Overview: School Library Media Specialists

Theory into practice: pre-service SLMS's can draw on the experiences and expertise of practicing school library media specialists working in the schools.

Thousands of teacher librarians are doing wonderful work with students, teachers, administrators, and their school communities. Several school library media specialists have agreed to interact with students during the semester. This communication will be completed at the course Blog site: S671 Blog - SLMS Bridging Theory and Practice
http://slmsbridge.blogspot.com/

The people listed below have agreed to participate as a "virtual" expert and interact with students. They will answer questions, provide ideas and examples, and share their knowledge and expertise during the scheduled 3-day sessions. These volunteer participants have been asked to monitor the blogsite a few times for the scheduled days; some may only be able to schedule this after school or early in the morning. They are all very busy teacher librarians and will fit it to their schedule.

Interactions can be relaxed and casual, conversational in manner. These volunteer participants are willing to share a wealth of experience, successes and perhaps a disappointment or two in administering school library media programs. The list of virtual experts for this year's blog interactions (Sept and Oct) are shaping up as a prestigous group:

• Thurs Sept 17 - Sat Sept 19 - Helen Adams (2008 & 2009), former SLMS, currently online instructor for Mansfield University, Freemont, WI
• Mon Sept 21 to Wed Sept 23 - Bonnie Grimble (2005, 2006, & 2009), Carmel High School, IN
• Thurs Sept 24 to Sat Sept 26 - Nancy McGriff (2005, 2006, & 2009), South Central Elementary School, Union Mills, IN
• Mon Sept 28 to Wed Sept 30 - Maria Savoldi (2009), former SLMS, currently a Technology Support Specialist, Georgia Virtual School
• Thurs Oct 1 to Sat Oct 3 - Elizabeth Winningham (2005, 2006, & 2009), Avon Intermediate School West, IN
• Mon Oct 5 to We. Oct. 7 - Chris Somers (2005, 2007, & 2009), Indian Creek Middle School, Trafalgar, IN
• Thurs Oct 8 to Sat Oct 10 - Robin Tanis (2008 & 2009), St. Pius X Catholic High School, Atlanta, GA
• Sun Oct 11 to Tues Oct 13 - Hella Rumschlag (2006, 2007 & 2009), Mohawk Trails Elementary, Carmel, IN
• Thurs Oct. 15 to Sat Oct. 17 - Robyn Young (2005, 2006, & 2009), Avon High School, IN
• Thurs Oct 22 to Sat Octr 24 - Liz Gray (2008 & 2009), Dana Hall School, Wellesley, MA

These people have a wealth of experiences and successes in administering strong school library media programs. Look over the brief introduction and compose your initial questions based upon their interests and backgrounds. You are required to interact with at least four different people and to summarize that interchage. But you are not limited to only that number. Engage each of your experts in more than a one question - one answer discussion. Make your interactions with the expert guests as meaningfull as possible. Extend your conversations to gain more depth and richer understandings. You have access to "pick these people's brains," so make the best of these opportunities.

The links below provide historical information for additional professionals that have participated during previous semesters (may return in future years).

• Marnie Bolstad (2008), Newton South High School Library, MA
• Rob Cox (2005 & 2006), Mount Vernon Elementary, Fortville, IN
• Janette Fluharty (2006, 2007 and 2008), Avon Intermediate School East, IN
• Teresa Garreth (2007 & 2008), New Castle Chrysler High School, IN
• Ramona Ho (2008), Kamehameha Schools Maui, Pukalani, HA
• Dana Hochstedler & Rob Cox (2005), Mt. Comfort & McCordsville Elementary Media Ctrs., Greenfield, IN
• Jane Kokotkiewicz (2005), Park Tudor School, Indianapolis, IN
• Deb Levitov (2005), Managing Editor of School Library Monthly & Crinkles, formerly Lincoln Public Schools, NB
• John McDonald (2005 & 2006), formerly at Connersville Middle School, IN
• Leslie Preddy (2007 & 2008), Perry Meridian Middle School, Indianapolis, IN
• Vickie Thomas (2005), Anderson High School, Anderson, IN (Retired)
• Catherine Trinkle (2005, 2006 & 2008), Hickory Elementary, Avon, IN
• Joyce Valenza (2007), Springfield Township High School, PA
• Alice Yucht (2007), former SLMS in NJ & NY, currently instructor at Rutgers University, NJ

 

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