tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post2036264896710641142..comments2023-11-02T00:52:14.853-07:00Comments on Teacher Librarians: Bridging Theory and Practice: Teresa Garreth-Mon. Sept. 15th to Wed. Sept. 17, 2008Annette Lambhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07150717459280380525noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-25215946033281174932008-09-20T15:31:00.000-07:002008-09-20T15:31:00.000-07:00Theresa,I know your time here is over but I just w...Theresa,<BR/>I know your time here is over but I just want to say thanks. I feel a little bit more confident after reading all of your responses. I have almost 900 students with the assistance of a full time media aide. She is constantly being pulled away for tech assistance and lunch room duties. Sometimes their isn't ANYONE in the library to help students! I appreciate your time and patience in answering our questions.<BR/><BR/>Kathy B.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15682700901945724953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-50616579739785936052008-09-18T14:49:00.000-07:002008-09-18T14:49:00.000-07:00Thank you again for sharing your time, comments, a...Thank you again for sharing your time, comments, and ideas with the class, Ms. Garreth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-39924416456939676712008-09-18T07:20:00.000-07:002008-09-18T07:20:00.000-07:00Kara-I do not actually record evidence of my colla...Kara-<BR/>I do not actually record evidence of my collaborations. I do it daily when needed and not on a scheduled basis. Today, as of 10:00, I have talked to 3 different English teachers about ongoing projects we are doing. I may have touched on your other question in another response. I base my assessment on how student projects turn out and do they have what they need. At the completion of a project I always check with teacher s to see if they can think of something they needed information on that we did not have. This was a lot harder the first couple of years I was here. Now I know what is coming and buy updated materials accordingly before that unit each year. I feel our collection connects well with our school curriculum.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-18251767895048958772008-09-18T07:16:00.000-07:002008-09-18T07:16:00.000-07:00Jennifer-The teachers love that I have actually ta...Jennifer-<BR/>The teachers love that I have actually taught in the classroom myself. I have an understanding of where they are coming from and what they need from me because I have been there before.<BR/>I no longer supervise the 7 schools so I am in my location from 7:30-3:30 each day. I also open every other Thursday evening from 6-8 if requested by any students or teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-71134394509080377442008-09-18T07:13:00.000-07:002008-09-18T07:13:00.000-07:00Jennifer-My best personal form of assessment is do...Jennifer-<BR/>My best personal form of assessment is do I have what they need? If students perform well on what teachers ask them to do and they find that information here, I feel I am supporting them well. Once again, I think we are strong in this area because our English teachers align their curriculums well with state standards and communicate what is happening to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-75007578641735526752008-09-18T07:07:00.000-07:002008-09-18T07:07:00.000-07:00Alicia-We could not survive in our school without ...Alicia-<BR/>We could not survive in our school without INSPIRE. I do a 1 day intro to the media center with our freshman, but we do a 5 day media center orientation with our sophomores. In our building this is the level they begin to research. I spend 2 days with them on INSPIRE searching. On the first day I model and have them do a short search activity. On the second day, they bring a topic they want to research and use what they have learned. I am available the whole hour to help them if they struggle. My English department constantly encourages use of INSPIRE. When we do research, most teachers give students a day or two in the lab and then a day or two on the media floor to research. We do this so they do not totally depend on all online sources, but are required to use book sources as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-15365634834012868582008-09-18T07:01:00.000-07:002008-09-18T07:01:00.000-07:00Mr. Gish--Our only experience with students record...Mr. Gish--<BR/>Our only experience with students recording themselves is for projects via band and or choir. We also have our Government classes produce commercials during the year and they sometimes use musical props. This is great for them because of the editing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-57971376251720067582008-09-18T06:41:00.000-07:002008-09-18T06:41:00.000-07:00KB-I do feel like I have a decent sized staff. I ...KB-<BR/>I do feel like I have a decent sized staff. I have to prove statistics each year to keep them. Our school is approximately 1100 students 9-12. Classes schedule into the media center and labs via me. We are also ALWAYS open for students to come on passes or agendas to work independently. I have labs that are only to be used with students that are with teachers--for supervision purposes and then I have approximately 15 computers on my media floor that they work on if they are on their own. I speak with my principal numerous times each week due to my high involvement in various committees, etc. I send separate newsletters to staff updating them on new topics, events, etc., but include news to students via our newsletters and daily broadcast announcements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-32093398298048739562008-09-18T06:36:00.000-07:002008-09-18T06:36:00.000-07:00Mrs. Newton--My biggest joy is working directly wi...Mrs. Newton--<BR/>My biggest joy is working directly with frustrated students to help them find a book they actually like to read and/or helping them learn how to use valuable and accurate sources for their research. When they say, "Hey thanks, I loved that book" or "Hey that was the easiest paper I've ever written" then I know I'm making progress. <BR/><BR/>My biggest frustration is all of the paperwork (budgets, reports, etc.) that take time away from <BR/>working directly with students. It frustrates me when I am in my office and kids have to come get me for help. They should not have to come get me, I should be there. This happens more than I want it to. Even though these times are also part of my job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-30006520425061335932008-09-18T06:22:00.000-07:002008-09-18T06:22:00.000-07:00Julie-Our school corporation supports Front Page f...Julie-<BR/>Our school corporation supports Front Page for web design and frequently offers inservice to staff that need extra help. I find it easy to use and update.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-10194631176530816832008-09-18T06:05:00.000-07:002008-09-18T06:05:00.000-07:00Hi Teresa. I see from our instructor's website th...Hi Teresa. I see from our instructor's website that you are interested in Inspire. I get quite a few kids in the public library I work at that have never heard of Inspire at all. Do you have any best practices as a media specialist to encourage and teach kids to use Inspire effectively? Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04027177912992861224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-89239480804968259252008-09-17T20:56:00.000-07:002008-09-17T20:56:00.000-07:00Hi Teresa,I read your response to Judy's question ...Hi Teresa,<BR/><BR/>I read your response to Judy's question about collaboration and how you find time to work with your fellow teachers and implement integrated curriculum. My question follows-up with this line of thought in that I am wondering how you record evidence of your collaboration and how you assess the quality and successfulness of a collaborative project?<BR/><BR/>Thank you for taking time to blog with us this week!<BR/><BR/>Kara BaylessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-52661722214757156852008-09-17T20:54:00.000-07:002008-09-17T20:54:00.000-07:00Hi Teresa!I read that you were a teacher. What dre...Hi Teresa!<BR/><BR/>I read that you were a teacher. What drew you to being a media school specialist? I have thought about this profession for years. I was a teacher also. I was lucky enough to find a job a year and half after I graduated. But the only jobs I got were temporary contracts. With lack of jobs in my area, I chose to leave the field. I've been in management ever since. When I decided to go to grad school, I thought about a media specialist. I wonder how teachers would respond to me since I was a former teacher.<BR/><BR/>So, do get a positive response from teachers when they find out you were a teacher?<BR/><BR/>One of my teaching jobs I taught A.M. kindergarten at one school and P.M. kindergarten at another school. As a librarian how is your time managed when dealing with multiple schools? I did A.M.'s prep before school and P.M.'s prep after school. I usually left school around 4 or 4:30 and arrived at school between 6:30 and 7.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-62844939024694350432008-09-17T18:35:00.000-07:002008-09-17T18:35:00.000-07:00Mrs. Garreth,Thanks for answering my question. I ...Mrs. Garreth,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for answering my question. I was wondering if in your studio you have the capabilities for students to record themselves musically, and if any take you up on it. I want to try a little recording in my school and was wondering if it is something you have experience with?<BR/><BR/>Chad GishAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-49844931476085597402008-09-17T18:13:00.000-07:002008-09-17T18:13:00.000-07:00Hello, again! I feel very similar about my new po...Hello, again! I feel very similar about my new position! It is so nice to get to see ALL of the students in our elementary each week! Our library is scheduled into our "specials" schedule, so I see each class for 40 min. (kindergarten for 30 min.) every four days! I feel like I get to really build a relationship with the students this way! On a lighter note...I have to admit that I sometimes compare my new position, as a media specialist, to being a grandparent. Sometimes you have those students who are nice to see for those 40 minutes, but it's also nice to see them leave :) (I only mean this in the nicest way!) Thanks for sharing your thoughts about moving from the classroom into the media center with me! I'm anxious for many more exciting years!<BR/>~Gracia, S671/Fall 2008Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-50633991663146677632008-09-17T17:35:00.000-07:002008-09-17T17:35:00.000-07:00Hi Teresa,I noticed that you seem to have a good s...Hi Teresa,<BR/>I noticed that you seem to have a good sized staff. Was it always like that or did you have to work up to that? How many students are in your school? How supportive is your principal and what kinds of communication do you have with him? Do you do media center newsletters separate from the school or do you just include something with the school one?<BR/><BR/>One last question: Are classes scheduled into the library?<BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading this!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15682700901945724953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-73877645922373445032008-09-17T16:28:00.000-07:002008-09-17T16:28:00.000-07:00Hi Teresa,Would you please say a few words about s...Hi Teresa,<BR/><BR/>Would you please say a few words about student assessment? Does assessment play a role in your program? How do you use assessment data to inform instruction or guide collection development? What assessment data is important to you? Thank you for your comments.<BR/><BR/>Jennifer SiglerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-86066569634374337332008-09-17T15:08:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:08:00.000-07:00Thank you for all of your practical insights. I wo...Thank you for all of your practical insights. I would like to ask a few "less practical" questions...<BR/><BR/>What is your biggest joy as a media specialist?<BR/><BR/>What is your biggest frustration?Mrs. Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05075631953494098862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-15310493601080082822008-09-17T12:15:00.000-07:002008-09-17T12:15:00.000-07:00Thanks for your comments and thoughts on the topic...Thanks for your comments and thoughts on the topic of Accelerated Readers, Ms. Garreth. I'm doing some research on it and how accuately it measures and developes literacy skills in students for one of my education courses. <BR/><BR/>I also like your "open approach" with students and teachers, reaching out to help them find what they want to read and what they need for assignments. I hope to take all of this information with me when I begin working as a SLMS someday. :)<BR/><BR/>Thank you again for your time,<BR/>Julie<BR/><BR/>9:10 AMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-6316411599327055972008-09-17T12:09:00.000-07:002008-09-17T12:09:00.000-07:00Thank you for sharing what makes for a good school...Thank you for sharing what makes for a good school library media center (SLMC) webpage and the important features to include. Do you need to have an extensive knowledge of HTML or do you find you use pre-made templates?<BR/><BR/>Thank you,<BR/>JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-24385814342497114432008-09-17T12:04:00.000-07:002008-09-17T12:04:00.000-07:00Hi Ms. Garreth,I enjoyed reading and learning new ...Hi Ms. Garreth,<BR/>I enjoyed reading and learning new ideas from your comments and personal experience dealing with collection development. Do you get many ARC's to read? How does this work and are students allowed to read the ARC copy?<BR/><BR/>I admire and respect how you select and purchase materials that students want to read and will likewise use to meet their curriculum and personal needs and interests. <BR/><BR/>Thank you!<BR/>~JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-54398546807211986342008-09-17T11:57:00.000-07:002008-09-17T11:57:00.000-07:00Thank you Ms. Garreth for taking the time to answe...Thank you Ms. Garreth for taking the time to answer all my questions concerning school librarianship. I appreciate your time, knowledge, and experience.<BR/>~Julie ReitzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-78389654964830165502008-09-17T09:33:00.000-07:002008-09-17T09:33:00.000-07:00Mrs. Brown-There is a huge difference in my job as...Mrs. Brown-<BR/>There is a huge difference in my job as supervisor of the elementary libraries and my job here. As supervisor I tried to visit each school each week, support my media technicians, order for each school, etc. I felt more like just their administrator. At the high school I am in charge of a beautiful facility, but I am in constant contact with students helping them find what they need. Each day several classrooms visit the media center with their teachers for research and then I help them find what they need both online and in books. WE are also open for students from 7:30-4:00 without passes. WE usually have approximately 100 a day that are down here for an hour during different periods working on assignments. I try to be available for questions. I do work in my office a lot during periods where I am not working directly with classes. I have 2 media technicians that help maintain order with the students that are here without teacher supervision. My days are always different and sometimes I do not sit down. High school students have to see you right there and available to know you are willing to help. I think media centers are now busy places students want to be. Somedays we are super busy and other days teachers are instructing in the room and giving test so it is a little quieter. Generally speaking several classes and many students visit us each day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-57940295861273034852008-09-17T09:27:00.000-07:002008-09-17T09:27:00.000-07:00Mrs. Newton--I am currently in charge of our high ...Mrs. Newton--<BR/>I am currently in charge of our high school program and this is my 7th year here. I do not still supervise the elementaries. The elementaries are supervised by a certified teacher over all 7 and staffed with media technicians.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15551042.post-65597634305453580392008-09-17T09:25:00.000-07:002008-09-17T09:25:00.000-07:00Grace--I love my job. I also loved my job as a cl...Grace--<BR/>I love my job. I also loved my job as a classroom teacher. To be honest, when I decided to work on my masters I was not looking for a job change I just knew I wanted something other than elementary education so other options were there. The only reason I made the change so soon after completion of my degree was location of a job closer to home. I began in elementary library supervision and really, really missed the students. When our high school job became open I made the move. I love the high school students and work so frequently with classrooms that I know most of the students. I also try to help out in extra things at school-National Honor Society, and a couple of other school clubs so students see me more frequently. I think when you are not actually in the classroom you have to work harder to earn student respect and get them to see you as someone that is there to help them. I feel fortunate that students use the media center a lot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com