Re: Uneducated "librarians"

[Becky West <bwest@cms.maisd.com>]

I agree that there are many parapros who do an excellant job of running
a media center.  The problem, I feel, is when the parapros are doing the
"teaching". The issue of curriculum and curriculum integration is a big
one.  I think that if the unions were to get involved in this issue,
parapros would not be allowed to teach, as they do not have teaching
degrees.  Are they allowed to teach a science class without a degree?
Why should our field be any different?

There is also the issue of parapros providing prep time for teachers.
In Michigan, where I work, students are required to receive a certain
number of contact hours a year.  This time is only counted when a
professional staff member is in attendance.  If schools are counting
time when only a parapro is in charge, they are violating the law.

It would be wonderful if all media centers could be staffed with a
professional.  I know that I am very lucky to be working full time in
one elementary school, with a full time clerk.  She is wonderful!  I
could not do the work that I do, without her.  Unfortunately, not every
school is willing to spend the money to provide the same services.
Parapros running media centers deserve a great deal of credit for the
work they do.  Without them, kids would not have access to the books and
other materials.  I just don't feel that paraprofessionals should be
providing instruction.  If they do, what incentive is there for the
school to ever h

--
--
Becky West
Media/Technology Specialist
Stanton Elementary School
710 N. State St.
Stanton, MI 48888
(517) 831-5258
(517) 831-8851 (Fax)
bwest@cms.maisd.com
http://hornet.cmontcalm.k12.mi.us/stanton/index.html


--

---------- Original Message ------------------------
From:         Cheryl Whitmore Stevens <cstevens@TOLLAND.K12.CT.US>
Reply-To:     Cheryl Whitmore Stevens <cstevens@tolland.k12.ct.us>
Date:         Thu, 2 Dec 1999 07:51:35 -0500

I take great exception to this topic and the way it is being handled by my
peers! I began my career as a paraprofessional-I had never intended to work
in a library, but the positionn presented itself. I did a good job, I
attended workshops and professional meetings. I also happen to know
"PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS" who are the PITS and I would rather not say belong
to the same profession. As a (dreaded) paraprofessional, I also posted
requests to LM_NET, because I was trying to help my staff and students,
luckily people were willing to help me and not punish me because I was
trying to do my job the best I could!

I now have my MLS and agree that every library should have a "professional",
but one of the best LIBRARIANS I know does not. She has turned a lackluster
library into a dynamic place which is being used more and more by her
communty.

----- Original Message -----
From: Karen Lon <klon@LJCDS.ORG>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 1999 4:45 PM
Subject: Re: Uneducated "librarians"


> This topic is HOT one for me.  Partly because I was replaced by an  "aide"
> once and partly because I feel that aides are being exploited by schools
> that hire them to do the work of a professional and and pay them the
> amount of a clerk.
>
> I know many would not agree with me, but I boycott organizations which
> support this trend by actually training the aides (i.e. California School
> Librarian's Association).  I refuse to answer any questions on this list
> that are obviously submitted by aides.
>
> Bet I get some HOT replies to this! I know that I am not helping children
> by this behaviour,  but how am I helping them or our profession by going
> along with this scattered on-the-job training?
>
> Karen Lon, Middle School Librarian
> La Jolla Country Day School
> San Diego, CA
> klon@ljcds.org
>
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