GEN, Washington state only

[Catherine Chapman <cchapman@WLN.COM>]

     Greetings!

     For some time I have been considering becoming a media specialist, so
     I thought I could get some insights by joining LM_Net.  Mostly I have
     been lurking, enjoying the shared wisdom.  Now, I am hoping that some
     of you will be kind enough to offer advise about becoming a media
     specialist in this beautiful state.

     A wee bit of background.  My various degrees include a B.A. in English
     Literature, a B.A. in German Literature and a minor in secondary
     education, and an M.L.S.  I have taken a children's literature course
     and have attended several storytelling workshops.  I am currently a
     full-time cataloger with WLN, plus a reference librarian on Sundays
     with the Timberland Regional Library.  I also worked as a children's
     librarian, and was solely responsible for presenting programs and
     storytimes.  I do not have a teaching certificate yet and have not had
     formal teaching experience.

     In Florida it was possible to do "student teaching" during the first
     year of the actual paid position as a teacher.  Is this allowed in
     Washington?  Also, is student teaching for prospective media
     specialists done in the classroom and/or the library?

     I realize that I will probably have to take more classes and am hoping
     to find something close to home, preferably in the evening.  Have any
     of you earned distance degrees to become a media specialist?

     Any and all suggestions/advice will be appreciated.  So far I have
     only received a list of the "colleges in the area" from the education
     department...

     Thanks in advance,

     Cathy Chapman                      cchapman@wln.com