Library Dreaming DAY 23 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

If you had told me a few years ago that I wanted to be a librarian, I would have told you you were crazy. I had no idea! I didn't know how passionate I was about books. I didn't know how much I truly believed in all things literacy. I didn't know libraries would become the hub of technology and the maker movement. I didn't know how exciting the idea of being part of that world would sound to me. I didn't know.

Ironically, I frequented my public library as a kid. I loved the summer reading program each year. I enjoyed weekly visits to the school library in elementary school. In middle school & early high school, the library was my safe haven, my happy place. I went there during lunch. I worked there in my spare time. 

Maybe I lost touch with the idea in college. For those 4 years, I hated the library. I couldn't study there; couldn't focus. It wasn't a comfortable spot for me. I certainly didn't feel "at home"- quite the opposite. Maybe that's when I forgot how important libraries had been to me in my younger years.

In the school district I work in, teacher-librarians have never been a key position. When I started teaching in the district, we had them...but they were only on site every so often. They were more like a visitor on campus. Then, as budget cuts came, their positions were cut. I didn't really see much issue in it, as they weren't playing a vital role in the schools I was in. 

That is sad to me now! 

As I've rediscovered the reader & writer within me, as I've built up by PLN on twitter & connected with so many teacher librarians, as I've thought about what a robust position & library COULD look like...I've realized THAT would be my happy place. That is what I wish I could do. But we didn't have the positions.

They are actually re-instituting Teacher-Librarians in our district next year. But I'm not sure what it will look like. There are 4 positions posted...we have 17 elementary schools! Doing the math, that doesn't seem like much time at a site...time to build a program, build relationships, build the library as the hub of learning in the school. I'm also not qualified! 

So, I'll begin looking at credential programs. And I'll keep dreaming of what I believe a position should look like. We'll see what lies ahead...only time will tell! For now, I'll be Library Dreaming!

SPRING BREAK TBR DAY 18 OF THE MARCH SOLSC #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Tonight begins our Spring Break, so I asked my son what his Spring Break reading plans were. His initial response was, "Nothing."

Heartbreaking! I clearly was not going to accept that! So, I continued on...

I quickly found out that he had left his current read in his desk at school to be unearthed when he returns in a week and a half. UGH!

Okay, take 3! What books would you like to read over break? I began to list some of the many options available to him within arms reach. 

Pretty quickly he chose 3 books, and followed with, "After that I'll decide what to read next if I finish all of those!" Wow! This was taking a positive turn.

Then he asked if his stack was "okay"? He wanted MY approval for his choices?! I quickly explained to him that it didn't matter to me!! My only criteria were that they were books HE wanted to read, that HE was interested in, and that HE chose.

When we went out a little later to run some errands & get some dinner, he was disappointed that I wouldn't let him bring a device, but I told him he could bring a book. He has been reading all night- even asking to bring the book into the restaurant. He's on page 47...and still reading!

YAY for reading plans & reading choice!

Read Across America- DAY 2 OF THE MARCH SOLSC! #SOL16

I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16) 

hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life". 

Please feel free to stop back and check out my other posts here.

Today was Read Across America day. My former school was having guest readers come and read to the elementary students, and I was asked if I'd like to read.

Really?! Would I like to read?! Do these people know who they are talking to?! If I could I would read and talk about books ALL DAY LONG!! I'm the one who rediscovered my reading love over the past few years. The self proclaimed "book nerd". The one who has a not so secret dream of becoming a teacher-librarian (if only our schools had those!!). The one who NEVER SHUTS UP about books!!

So, I said, "Sure, if you need me." =)

So, I was at the school this morning, armed with a selection of some of my favorite books. Ready to talk, share, and read with any kids willing to listen.

I was reading in first grade...no, transitional kindergarten...no, first grade...no, go to TK.
Okay...so off I went to the TK class. 5 year old excited readers!! And...MY DAUGHTER'S CLASS!!

She was so surprised to see me, and so happy to see that I brought some of her favorites.

I shared two Emily Arrow videos and read Be A Friend by Salina Yoon. It was great. The kids loved it, and told me I "rock"! They clapped and thanked me for coming.

I read to my daughter all the time, but I do miss the joy of sharing books with a classroom of kids. It was wonderful! If only it could happen every day...