First Impressions: Making the Transition from Library Student to Teacher Librarian Alexandra Stevens...

First Impressions:Making the Transition from Library

Student to Teacher Librarian

Alexandra StevensGreenwich High School

Carolyn Shea Westover Elementary

School

Making the Transition from MLS/SMS student to LMS

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Making the Transition from Student to LMS – The Job Search

• Use web sites wisely–CT REAP (www.ctreap.net)

–School Spring (www.schoolspring.com)

–CEA (www.cea.org)

–CT Library Consortium (www.ctlibrarians.org)

– Individual School/Town web sites

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• Go to Job Fairs

–CES

• Fairfield County Professional Educator Recruitment Fair

–SCSU

–Fairfield University

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• Network With Others

–Other School Library Media Specialists – Join CASL (www.ctcasl.com)

–Fellow Classmates

–Friends & Family

• Volunteer at a school library

• Take advantage of internship opportunities

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• Gather necessary materials

–Many towns use AppliTrack for applications

•Most information can be imported from one application to another

–Up-to-date resume

• Consider functional resume if this is a career change

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• Gather necessary materials

–Reference letters (at least three)

–Official transcripts (all college and graduate programs attended)

–Certification (or letter from school indicating certification expected)

–Cover letters

–Essays

–Sample lesson plans

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• Certification – cannot teach without it

–Need official transcripts

–$200 money order, cashier’s check, or certified bank check

–Application paperwork filled out by school

–Cannot expedite but can hand deliver to Connecticut DOE

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• Interviews

–Panels of 5-10 teachers/administrators

–Call-backs

–Have 4-5 key points you want to make

–Review District/school web sites and strategic plan beforehand

–Network with anyone you know who is familiar with that school district

–Find out hiring timeline before you leave

–Follow-up with thank you note

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• Demo Lesson

–May be part of the interview process

–Most times you will be told what to teach

–Be prepared for technology glitches

–Engage students in the lesson

•Ask questions

• Consider pair-and-share/group work

What Summer Vacation??

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What Summer Vacation?

• Visit Media Center to get lay of the land• If possible, meet with existing LMS to review

role–See Questionnaire–Another LMS in the District is the next best

thing• Meet your staff• Attend training

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What Summer Vacation?

• Read contract and sign-up for benefits

• Review school policies (e.g., AUP, Selection Policy, Student Hand Book, Program of Study)

• Review budget

• Set up Media Center

–Cleaning, signage, moving books, decorating

• Review curriculum and start planning

Connecting with Students

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• Smile and have positive attitude

• Learn student names and interests

• Respect students and actively listen

• Say “hello” in the halls and engage in conversation

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• Plan fun events

–Book fairs

–Student clubs (book clubs, mixed media clubs, anime clubs, etc.)

–Author visits

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• Attend school functions and fundraisers

–Sporting events

–Plays

–Musical events

–PTO/PTA meetings

–Fundraisers

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• Observe your students and provide needed instruction

• Talk to other teachers (e.g., special education teachers) who know the students

–They can explain their abilities and where accommodations and modifications are needed

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• Be a role model for life-long learning

–Telling students stories can help

–Explain how you have dealt with particular issues

–Talk to students about the books, magazines, and newspaper articles you are reading; places you have visited – make a connection

Collaborating with Teachers

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Collaboration With Teachers (AS)

• Provide teachers with resources and information

relevant to their subject matter and their professional development

• E-mail a monthly Media Center Newsletter to all faculty

• Prepare brief, informative presentations for teachers and present them at faculty / department meetings

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Collaboration With Teachers (AS)

• Grow collaboration organically – reach out to individual teachers and encourage them to pass on the benefits of collaborating with the LMS

• Provide teacher training sessions (SmartBoard, Google Docs, Discovery Education, databases, resources for differentiation, etc.)

• Start a faculty book club

• Eat lunch with teachers

Media Center Management Tips

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• Have class rules

–No more than 5

–The last one should be listen and follow directions

• Explain class rules and discipline plan in first class – try to find positive ways to phrase rules

• Reinforce often, as necessary

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• Discipline plan for violations of class rules

–Follow through and never threaten if you don’t intend to act

–Students need to know what to expect from you, so be consistent

• Praising good behavior is often more effective

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• Sample rules for Elementary School:

–Raise hand before speaking

–Walk and use inside voices

–Be polite and respectful at all times

–Treat Media Center, books, and computers like friends

–Listen and follow directions

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• Discipline plan for violations of class rules

–Sample Elementary (1st stage): Verbal reminder; verbal warning; change seat; removal from class activity with assignment

–Sample Elementary (2nd stage): Teacher’s choice of talking to classroom teacher, calling home, or sending to Principal

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• Sample rules for Middle School and

High School Media Center / class:

–Raise hand before speaking while Media Specialist is teaching

–No food in the Media Center

–Don’t talk on cell phones in the Media Center

–The Media Center is for academic work only

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• Discipline plan for violations of rules

–Sample High School (1st stage): Verbal warning or change seat; removal from Media Center or class

–Sample High School (2nd stage): Removal from Media Center / classroom; escorting to Assistant Principal and/or calling parents

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• I do, we do, you do (all levels)

– I model at the SMART Board

–We do together (call up to SMART Board)

–The student does alone; LMS walks around class and works with individual students

• SMART Board keeps students engaged and helps with classroom management

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• Repeat directions more than once during lesson

–Make as concise as possible (few words)

• Test for understanding

–Make students repeat

• When possible, write directions down and hand out after lesson during “you do” phase

Connecting with the Community

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Making Connections With Parents

• Make 1 to 2 presentations at PTO / PTA meetings each school year about literacy and the Media Center

• Organize parent volunteers to help reshelve books and prepare new books for the shelves (stamping, covering, etc.)

• Bring in parents who work in literary fields to talk to students about their careers

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Making Connections With The Town Library

• Connect with the public library about the summer reading program and how you can support it

• Let public library know about your school’s summer reading program and how they can support it

• Reach out to the YA/Children’s librarians and get to know them

• Make the public librarians aware of big school projects

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Making Connections With The Town Library

• Look for opportunities for joint projects

• Promote the public library within your school

• Encourage students and faculty to make use of the public library not just for materials use but also letting them know about special events being held at the public library

Good Luck!!

First Impressions: Making the Transition from Library Student to Teacher Librarian Alexandra Stevens...

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