Dear Sonja

As my Tuesday SOL writing, I'm writing a letter to myself regarding the good, the bad, and the ugly of this year as suggested by Todd Nesloney in his Educator Learning Series.


Dear Sonja,

Hey there, chickadee!  We've sure come a long way this year, haven't we?  Do you remember this time last year when you had just learned you got the high school librarian job?  How utterly thrilled yet anxious you felt about your ability to be awesome in this new setting?  Yeah, aren't you glad it has all worked out better than you ever expected?

Not that it has been all roses, for sure.  I mean, there was the adjustment period when the newly retired librarian told you that you made her cry because you made some changes.  Yeah, um...that was a bit awkward.  She also mentioned that you were very creative and intelligent (like her sister who often forgets where she has placed her shoes).  Okay, so there have been a few awkward moments as you both settled into your new roles.  In the end, it all worked out okay, didn't it?

Working with high school kids has been the BEST time in your life, though....you realize that, right? I mean--I know you loved teaching kindergarten...and then 5th grade was a great time, too. And yes, all those years in middle school were fun, but high school--ah, high school--this is where you BELONG, sister.  You love those kids, you know--and they love you right back.  Remember when George copied your face and plastered it all over the library--and kids were even walking around school WEARING your face???  We'll never forget that, will we?  We laughed and laughed all day.  I still giggle just thinking about it.

Seeing all those kids you had in middle school--on the cusp of leaping out of the nest and flying off into their amazing futures? Priceless.  You've had such fun meeting new kids, too.

You've had a ball living in the chaotic state of procrastination and drama in which most high schoolers dwell.
"Hey Miss--can you help me print this in color?  It's due next period. You got glue? Tape? Scissors? Colored paper?"
"Can you read over my paper and tell me if it sounds okay?"
"Um...what exactly IS MLA format and how do you do it?"
"My computer hates me.  What do I do?"
"Can you recommend some good books for me?  My friend says your pretty good at it."
"I wrote something.  It is about my life. I want you to read it."
"I love him. I hate him. He stinks. I love him."
"She's beautiful. She loves him. I love her. Love stinks."

I'm really proud of  you for adjusting so well to life up there, actually.  You and your assistant seem to have a great time working together---and Tiara Tuesdays were a genius idea.  Now that y'all know each other you can better know how to be an encourager to her.

Over the summer I hope you'll take some time to consider a few specific changes.  One, you really need to do something about reorganizing your office space to have a better workflow for you when processing books.  Two, you really need to adjust the way you train your student library aides. Remember to train them in a way that encourages and rewards a strong work ethic. Three, work on specific ways to collaborate with teachers in order to best help them.

You are gonna feel SO good when your genre-fying project is complete!  Keep on keeping on, sister. The effort you put forth now and into the summer will be so worth it in the long run. Oh, and please DO the Read-a-Thon again--even if it isn't a national thing next year.  Everyone had fun with that and you got to spend an entire Saturday morning reading a great book.  And your videos?  They are getting better.  Keep going on those, too.  Don't be afraid of being seen as a fool--you are human. When you aren't scared to put yourself out there, kids sense that and it helps them to be brave, too.

Eat more salads, but bring more baked goods to share.  When it doubt always purchase more of the good coffee.  Remember to smile at the kids who make it hard to smile--they need it the most. I'm proud of you.

Love,
Sonja

How do I #LoveTeaching?...Let me count the ways

This week's challenge for Todd Nesloney's Educator Learning Series (#EduLS) is to think about why you love teaching and post it via blogs and other social media platforms.  Amidst all the negative we hear about teaching in today's world, the plan is to add some positivity to the conversation---because the truth is, those of us who stay in education truly DO love it, or we wouldn't be here.

I've said it and said it---but it is true---I am one of the luckiest folks I know because

I truly LOVE my job. 

I always wanted to be a teacher, and I taught in the classroom for 9 of my now 24 in education. My classroom just got bigger when I became a librarian, and now I consider all the students in the school "mine."

• As a school librarian, I get to laugh a lot.  Kids are hilarious, aren't they? They just seriously crack me up.  Teenagers are super-fun beings and I get to work with them every day.
• Hello, my name is Sonja and I am addicted to books.  I am a book pusher as much as I am a book consumer---and I have a constant stream of students, teachers, & other librarians into whose hands & hearts I get to push awesome reads!
• I have just enough structure in my work day to make me feel cozy without it ever becoming humdrum.  Within a few set parameters, there is just NO TELLING what kinds of adventure each day will bring.
• Opportunities to really make a difference in the lives of others.  
• My students keep me young.  I see in them that beautiful effervescence of youth, and hope I can retain mine longer for recognizing it living within them. 
• My students push me to excellence.  It is for THEM that I strive to be better every day than the day before in my work. It is for THEM that I want to learn more, be more, grow more.  I want to reach them in meaningful ways and provide the education & mentoring they need.

I could go on and on with stories and photos and other lovelies about my gig---and I will--- every day this week on Twitter, Instgram, and Facebook as I continue to participate in this awesome challenge!

Sonja

Reflection

Being at home with a sick kiddo, while not my idea of a fun time, does at least give me some good time for reflection.

I let January slip past me with no new blog posting, but it is lovely February and I'm back!

I have now been a high school librarian for a semester.  I have loved every minute of my new gig--and have learned (and am still learning) a lot.

Some ways the HS library is different than my MS library:

• way more schedules going on (and I thought 3 was difficult!) We have Early College High School, 9th graders on a block schedule and upper grades on a "regular" schedule, students with no classes for some periods of the day, late start Wednesday, etc. 
• much more emphasis on research (not a surprise, clearly---but we certainly are not preparing them adequately in MS --and I blame high-stakes testing pressure)
• less Wimpy Kid, more Stephen King
• something is ALWAYS going on in "my" space that isn't of my doing---meetings/after hours college classes/Saturday school/after school tutorials
• taller kids with more facial hair!  ;)

So I am learning and adapting and growing right along with my students, as is only right. Speaking of right, here are some things I think are on point:

• a warm, cozy atmosphere. We have couches and checkers and chess and lamps going on.  Not completely done, of course---it will always be evolving---but moving in the right direction.
• our circulation has more than doubled each month from last year's stats.  Not that circ stats are the only thing, but I do like the upward momentum.
• fun fine forgiveness opportunities---a canned food drive in Nov/Dec and now a write-a-teacher-a-note-of-appreciation for the month of February. 
• we were an official location for the National Readathon Day and had a good turnout, raising over $300 (we partnered with the National English Honor Society for this event)
• making a sort-of weekly video---called Dragons in the Stacks about library happenings shown to during Advisory classes
• giving some techie tips workshops for teachers
• building a connected library via social media

(and just for fun let me add I've been told I am both magical & "on fleek" this year!)

And for some balance, here are some areas I'm actively growing in:

• out-of-the box ways of better serving my students & teachers--I will begin a "mobile library" of sorts to hopefully get more books in the hands of my kids (and I thank my friend & super librarian friend Michelle Cooper for the idea)
• having helpful info on checking out ebooks, research, etc. EASILY accessible by the masses
• genrefying my fiction collection (did it at my MS, but only beginning the process at the HS)
• interactiveness 

Reflection + Action = Growth

:)