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I attended a workshop with Allison Zmuda. She said something that really resonated with me. "YOU are responsible for the learning that occurs in your space." She is a classroom teacher, and it was most interesting to hear her point of view. She said she was one of those teachers who always came up with last minute plans. She said her librarian would bend over backwards to accommodate. Then Allison asked herself - during the time the librarian was scrambling to accommodate last minute needs - what was happening to the children that were in the library who needed the librarian? It was obvious to Allison that the children were paying for her (the teacher's) lack of planning. Allison says no matter what - teachers will ask outrageous things. They often don't know better. It is we librarians who need to keep the mantra in mind - "YOU are responsible for the learning that occurs in your space." An ill-timed (and ill- conceived) plan such as you describe, is taking away from the children who have a right to have your best and most focused attention to their educational needs. It makes a great deal of sense. Yes - helping a teacher can be a way of reaching out to someone who doesn't use the library effectively. However - this request was beyond the scope of what we should be providing as assistance. It sounds to me as if she asked the children what they were interested in and her plan was simply to gather books for them. What is that teaching the kids? If you are responsible for the learning that takes place in your library - then you are responsible for teaching those children how to locate books to satisfy their interests, or fulfill the requirements of the teacher. With even just a week's lead time - a wonderful educational opportunity could be designed for those children. That teacher is putting up road blocks to education in your classroom. She is not in charge of your classroom. You are. Once ruffled feathers have settled down - it might be a good idea to approach her asking what projects she is planning in the next few weeks so that you can figure out how to teach her students about locating information in your library. If your attempts fail, it would be time for a conversation with your principal. Perhaps a policy could be written up and shared with the faculty with the approval of your principal. Jacquie "The Librarian, whose job is to heal ignorance, to keep life safe for poetry and to put knowledge smack dab in the middle of the American way." ~ The Philadelphia Inquirer, 9-20-03 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jacquie Henry, MLS Ruben A. Cirillo High School (GHS) Gananda Central School District 3195 Wiedrick Road P.O. Box 609 Macedon, NY 14502 315-986-3521 x 3144 jhenry@gananda.org Library Page: http://www.gananda.org/library/mshslibrary/indexgcl.htm Blog: http://nlcommunities.com/communities/wanderings/default.aspx -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------