https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022 We're halfway done in terms of our official time together. Let's reflect. Please share your biggest learning take-aways so far this semester. Feel free to include links/media if they are relevant. en-us 2021-11-24 02:11:32 UTC 2022-03-18 17:38:33 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4a1.png sag330 https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022/wish/2086242136 I think the biggest Aha that I have is that it takes time. Building relationships takes time, figuring out who you are instruction wise takes time, but it all can be helped with a little bit of planning and compassion to both ourselves and others. Another one of my Ahas is to be a resource to students, to teachers, to staff. Find out what they need and be that person that makes their day better. I also think that the importance of making others see that librarians are more than just providers of books. We can be collaborators, support systems, innovators, and fun makers! Don't limit yourself, but also don't take on too much that you begin to lose yourself in the name of serving others.]]> 2022-03-09 14:55:29 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022/wish/2086242136 https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022/wish/2090780305 My biggest takeaway so far from the semester would be on the topic of collaboration. It isn’t something I’m seeing very often modeled in my field experience, so I appreciate all the resources, readings, viewings, and discussions that include collaborative efforts, and how those can be best applied in a school. This experience has really helped me to step out of my shell and step into my role as an educator, and I’m incredibly excited for all the opportunities and possibility this holds! Being in a school that has 1:1 iPads has really shown me just how much I can integrate engaging technologies into the library space, as well as into collaborative ventures with colleagues (hello, HyperDocs)! Knowing to put an emphasis on creating and maintaining connections with both colleagues and students has been an invaluable lesson to learn in this program. Creating lasting professional relationships and meaningful connections with students is really, I think, at the backbone of being a successful educator! ]]> 2022-03-11 16:52:38 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022/wish/2090780305 https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022/wish/2093725391 My biggest cognitive pea (to use one of Professor LaGarde's terminologies) is that Librarians wear a lot of hats and do a lot of jobs. While a lot of people assume that librarians "just get to be surrounded by books and read all day", we are, in reality, not just surrounded by the books but wreathed  in all of the resources that comprise our tools for satisfying information needs. Recently, I've been really coming to understand the idea of "a constellation of skills" (an idea/phrase that my advisor in college presented to me) in the context of librarianship. You are not just an expert on your collection and the resources available through your library, you are a liaison to the methods of accessing information beyond your physical and digital spaces (free online resources, museums, databases, apps and other digital information platforms, etc.). In addition to that you are an educator and a collaborator with educators and students alike. You determine what resources remain in your collection and what is added, but it is important to be reflective in that process, reflecting on your own opinions and biases as well as considering those of others. You have to be a lifelong learner, a reader, and a critical thinker (which, to be fair are qualities of all academics) but you also have the opportunity to model that for people, especially young people, who see you as a source of guidance and information. You have an opportunity to lead the charge in integration and ethical use of technology and the expertise to spearhead research efforts and help your students think deeply and actively about the information with which they are presented (in resources that have been vetted and reviewed for veracity by professionals and those that have not). 

On top of all of this, you should, in my opinion be patient, kind, approachable, curious, joyful, open-minded, efficient, thoughtful, and understanding and accepting of different learning styles/reading preferences/teaching styles/classroom management styles while being true to your own and finding ways to work and support your colleagues and students alike. The tone of the library space begins with the librarian but it should, in its best iteration, ultimately be a space shaped, invigorated, and contributed to by members of the community it serves. As the people who not only set the tone but have the responsibility to engage others in this space that can be so much for so many people, we have a lot on our plates but that also means we have a lot of opportunities to feel fulfilled and proud of what we do, a lot of opportunities to make mistakes, and even more opportunities to learn, grow, and share our knowledge with others. ]]> 2022-03-14 12:32:04 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022/wish/2093725391 https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022/wish/2096368905 The biggest "aha" I've gotten from the readings is that not all media centers are alike in terms of how the space is used. Likewise, not all media centers are alike in that they all have different operating schedules. While some, like my FE Library, have a fixed schedule that involves the FE Librarian teaching classes, others have flexible or hybrid schedules. This leads me to believe that we can do our best to prepare for our first school librarian job by staying informed on different practices and technologies, but can't guarantee that the library and school environment will match our expectations.
I've also realized that there's so much work to do if we're actually to fully bring libraries/media centers to the 21st century. As far as I know, most school libraries in my area do not have any exciting features like maker spaces and morning breakfast bars. It takes time to establish yourself as an important figure and resource for educators and students like as well, especially when you're a new librarian. I especially appreciated the contents of the Week 1 Playlist, like "A Digital Librarian's Survival Toolkit," as well as the Week 3 readings. I also appreciate the number of material we've been provided about collaborating, co-teaching, and connecting with teachers to form partnerships, since this is definitely a part of the job that gives me feelings of anxiety and uncertainty sometimes.]]> 2022-03-15 16:37:43 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/MidSemester57Spring2022/wish/2096368905