Diversity

I hope to build a library collection with representation from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. It’s important for me to source from authors whose voice directly represent the community that is written about in their work. I’m also working towards improving access to resources for students with diverse learning needs.

I try to offer new perspectives to get students considering other points of view. I strongly believe it is only through understanding different people’s stories that we develop empathy, upon which we take action and grow as a person.

Relevancy

From my own experience as a lifelong learner, I need to be able to apply my learning immediately for it to be meaningful. I wish this for my students as well. It’s somewhat of a utopia as a teacher-librarian; students WANT to come to your classroom and they feel relaxed because there are no assignments or assessments. My time with them is limited to once per week, so I want them to be able to take what I teach and use it right away whether it’s research skills, book recommendations, or simply an encouraging message.

Critical Thinking

I would assume that most educators would have this skill on their priority list, but it has to be said. With the amount of media consumption today, there is so much for students to consider critically in our modern world. It is of utmost importance for me to teach students about bias (personal and external), authenticity of sources and information, and viewpoints presented in things that they read.

If you do not value libraries then you do not value cultures or information or wisdom. You are silencing the voices of the past and you are damaging the future.

Neil Gaiman

I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.

Roald Dahl