Last Class, Best Class

I teach three third grade classes each week. Because end-of-the-day classes are quite challenging for countless reasons that will not be revealed, I have started a tradition with my students. I use a bit of reverse psychology of sorts, telling them that since they are my last class of the day, I know that they will be my best class of the day. I especially emphasize that on Fridays since those 3rd graders not only make up my last class of the day. They are also the last students I see from the entire week. 

As soon as they assemble outside the library, I say, "Last class...". If they happen to hear me over their own talking, students will respond, "best class!" Yesterday was my last day at Resurrection College Preparatory High School. The entire week gets my "last class, best class" stamp of approval.

The past 40.5 hours of library observations will be ones that I will remember for a very long time. I did not know what to expect when I entered the pristine halls of Resurrection College Preparatory High School, an all-girls Catholic high school on the northwest side of Chicago.  What I learned can be used to transform my life as a librarian, an educator and a human being. 

Throughout the week, I have included invaluable information about the librarian's, Ann Marie, collection development/weeding, management, professional development and other practices in my reflection journal. I was shocked by the fact that the school library does not have a set curriculum and that Ann Marie does not have to worry about lesson plans, grades and stressful observations like I do. I am fond of lists, so it is only fitting that I compile a kind of Top 3 list of the most important takeaways from my observation experience based on the LIS rubric that I was provided. Note:  I chose these areas because increasing the use of technology in libraries, meeting the needs of today's library patrons and professional development (and basically proving librarians' relevancy in this day and age) are widely talked about topics. 

LIS10 Impact Of Technology on The Field/LIS9 Utilization Of Technology Technology is the primary medium through which Ann Marie serves the students and teachers at the high school. She and classroom teachers discuss what students will study and when they will come to the library for her to assist them via conversations and scheduling on Schoology, the school's learning management system.  Ann Marie then researches vetted, authoritative websites on the topics and creates folders in the Schoology account, During her time with them, she shares each of the resources that she has found, making sure that students know where to find them and how to save information to their personal accounts. The above also relates to LIS1 Access Of Information Creation, Access and Use.

Students--ten at a time--are welcome to use the computers to finish assignments. The main users of the library computers are seniors because they are the only students without school-issued Chrome books. When the girls forget their computers or need to have them charged, Ann Marie willing meets those needs. 

LIS3  Assessment of User Information Needs As previously mentioned, Res, as the faculty, students and staff fondly call it, is an all-girls school. Ann Marie does an amazing job of filling the library with materials that reflect that fact. Her professionalism was exhibited throughout my time there, as I browsed scores of books and magazines that demonstrate her profound knowledge of the importance of providing her patrons with information that is timely, multicultural, culturally relevant and representative of the formats in which the girls (and teachers) like to read. Included in the collection are big chapter books for the all-of-the-time readers, short, simple ones for those who may like to read and reread a book, graphic novels for the artistic readers, magazines that appeal to girls who may like to feel that they are not reading at all and a fair share of books on teen romance and teen angst. Award-winning and classic books, made-into-movies titles, professional resources and everything in between can be found on the shelves at Res. 

The one area that impacted me most during my week long stay at Resurrection was LIS5 Leadership In Information and Instructional Services. It is clear that Ann Marie is respected as the expert that she is. Teachers come in to have her order books and DVDs for their students and oftentimes themselves. In addition, three very articulate and intelligent seniors spend the hour before lunch helping behind the counter in the library because "we just love being here!" The discussions that she has with children and adults alike reflect her in-depth knowledge of innumerable topics and her willingness and ability actively to engage with others. I learned that her father was in the Air Force and that she has lived in many places overseas; those international experiences have added to her personal as well as professional body of knowledge. 

At end of the day, Ann Marie and I discussed my final Master's project. I told her how I really want to include something that will draw teachers into the library. One thing she mentioned was Curriculit, an online compilation of literature readily available online for teachers to use in planning their lessons and communicating with students outside of the classroom. Returning to my school with that bit of information and everything else that I have learned may not change my colleagues' attitudes about the role of Library at our school. Nevertheless, I have been greatly transformed by the tutelage of such an experienced school librarian! What I learned will definitely make me become better in the field!