Paying It Forward: The Power of a PLN

Paying It Forward: The Power of a PLN

Do you have a professional learning network of educators you can call on for advice, resources and inspiration? Everyone deserves a PLN as amazing as the one I have been fortunate enough to build. My network includes librarians, teachers, tech experts, principals, authors, and many virtual colleagues. They motivate me on a daily basis and challenge me to be a better person--not just for me, but for the students. As a librarian, I sometimes feel isolated. Since I became a connected educator, I know guidance, support, and collaboration are only a click a way.  Educators across the nation share many of the same challenges, concerns and goals.  Our greatest resource is each other.
Please meet a few of my PLN:

Sharon Gullett has been my teacher, mentor and friend for more years than I can remember. When I was just a shy quiet librarian student, she saw potential in me. Potential I did not see in myself at the time. She pushed me out of my comfort zone over and over again because she knew I would rise to the challenge. Today I speak at conferences, lead professional development, and view everyday as a learning opportunity because of Sharon's influence. I cannot ever repay her, but I can pay it forward to the students, teachers and administrators I come into contact with daily.

Scott Floyd is a true change agent and visionary. He works tirelessly to create an environment whereby students and teachers have the technology resources, freedom and leadership to achieve their goals. He inspires me to make a difference and always be forward thinking.

Nikki Robertson is a rock star librarian and friend. She creates innovative library programs and is a leader among school librarians.  One tweet to Nikki, and we have a whole new adventure-TL News Night. We hold a monthly newscast featuring school library news and in depth discussions with a panel of school library leaders.  The all-star panel includes Elissa Malespina, Sue Levine, Tamara Cox and Shannon Miller. I am honored to be a member of TL News Night Crew.

Terry Everitt is my principal, but he is also a man of character our students and teachers admire and respect.  His motto is, "Make Everyday Count." What a simple but powerful statement.  Our students need us every single day. They need us to genuinely care, provide guidance, and be dependable role models. We never know the day our students may need us the most. Can they count on you?

If you have not taken the time to build a personal learning network, now is the time. Join a network of connected educators! As Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

Vampires vs. Werewolves vs. Immortals

Fictional Book Character Smackdown

What better time to start a Vampires vs. Werewolves vs. Immortals Book Character Smackdown than October?  My students have worked hard to create brackets for our most popular characters similar to March Madness. 

The students began voting today for their favorite characters using a Google form.  Each week we will announce the winners and get closer to crowning our ultimate victor. We had numerous requests to put Edward and Jacob from Twilight on opposite sides of the bracket. Many of our students are hoping for an Edward and Jacob showdown! Girls and guys both are busy predicting who will win the first round and attempting to persuade their classmates' choices. May the best vampire, werewolf, or immortal win! Stay posted for the results on Halloween.

TL News Night

TL News Night

A few weeks ago my long time mentor and friend, Sharon Gullett, expressed that she would like to see me create a video podcast for school librarians. What a great idea!  I knew just who to call.  My talented friend, Nikki Robertson, would be the perfect person to help start this new adventure. In a few days we had a title and direction for the show, an awesome team of librarians, and guests for the first broadcast.  This little dream had become a reality-FAST. 

Monday night was the inaugural broadcast.  We welcomed guests from the New York Association of School Librarians.  Hearing their story of cutbacks, lost positions, and massive budget cuts rang all too true. Librarians across our great nation are losing their place in our libraries. Now is the time for us to become leaders in our libraries, schools and communities. I admire school librarians because I know the love and dedication we have for our students. We do make a difference!

Our next broadcast is October 21, 2013. Please join us as we highlight the Texas Library Association and discuss librarians as leaders in our changing world.

Cool Tech Tool: Blendspace

Blendspace

You may have previously heard of Edcanvas. Now it has a new name Blendspace.  This cool tech tool allows you to add content from YouTube, Google, Vimeo, Dropbox, GoogleDocs, files from your computer, and much more onto one page with one link to share.  Teachers can create easy to access lessons and tutorials for their students. Quizzes and documents can be added seamlessly.  Teachers can create classes in Blendspace and have their students create accounts.  Those students can then be added to the correct class. Once finished creating the lesson, you can play it, and share it with others. Blendspace lessons can be shared on Edmodo, Facebook, email, embed code, QR code, or you can share the link with anyone.  A searchable gallery of lessons is also available on Blendspace. If the author allows, you can copy the lesson and edit it. Play the video above for a quick tutorial. Create something awesome!

If you give a student...

     

     I have always loved the book series If You Give a Mouse a Cookie written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond.  Once my son came along, it warmed my heart to see him fall in love with this book series too. His personal favorite is If You Give a Moose a Muffin. Reflecting on the magic of these books, helped me realize the whole journey begins with If.  What a magical word.  Anything is possible with If.
     Students walk through our doors everyday ready for If.  What if this is the day I succeed,  create a masterpiece, go on a real life adventure, or learn something wonderful?  What could our young people accomplish if we, as educators, gave them...RESPECT, SUPPORT, HONESTY, FREEDOM,  and SAFETY . What Ifs could they dream and accomplish?
     I always want my students to know I value them, and they have great worth in my book. Above all, they matter to me.   Respect is an amazing trait to model for young people.  If you respect them consistently, they reciprocate, and they pass that gift along to their friends and family.
     Students arrive at our school every morning. Some are ready for a new day, and some are not.  Our students have diverse backgrounds, and no one student's circumstances are the same as another.  What I can give is my unwavering support. I am never too busy that I cannot stop and help a student.  Support can come in many forms.  As a classroom teacher I sent postcards to students' parents.  I would describe something great their child accomplished in class, a good deed the student performed, or how much I enjoyed teaching that young person.  I never really thought twice about it. I just sent them out and forgot about them.  Years later, a student came up  to me and thanked me. The student said his family still had that postcard hanging on the wall of their house. Wow! Now that student is all grown up and works in my school district. It is his turn to pay it forward.
     One of the best gifts educators can give and receive is the opportunity to get connected with students. Our young people are amazingly talented, humorous, creative, and gifted with no preconceived notions about what can be accomplished in life. Students want educators to be 'real' with them. They want our honesty. Students deal with tough issues in this day and time. I hope all my students know they can come to me when they are in need. I cannot always help them myself, but I can always get them help.  School counselors are an amazing resource, and they are trained to deal with tough issues.  When students know you truly care, they will share their accomplishments, disappointments, goals, and dreams.
     When possible, I always allow students to make their own choices about learning.  Who does not like freedom? Students will take ownership and invest in the learning process when they feel empowered. Student choice also creates a more authentic learning environment.  Students learn in many ways, and I admire those who respect that fact. Not everyone learns like me, and I never want to force my learning style on others.
     As I focus on giving young people respect, support, honesty and freedom, I remind myself that student safety is paramount. If I do not provide a safe and secure environment, then no learning takes place. Safety is a basic necessity and must be established first.  Once students know they are secure, respected, and supported, our young people can begin to dream. As I start a new week,  I am focusing on a small, magical word...If 

If you give a student RESPECT, SUPPORT, HONESTY, FREEDOM, AND SAFETY, they will rise, and rise, and rise.....How far?  As far as he or she chooses.  

Ready to Collaborate? Join the AASL Conference Ning!

 ning.aasl.org

As school librarians, one of our greatest resources is our ability to collaborate with fellow professionals in our field.   The American Association of School Librarians is helping to facilitate collaboration by asking all school librarians to join the AASL Conference Ning.  Even if you are unable to attend the AASL Conference, join the Ning to share ideas, resources, and develop professional relationships with fellow librarians.  As Helen Keller once stated, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Please take a few minutes to visit the AASL Ning and join today! http://ning.aasl.org/

#TXLchat is Back!

Welcome back to a great new school year!  The new season of #TXLchat starts at 8:00 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday, September 10, 2014.  We will discuss back to school ideas, resources and more.  #TXLchat is expanding to an hour long chat this year on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.  We have an expert group of librarians serving as moderators who are professionals in the field of library science.  

                                               Sharon Gullett      @sharongullett

                                               Marsha Edney      @EdneyLib

                                               Naomi Bates        @yabooksandmore

                                               Sue Fitzgerald      @sue_fitz

                                               Sandra Carswell   @ sandracarswell

                                               Sonja Schulz        @sonjaschulz

                                               Michelle Cooper   @_michellecooper

Join us for library resources, great ideas, special guests, and more to help you and your library this year!