Teresa Garreth-Mon. Sept. 15th to Wed. Sept. 17, 2008

Teresa Garreth is the media specialist at New Castle Chrysler High School (NCCHS). Previously Teresa was an elementary teacher and later supervised seven elementary libraries for the New Castle Community Schools.

Learn more about Teresa and her professional interests and expertise at http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/garreth.html

Visit her media center's website at http://www.nccsc.k12.in.us/hsmedia/

Teresa has first-hand experience with a position responsible for several school libraries and can provide realistic ideas about multiple building types of assignments. She also has excellent ideas and experience related to reading promotion, collection development, and can discuss any relevant issue related to school library media.

Blog Interaction with Joyce Valenza - Mon. Oct 29 to Wed. Oct 31, 2007

Dr. Joyce Valenza from Springfield Township High School is a School Library Media Specialist who is a strong advocate of the 'Library 2.0' movement. The evolution of her Virtual Library resources reflects her philosophy. More recently she's moved toward learning spaces that incorporate learner participation and active involvement such as blogs and wikis.

Learn more about Joyce by exploring the information and resources found at http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/valenza.html

You might begin a conversation with her about specific details related to her vision for today's teacher librarians or her ideas and insights for school libraries and technology.

Blog Interaction with Hella Rumschlag - Thurs. Oct. 18 to Wed. Oct. 20, 2007

Hella Rumschlag is in her second year as the media specialist and technology coordinator at Mohawk Trails Elementary School in Carmel, IN. This is also the second time she has joined this class as an expert practitioner in the field. Start by reading the archived discussions with her from last year (Nov. 2006).

Learn more about Hella at http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/rumschlag.html.

Mohawk Trails Library Mediea Center http://www.ccs.k12.in.us/mte/MediaCenter/...htm

Hella's extensive background makes her an excellent resource for discussion on career change, combined responsibilties for technology and library media, and other topics directly related to schools and learning.

Blog Interaction with Teresa Garreth - Mon. Oct. 15 to Wed. Oct. 17, 2007

Joining the class for the first time is media specialist at New Chrysler High School, New Castle Community Schools: Teresa Garreth. Teresa is another outstanding Indiana teacher librarian, a well-rounded leader in our profession.

Learn more about Teresa and her professional interests and expertise at http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/garreth.html.

Visit her media center's website at http://www.nccsc.k12.in.us/hsmedia/

To begin the conversation, you might blog-discuss with Teresa about professional leadership and development, technology integration and the SLM program, or collection development. I'm sure that Teresa is willing to discuss any relevant idea and issue related to school library media.

Blog Interaction with Chris Somers - Wed. Oct. 11 to Sat. Oct. 13, 2007

Chris Somers is the media specialist at Indian Creek Middle School in Trafalgar, Indiana. This is the second time that she has taken time from her schedule to interact and share her experiences and insights with this class; be sure to visit the discussions with students archived here in November 2005.

Learn more about Chris and her professional interests and expertise at:
Chris Somers http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/somers.html.

You can also visit her school's and media center websites:
Indian Creek Middle School http://www.nhj.k12.in.us/icms/
Media Center website http://www.nhj.k12.in.us/icms/library/index.htm

She has been very successful in securing grants for her school and collaborating with teachers. She is another Indiana teacher librarian who is integrally involved in classrooms and student learning and who is always looking for new and interesting opportunities.

Blog Interaction with Alice Yucht - Mon. Oct. 8 to Wed. Oct. 10, 2007

We are privileged to have as our 'virtual guest': Alice Yucht - - a truly remarkable library professional with varied experiences, loads of expertise, and her truly, unique ways of expression. And while she no longer works as a full-time librarian, she continues to write, speak, teach, and contribute new ideas to the field.

Learn a little more about Alice at these websites:
Alice Yucht http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/yucht.html
Alice in InfoLand (blogsite) http://www.aliceinfo.org/

I doubt if there is any concept directly related to libraries and school libraries that Alice could not respond to with solid, practical suggestions . . . but this is not a contest - - rather it's a rare opportunity to discuss real issues with an expert.

Blog Interaction with Leslie Preddy - Thur. Oct. 4 to Sat. Oct. 6, 2007

Leslie Preddy is the library media specialist at Perry Meridian Middle School, Indianapolis. Leslie is an outstanding Indiana and national leader in our field. She is an enthusiastic teacher librarian with a long list of participation, accomplishment, and some well-deserved recognition.

Learn more about Leslie:
Introduction at eduScapes http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/preddy.html
Instructional Media Center Website: http://pmms.msdpt.k12.in.us/imc/index.htm
Leslie Preddy: Reading, Thinking, Learning, Living . . . http://www.lesliepreddy.com/

Leslie is a frequent presentor at state, regional, and national conferences. Look for her on the program of this Fall's AASL Conference and the ILF / IAME Conference.

This is another opportunity to discuss real issues, concerns, and experiences with a library media professional.

Blog Interaction with Janette Fluharty - Mon. Oct. 1 to Wed. Oct. 3, 2007

Janette Fluharty is the first SLMS joining class members for this semester's blog discussions (She was the final virtual guest during last year's class). This year is Janette's third year as library media specialist at Avon Intermediate School East, Avon, IN.

Visit her school's media center pages at http://media-center.avon-east.schoolfusion.us/

Learn more about Janette's experience and interests at http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/fluharty.html

Janette has again generously agreed to share her insights and practical ideas about her school library program and any other topics related to school library media.

Blog Interaction with Janette Fluharty - Thurs. Nov. 9 to Sat. Nov. 11, 2006

Janette Fluharty is the final SLMS visiting with the class for this semester's blog series. She is completing her second year as the teacher librarian at Avon Intermediate School East, Avon, IN.

Visit her school's website is at http://www.avon.k12.in.us/AIS-East/home.htm
(Look for the link to media center pages at Special Areas)

Learn more about Janette's experience and interests at http://eduscapes.com/sms/fluharty.html

Janette has a strong background as a classroom teacher. She can share her insights and practical ideas about switching careers, getting started with her own school library program, and any topic related to school library media.

Blog Interaction with Hella Rumschlag - Thurs. Nov. 2 to Sat. Nov. 4, 2006

Hella Rumschlag is in her first year as the media specialist and technology coordinator at Mohawk Trails Elementary School in Carmel, IN.

You can learn more about Hella's professional background at http://eduscapes.com/sms/rumschlag.html.

You might ask Hella about her experiences in this first year as teacher librarian in charge of her own program. Knowing that she worked as a library assistant for several years, you also have an opportunity to ask about her insights and recomendations for supervising paraprofessional staff member positions.

Blog Interaction with Robert Cox - Mon. Oct. 30 to Wed. Nov. 1, 2006

Rob Cox is a media specialist who works at two schools in Fortville, IN. Both are elementary schools, one serving grades K-4 and the other grades 5 and 6.

Learn more about Rob at http://eduscapes.com/sms/robcox.html

You can ask Rob for his candid views about his first few years on-the-job, about his experience working at two schools, or anything related to the school library media profession.

Blog Interaction with Robyn Young - Thurs. Oct. 26 to Sat. Oct. 28, 2006

Robyn Young, director of school media at Avon High School, blogged with last year's class November 14-16, 2005.

Learn more about her at http://eduscapes.com/sms/young.html. Robyn's research project on graphic novels was funded by the American Library Association (http://www.slis.iupui.edu/graphicnovels.htm). Robyn also would be an excellent person to e-talk about library media center newsletters, annual reports, and program assessment.

Feel free to expand discussion about any topic for school library media.

Blog Interaction with Carl Harvey II - Mon Oct. 23 to Wed Oct. 25, 2006

Carl Harvey II, library media specialist at North Elementary School (Noblesville, IN) is another 'blue ribbon' guest and return blogger. You can read last year's interactions at this site: Oct. 24-26, 2005

Carl is a prolific figure in School Library Media, active in the profession in leadership roles at the state and national level, a frequent author of professional articles, and presentor at conferences. He's a co-chair for next year's AASL National Conference in Reno, NV. He is also a frequent mentor to others who are just starting to get active in the professional field.

Learn more about Carl's professional activities and accomplishments at http://eduscapes.com/sms/harvey.html.

Blog Interaction with Catherine Trinkle - Thurs. Oct. 19 to Sat. Oct. 21, 2006

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

Also a returning volunteer participant this year, Catherine is active in the professional field - writing/publishing, presenting, and serving in a number of organizational representative roles. You can find last year's e-converstions with her at this blogsite, October 13-15, 2005.

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

Catherine has integrated new technologies into her SLMS program, coordinated a variety to reading initiatives and promotions, written and received funding from a number of grants, and orchestrated successful fundraising events. Another busy teacher librarian, she is willing to discuss any issues that relate to her work or her insights into the profession.

Blog Interaction with Nancy McGriff - Mon. Oct. 16 to Wed. Oct. 18, 2006

Nancy McGriff is another school library media specialist with a proven "track record." She has headed up school library media programs at all grade levels. At two different schools and in three different school years (1992, 1999 and 2005) her media programs have garnered outstanding awards. She is a strong mentor and leader in the profession and frequently presents at conferences.

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

Recommend that you first visit her blog interactions with last year's students, Sept. 22-24, 2005. She is willing to share her expertise and insights about any facet of school library media programs and her career.

Blog Interaction with John McDonald – Thurs. Oct. 12 to Sat. Oct. 14, 2006

John McDonald is the latest SLMS from Indiana to receive the prestigious "Frances Henne Award" from the American Library Association (ALA, 2005) as the outstanding new school library media specialist of the year. He is also currently serving as President-Elect of the Association for Indiana Media Educators (AIME, 2006).

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

John is another returning blogger for the class. You will find that he is energetic and innovative, willing to try new ideas and ways in his middle school position. Something seems to be working, and John is willing to share his candid insights. If you're looking for conversation/question starters, then John encourages you to read parts of the annual report at his Media Center website. Most of the major initiatives are outlined in that document.

Blog Interaction with Bonnie Grimble – Mon. Oct. 9 to Wed. Oct. 11, 2006

Bonnie Grimble works as the department chair of the Media Center at Carmel High School. Carmel High, grades 9 through 12, has over 4,000 students, more than 150 classroom teachers, ten administrators, near twenty other professional staff, and over 150 other support and service staff members. In her position, Bonnie works closely with three other media specialists and three media managers. Learn more about Bonnie Grimble at http://eduscapes.com/sms/grimble.html

Bonnie is another return participant for these blog interactions. You will find last year's discussions with her here at this blogsite: Oct. 17-19, 2005. Bonnie has a comprehensive range of expertise and experiences gained at both her large-urban high school workplace and her service in the school library media profession. And as usual, try to extend this year's conversations with Bonnie in ways not covered previously.

Blog Interaction with Elizabeth Winningham – Thurs Oct. 5 to Sat. Oct. 7, 2006

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 present work location).

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

Elizabeth is a return participant for these blog interactions. You will find last year's discussions with her here at this blogsite: Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2005. Elizabeth has unique insights into reading and approaches for helping reluctant readers, collaborative planning, information literacy, and experiences in planning and opening a new school media centers. Don't limit disccussion to these topics; Elizabeth has a wealth of career and professional information, ideas, and experience to share. Try to extend this year's conversations in ways not covered previously.

Blog Interaction about School Library Media Health - Nov. 28 to Dec. 2, 2005

Underwood, A. (Oct. 3, 2005). The Good Heart. Newsweek.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9467735

The above article from Newsweek reports on the mounting evidence suggesting that psychological outlook is just as important to health as are diet and exercise.

Now, how might those factors be interpreted in shaping a healthy school library media program? Yes, I know many school media specialists could lose some weight (especially myself) . . . but that is not what I mean.

Think about the health of a school library media center in terms of diet, exercise, and outlook - - the diet of the library (inputs, what is taken in), exercise (activities, what gets done), and outlook (attitudes, climate, and atmosphere). Reflecting on our discussions and the course content of this semester, provide examples that represent a healthy program approach? Share your ideas and how they fit within the healthy school library framework.

Blog Interaction with Dana Hochstedler & Rob Cox – Thurs. Nov. 17 to Sat. Nov. 19, 2005

Dana Hochstedler and Rob Cox are both elementary media specialists in the same school system. This is Rob’s first year.

Learn more about both Dana and Rob at http://eduscapes.com/sms/hochstedler.html

You might start the discussions with Dana on her insights into maximizing a library center budget, her assignment covering two elementary buildings, and also facilities planning (One of her schools opened this year). You might ask Rob for his candid views on the first year on-the-job; his position is also divided between two schools.