Blog Interaction with Carl Harvey II – Mon. Oct. 24 to Wed. Oct. 26, 2005

Carl Harvey II is the library media specialist at North Elementary School, Noblesville, IN.

Learn more about Carl Harvey at http://eduscapes.com/sms/harvey.html

To begin the conversation, you might blog-talk with Carl about professional leadership and development, collaboration and curriculum development, or technology integration. I am sure that Carl is willing to discuss any idea and issue related to jobs in school library media.

Blog Interaction with Vickie Thomas – Thurs. Oct. 20 to Sat. Oct. 22, 2005

Vickie Thomas is the library media specialist at Anderson High School. Her high school recently underwent extensive renovations that included the library media center.

Learn more about Vickie Thomas at http://eduscapes.com/sms/thomas.html

You might begin discussions with Vickie on information skills, collaborative programs with public library, and facilities planning. But feel free to expand the interaction to any ideas and issues related to her work and career.

Blog Interaction with Bonnie Grimble – Mon. Oct. 17 to Wed. Oct. 19, 2005

Bonnie Grimble works in a large urban high school as the media center department chair working with three other media specialists.

Learn more about Bonnie Grimble at http://eduscapes.com/sms/grimble.html

You might focus discussions with Bonnie on program planning, administration and budgeting, facilities design, or the value of professional involvement. Or you can open up to include any issues and ideas related to her knowledge and experience.

Blog Interaction with Catherine Trinkle – Thurs. Oct. 13 to Sat. Oct. 15, 2005

Catherine Trinkle is the media specialist at Hickory Elementary in Avon, IN.

Learn more about Catherine Trinkle at http://eduscapes.com/sms/trinkle.html

You might start your e-conversation by asking Catherine about fixed versus flexible scheduling (she has worked in both environments), technology integration, or the basis of her opinion of AASL’s Information Literacy Standards. But feel free to bring up any issues that relate to the work of an elementary teacher librarian.

Blog Interaction with Deborah Levitov – Thurs. Oct. 13 to Sat. Oct. 15, 2005

Deborah Levitov has worked at elementary and secondary school libraries and public libraries. She spent several years as the Coordinator for Library Media Services at Lincoln Public Schools (NB). This past summer, she switched to being the Managing Editor of School Library Activities Monthly and Crinkles magazines.

Learn more about Deborah Levitov at http://eduscapes.com/sms/levitov.html

You may want to discuss writing practical articles for the profession or her ideas and experiences with staff development planning and activities. But with her wide background of experiences and expertise, I’m sure Deb would be willing to talk about anything related to school library media programs.

Blog Interaction with Jane Kokotkiewicz - Mon. Oct. 10 to Wed. Oct. 12, 2005

Jane Kokotkiewicz is a school library media specialist in a highly acclaimed private school. She is department chair for the library media services with three library media centers; one serving the Hilbert Early Education Center and Lower School, another serving the Middle School, and a third serving the Upper School.

Learn more about Jane Kokotkiewicz at http://eduscapes.com/sms/kokotkiewicz.html

Discussions with Jane might begin with comparing and contrasting work in private and public schools and involvement in curriculum and program planning. Feel free to move on to other aspects and interests.

Blog Interaction with Elizabeth Winningham – Thurs. Sept. 29 to Sat. Oct. 1, 2005

Elizabeth Winningham began her school library career opening the media center at Avon Intermediate School (Now designated as East). More recently, she was centrally involved in the planning, development, and opening of the media center for a new school, Avon Intermediate School West (Her new work location).

Learn more about Elizabeth Winningham at http://eduscapes.com/sms/winningham.html

You might start this virtual exchange asking Elizabeth of her unique insights into reading and approaches for helping reluctant readers, collaborative planning, information literacy, or her recent experiences in planning and opening a new school media center. But don't limit disccussion to these; Elizabeth has a wealth of information, ideas, and experience to share.

Blog Interaction with John McDonald - Mon. Sept. 26 to Wed. Sept 28, 2005

John McDonald, Connersville Middle School, is an active school library media specialist with seemingly endless energy and ideas. A few years ago as a beginning teacher librarian, he proactively initiated changes that truly impact students, his school and community. John has been successful in collaborating with administration, teachers and students.

Learn more about John McDonald at http://eduscapes.com/sms/mcdonald.html

You may want to start with discussion about his part in the adoption of an information inquiry model, or how he teams with students in the media center, or his insights on professional involvement. But feel free to bring up ideas and issues related to any part of his work.

Blog Interaction with Nancy McGriff - Thurs. Sept. 22 to Sat. Sept. 24, 2005

Nancy McGriff is a school library media specialist with lots of experience and a proven "track record." Her programs at two different school locations were given the Esther V. Burring award for the Exemplary Indiana Media Program (1992 and 1999). And she has reached outside her work location to lead in professional organizations, publish articles, and collaborate with and mentor colleagues.

To learn more, be sure to visit http://eduscapes.com/sms/mcgriff.html

It is appropriate to begin this semester's virtual visits with Nancy. You could start by focusing the discussion on program planning, grant writing, or the teacher librarian's role in reading, but feel free to jump in and ask a question in any area related to her work.

Bridging Theory and Practice

Welcome to our School Library Media Specialist blog for L553 at Indiana University at Indianapolis. Over the next few months we'll be exploring a wide range of topics that will help preservice teacher librarians bridge the gap between theory and practice. Each posting will focus on different key issues and topics. A guest professional will be commenting on the topic and answering questions.

Even if you're not registered for this class, feel free to comment if you have ideas you feel might be relevant to the discussion.