Congrats!
Maureen, MaryEllen, and Val all gave great advice. And to say that over the last 14 years, I’ve developed relationships with all three of these exemplary educators is testimony to the powerful influence of being active in CASL.
So my two cents: 1. Stay connected to CASL. We all support each other.
2. Keep balance in your life: while we are passionate about this field and consider it a vocation, balance is healthy and actually makes you more effective in your teaching practice.
3. Observe and listen this first year…really get to understand the school culture, goals, curriculum, learn who the influencers are, get to know your collection, enjoy the students and learn what makes them curious and engaged, connect with parents, and then you’ll know where and when to start making meaningful impact.
4. Try to have a weekly meeting with your principal.. even if it’s just a 10 minute chat, it makes a tremendous difference.
Best to you!
Jane
Former CT school librarian and now a school librarian in Houston, Texas
Congrats! You have joined an amazing profession. Agreed with Maureen & Mary Ellen about routines. You may find yourself getting overwhelmed. A way to combat this is to 1) try to get into a 10-min meditation practice every day. 2) Figure out your two - three radar items (from Brad Gustafson's
Reclaiming Our Calling) that you'd like to focus on for the year. I write them out on the cover of my bullet journal (a form of therapy for me) each year. I use my bujo just about every day, so I'm reminded of my radar items. Everything else I accomplish is bonus.
Have a fabulous year. If you are interested (once/if my school allows visitors on campus), you are welcome to visit my K - 9 library in northwestern CT.
Cheers,
~Val
![Rumsey Hall School](http://www.rumseyhall.org/uploaded/emailsignatures/crest.jpeg) | Valerie DiLorenzo | Library Media Specialist & New Faculty Coordinator A Tradition of Effort, Family and Community |
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![](https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=15Diob27w1bcjGJ5unydPHE9KtCj3YuV0&revid=0B7nBGLNZBambeGRYTG1iNUhpK3JKT25TNTBkWi9seFYyNTljPQ)
Check out my
podcast(Thoughts/opinions are my own; citations used where needed!)
Listening to:
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Currently Reading:
The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney D. Grandison (#CTCASLReads)
Make Just One Change: Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions by Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana
Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power Of Storytelling by Matthew Dicks
Something to Say by Lisa Moore Ramee
Hello, Future Me by Kim Ventrella
Recently finished:
Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee (via
Sync free, audiobook program)
Dust: Heirs of Neverland, Book One by Kara Swanson (via
Sync free, audiobook program)
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi
Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Happiness by Don Vu
The Adventure is Now by Jess Redman
Unplugged by Gordon Korman
Sasha Masha by Agnes Borinsky (via
Sync free, audiobook program)
Poemsia: A Novel by Lang Leav (via
Sync free, audiobook program)
Trouble with a Tiny t by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Scheerger
Crescendo by Allen Cheney (via Sync free, audiobook program) The Girl Who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farook (#CTCASLReads)
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
Hi all - I JUST accepted a position as a long term sub at an elementary school as a full time LMS and this is my first time working in a library. I'm definitely excited and anxious as the first day of school is Monday and I don't have a lot of time to prepare!
Does anyone have any guidance or advice for me?
Thanks!
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https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
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