Helen Adams is currently teaching online courses for Mansfield University's (PA) School Library and Information Technologies program. Formerly Helen was a school librarian and technology coordinator in Wisconsin.
Helen is an advocate for school libraries and teacher librarians; a strong leader who is active at state, regional, and national levels. She is a frequent conference presenter and has authored a number of articles and textbooks on technology planning, Internet search tools, library automation, school library policy development, and privacy. Her latest book Ensuring Intellectual Freedom and Access to Information in the School Library was released last month by Libraries Unlimited http://lu.com/showbook.cfm?isbn=9781591585398.
Her professional interests focus mainly on issues and ideas related to intellectual freedom, privacy in school library media programs, and Internet filtering. Learn more about Helen Adams at http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/adams.html.
Robin Tanis is the Head Librarian at St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta, GA. At St. Pius, Robin has established a collaborative partnership with the school’s classroom teachers. She was an early pioneer in technology integration bringing computers, automation, and the Internet into the library and then the rest of the school. Robin was the original Webmaster for the school (http://www.spx.org/) and is still responsible for keeping the Flannery O’Connor Library Web site current (http://www.spx.org/library).
Encouraging pleasure reading is a professional interest of Robin’s. Robin is known for ASPIRE! - - a Summer Reading Enrichment program. She has presented her program at state and national conferences. ASPIRE! was featured in both Knowledge Quest (Sep/Oct 2003, Access to PDF document requires login) and School Library Journal (Jan. 2004). Last year she began a Teen Library Council to give interested students leadership opportunities in the library. She also moderates the Anime Club.
Learn more about Robin at http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/tanis.html.
Not all school media specialists and teacher librarians work in public schools. Liz Gray is the Library Director at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA.
Liz Gray's varied work experiences include serving as a School Library Director in Rome, Italy as well as stints in both a public library and an academic library. She is a former English teacher who has taught in Switzerland and England. You can find additional information about Liz at the following website: http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/lizgray.html
Liz consults on library space planning and has taught "Planning Libraries for the 21st Century" and "Good Ideas: Successful Library Programming and Instruction" at the Taft Education Center in Watertown, CT.
Leslie Preddy is the library media specialist at Perry Meridian Middle School, Indianapolis. Leslie is another Indiana and national leader in the school library field. She is an author, presenter, and 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/
Here is another occasion to discuss real issues, concerns, and experiences with a library media professional.
This year we are fortunate to have as another of our virtual guests, Carl Harvey II, library media specialist at North Elementary School (Noblesville, IN).
Carl holds leadership roles at the state and national level, has written several journal articles, authored two books, and is a frequent presenter at professional conferences. He is the current President of the Indiana Library Federation. Carl is a "go-to" person who often assists and mentors others who are becoming active in the professional field.
Learn more about Carl's professional activities and accomplishments at http://eduscapes.com/sms/overview/harvey.html
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Helen Adams is currently teaching online courses for Mansfield University's (PA) School Library and Information Technologies program. Formerly Helen was a school librarian and technology coordinator in Wisconsin.
