RU 575: What have you learned? (Spring 2019) by Joyce Valenza https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19 In this end-of-semester reflection, please share your biggest takeaways. What have you learned that will continue to resonate? en-us 2018-12-16 17:51:38 UTC 2025-11-16 02:36:34 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.storage.googleapis.com/portrait/sticky.jpg Sylvia D https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/357720445 One of the most valuable things that I have learned in this course is the importance of outreach and collaboration. What I have come to know is that an educator will not make the first step and invite you into their classrooms. You must encourage collaboration by making resources available, providing technological instruction, and offering in class assistance in areas teachers are not strong. 

 

 What was surprising to me was that many individuals are not aware of how important the media center is. Bringing awareness and making your role known to educator, students and administrators is essential. Reaching out and making your role and what you have accomplished is necessary in our field.  

]]> 2019-05-07 16:45:37 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/357720445 Christina C. https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/357813026 I learned the importance of being a librarian who reaches out to the rest of the school and community. 

Collaboration and creating a culture of information literacy are two things that I will be focusing on once I get settled in a new school library. 

Staying in the know with standards, frameworks and the crosswalks is also a long-time goal of mine and something that will continue to resonate over the years as a school librarian. 

I was surprised to see how little collection development played a role in the day to day happenings at my F.E.. Creating a print and various digital collections of resources is something I see much value in. I will always make sure I have many resources and connections to learn from in regards to collection development (in my PLN and otherwise). ]]> 2019-05-07 20:06:41 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/357813026 Alexandra H. alh232 https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358249366 One of the most valuable things I've learned is this course is the importance of collaboration!! I think a lot of us didn't realize just how important it is to collaborate with the teachers and the community until this course; I definitely hadn't given it a whole lot of thought!

I also learned so much about innovation and used that in the real world. I thought about how to make my FE school's new makerspace fun, innovative, and interesting, and put that into making it the best it can be.

I'm sure there will be so many more opportunities to put what I learned into the real world in the future!]]> 2019-05-08 21:08:39 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358249366 Susan B. https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358266168 Learning how to write an action plan, and all the components of it, was extremely valuable for me. Learning how to write mission and vision statements, as well as goal writing was great practice. These are skills I will be utilizing now in my current position. One huge takeaway that was powerful for me was the idea of evidence. I dove deeper into creating an annual report this semester and a big piece of that is the evidence collected throughout the year. I have already seen in my position that this is critical to do and I have already missed some opportunities to collect evidence! I have learned from this! This is something that I will definitely practice as I continue in my career. 
For me what was surprising was that even information I “already knew” took on new meaning in the context of my FE. Learning theory is necessary, it provides a great foundation. But there is no replacing hands-on experience. This is when you really being to understand the real-world application of what we learn in this program. This answers #3 as well. It is in this way that I feel the course prepared me well for the real world.
I would advise students entering 575 to connect, reach out, and ask questions! Take advantage of the Hang Outs each week and don’t be afraid to ask these wonderful experts questions. Ask your FE mentors questions, too. This is the perfect time to build relationships with each other so that when you do secure a school library position, you have plenty of support and people to ask for guidance. 

]]> 2019-05-08 22:31:25 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358266168 Amy L. all166 https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358288761 I'm not sure if I'll get the job, but in preparing for an interview I had, I was researching the school and came across their strategic plan for the next 3-5 years. The goals and objective statements were exactly what we practiced. I was able to see how our assignments look in the real world, and felt comfortable knowing that my work was consistent with others.  In the interview itself, they discussed how they were planning to completely renovate the library, so having thought about redesign and knowing the vocabulary to discuss it was important. I was able to discuss my vision for what "my perfect" library would look like, because we'd gone through those processes already! 

]]> 2019-05-09 00:40:01 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358288761 Kathryn B. https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358531029 This course has shown me a lot about my own teaching style. I am able to look at my own teaching style and find ways to improved my skills and work on other new things. I learned a lot about how to start collaboration which I am excited to begin next year. I am excited to use the things I have learned about the standards and work them in more. I printed everything and saved as much as a I could for the future so I have so many resources to use in the future. I was surprised at how much I didn't know or put together even though I have been teaching for 3 years. ]]> 2019-05-09 15:29:46 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358531029 Jill B. jmb832 https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358536476 One of the most valuable things I learned in this course is the importance of self-advocating and collaboration.  Your importance in the school is entirely up to you, as no one will advocate for you if you don’t make the effort.  One of the best ways to do this is to collaborate with teachers and administration.
This course has been instrumental in pushing me into the mindset of a professional.  The application of the things we discussed in class really opened my eyes, because without practice, everything is just theory.
]]> 2019-05-09 15:39:20 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358536476 Kathleen B. kathleenbarker93 https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358647596 One of the most valuable things I learned this semester was how to apply the AASL standards to my real world practice. The standards were a little overwhelming at first, but now I feel like I can walk into any interview (or job) and connect the standards to what students are already doing (or will be doing in my library!). 

I also appreciated the opportunity to complete a needs assessment and action plan.  Those activities helped me craft some "dream" goals and ponder how to accomplish them. It also forced me to recognize the challenges within my school and community and think critically if / how I might overcome them. 

I would tell my fellow students next semester to think about evidence and assessment from the very beginning. How will I document my work? How and when will I reflect on my practice? It's never too early!]]> 2019-05-09 19:32:50 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/358647596 Mary Kate P. https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/359061892 I learned more about the AASL and ISTE standards and how to write lessons that address them. I also feel like I understand how I can hit several of them in one unit. I also learned how to use even more tech tools which is great.
Something that surprised me was that we all seemed to have similar issues in our Field Experiences. I was glad we could all talk about the lack of collaboration and I also thought that we gave a lot of peer feedback in this class. Someone was always offering me advice related to an issue I was having, or feedback on a project. It was great that we could all share our experiences and questions.
I feel like this course really brought everything from every other course together and now I feel a lot more prepared for interviews and my first SLMS position.

]]> 2019-05-11 01:12:11 UTC https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/359061892 Christina B. cgbozz https://padlet.com/joycevalenza/FinalSpring19/wish/359157095 One of the most valuable things I learned and that will resonate with me is the need for teacher-librarian collaboration. One of the most surprising things I learned, is the lack of teacher-librarian collaboration for many of us in our FE. 
I also saw first-hand that librarians are emerging as technology leaders in schools. During my FE, I was asked multiple times about technologies that I was learning in my coursework that could be applied to lessons and for recommendations for integrating technology tools in teaching. 
I definitely see the value in a needs assessment and found that I need polish and practice on my board presentation skills.
This course, in conjunction with the FE, really put me in the mindset of a school librarian and the challenges I may face.
I would recommend to incoming students to ask questions during the FE, not just to the SLMS but other educators, administrators, and faculty members.


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