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 L553 students during the semester. This communication will be completed at the course Blog site: L553 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 should be relaxed and casual, conversational in manner. These volunteer participants are willing to share a wealth of experience and successes in administering school library media programs. The list of virtual experts for this year's blog interactions (Oct and Nov) are being finalized and as always this is shaping up as a prestigous group:

• Mon. Oct. 1 to Wed. Oct. 3 - Janette Fluharty (2006 & '07), Avon Intermediate School East, IN
• Thurs. Oct. 4 to Sat. Oct. 6 - Leslie Preddy (2007), Perry Meridian Middle School, Indianapolis, IN
  
• Mon. Oct. 8 to Wed. Oct. 10 - Alice Yucht (2007), former SLMS in NJ & NY, currently instructor at Rutgers University, NJ
• Thurs. Oct. 11 to Sat. Oct 13 - Chris Somers (2005 & '07), Indian Creek Middle School, Trafalgar, IN
• Mon. Oct. 15 to Wed. Oct. 17 - Teresa Garreth, New Castle Chrysler High School, IN
• Thurs. Oct 18 to Sat. Oct 20 - Hella Rumschlag (2006 & '07), Mohawk Trails Elementary, Carmel, IN
  
• Mon. Oct 29 to Wed. Oct 31 - Joyce Valenza (2007), Springfield Township High School, PA

The links below provide information for additional professionals that participated in previous semesters (may return in future years). Their discussions with former students remain at the blogsite.

• Rob Cox (2005 & '06), Mount Vernon Elementary, Fortville, IN
• Bonnie Grimble (2005 & '06), Carmel High School, IN
• Carl Harvey (2005 & '06), North Elementary School, Noblesville, IN
• 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 Activities Monthly & Crinkles, formerly of Lincoln Public Schools, NB
• John McDonald (2005 & '06), Connersville Middle School, IN
• Nancy McGriff (2005 & '06), South Central Elementary School, Union Mills, IN
• Vickie Thomas (2005), Anderson High School, Anderson, IN
• Catherine Trinkle (2005 & '06), Hickory Elementary, Avon, IN
• Elizabeth Winningham (2005 & '06), Avon Intermediate School West, IN
• Robyn Young (2005 & '06), Avon High School, IN

 

Suggestions

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 deep and richer understandings. You have access to "pick these people's brains," so make the best of that opportunity.

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