Re: Where do we come from..."

[Mentzer - Diane <dmentzer@UMD5.UMD.EDU>]

I have been reading all of the stories, so here is mine. My mother worked
as a library assistant in the public school since my brother started
school. He was 4 years behind me. She later went to work in the public
library. This led to my interest in Library, but my first career goal was
to teach.
In 1976 I remember telling the guidance counselor that I wanted to teach
elem. school. She said there were too many elem. teachers and that I
should choose some other field to go into.  I would not change my mind, I
had wanted to teach as long as I could remember.  When I enrolled at
Shippensburg University I had to choose a minor. I choose library science
because of the influence of my mother.
Upon Graduation in 1979 I started substituting. Always in the classroom. I
then took a long term sub job teaching Kindergarten. Then a private school
teaching 3rd grade and then 4th grade the next year. I loved it. When I
had my daughter the Christian school I was teaching at decided that
mothers of young children shouldn't work and wouldn't give me my job back.
I could have challenged them with discrimination, but instead I collected
unemployment and stayed home and enjoyed my daughter, until my husband was
laid off.
I heard from a college classmate that she was working as a librarian and
was taking a maternity leave. I called the principal, went to see him and
was hired on the spot. School started in 1 week. I went into a library
that had just been painted, all of the books were on tables in the middle
of the room.  The supervisor and her assistant helped me put them on the
shelves and i was throen into library work. She decided not to return that
year and they put me under contract in Jan. They ten closed the school in
June. I was given the option of several schools to move to as librarian. I
was lucky to move to a school that most librarians and teachers in the
district would have given their right arm to go to.
I have been at this school since. I have had to teach Gifted and Talented
as well as 4th grade Soc. St and 5th grade Soc.St. to keep this as a
fulltime position, but I did it gladly. I have seen the schools go from 1
computer in the media center to full internet access from each classroom
as well as a 30 Mac lab and a media center with 7 OPAC stations, 2
workstations and 1 check-out computer.
I would never go back to the classroom, Even for triple the money. I love
being a media specialist.
 Diane Mentzer
Paramount Elementary School             "Learning to Read is Basic,
Hagerstown, MD                           Loving to Read is the Plus"
dmentzer@umd5.umd.edu
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