Students are excited about getting new books to read and my little afterschool posse has already begun showing up. I’ve got a few new tools, like Downloader and all these tools to help teachers effectively teach with technology. I’m giving up the boring BORING Library Introductory Lecture for a podcast I’ll be creating and I’m trying to talk myself into a few after school clubs. The Unquiet Librarian has me reconsidering policies to improve service. Let’s face it, we can’t keep doing the same ol’ thing in the same ol’ way and think things will improve. I think one of the best things I can do as a librarian is to model the need to keep learning and changing. Before I know it, those numbers will flip to ‘185 down’ and I sure hope I have nothing but successes to write about at that point. Right now, I’m just glad it’s Friday!
Cotton Quilts Edi 
Maybe the 4th grader liked your school better. Edi, do your co-workers know about your blog? What do you think of the term Media Specialist? Good luck with the school year.
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Media Specialist…not so much. I think that came from a need to stay relevant in a technological society. I think we need to stay relevant as educators, because we *are teachers. We teach staff AND students! I like ‘Library Teacher”. Some of people in my district have read my blog but not many have commented. The URL is on my school email.
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School’s in already?! Wow…good luck, Edi! You seem really motivated and dedicated to serving the folks at your school. I hope they appreciate all you do!
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I’ll be keeping my eye on you this year! It will be wonderful to read how someone else is doing.
I also like the term – Library Teacher – it reminds everyone that we also have a teaching license and can help make their lessons more relevant. We also understand what it’s like to be in the classroom.
I went back on 8/13 and students start 8/19 – let’s see how the year unfolds!
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We’ll definitely be keeping in touch! I think I’m going to go to the workshop on Sunday, I think it will be a good way to plug into some new ideas and get motivated. I guess I’ll actually meet you there!!
I have a ‘media specialist’ friend in another school in our district who has a sign that says “Library Teacher” outside her office. Most specialists began in the classroom; I still have my Social Studies certification!
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