Flex girl wins the battle, but not the war!

[lisa gangemi <ligan@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>]

Ok, so do you all know the shampoo commercial where the women are all
walking around waving their clean hair, and enthusiastically screaming
"YES YES YES"?

So, that would be me right now!

This listserv has carried me through what has certainly been the
darkest hour of my career.  Now, for those of you who don't know me
(which would probably be about all of you!) I am the type of person
who cries at the schmaltzy holiday phone commercials, ok?

I thought there was no way that I would be able to stand in front of
the faculty and address them without breaking down in tears (I
unfortunately did this with the two reps when I was really losing it.
oh well)

The meeting went so GREAT -- in terms of:
1.  I gave each teacher, and special area teacher (resource, speech,
esl, etc...) a packet which contained the anonymous questions that I
wasn't answering (but would if someone would stand up and claim
ownership. smile smile), a wonderful pamplet that came from Renee
Dolan (I hope I'm allowed to mention names! I haven't had time to keep
up with that debate) on the differences b/t fixed and flexible
scheduling, and some position statements from AASL on flexible
scheduling, library staffing, etc...

2.  I think teachers eyes were opened in terms of some of the
questions that were asked.

3.  My principal really came through, and spoke eloquently, strongly,
and calmly (a very key point) to the staff.

4.  The rest of the staff was able to see who was being a "ballbuster"
, for lack of a better phrase!

I didn't even get to answer all ten questions that were signed,
because I didn't get to speak until the end of the faculty meeting. I
will zerox my responses and give them to the faculty to continue
reading on their own. And I did all of this CALMLY, which many of you
pointed out was a character trait that would only serve me well at
this time. Thanks!

I can only hope that things will go UP from here.  I am sure that I
will still meet some resistance, but feel so much lighter now that
this is all out on the table.

Someone from this list, and I forget who, commented that I had "really
done my homework" in preparing my responses.  That "homework" was done
by all of you as well! So many of you took the time to email me
encouragement, or your own answers to the list of questions, etc...
ALL of you helped me make this presentation today. For that I am
grateful!

Finally, I learned one other thing.  When I was in library school, I
joined all of my local and state organizations.  Over time, when I had
to pay the "real" dues and not the much reduced student dues, I found
myself dropping out of organizations here and there. BIG MISTAKE ON MY
PART!  I will be renewing my memberships pronto, because I have
learned head-on the importance of supporting not just ourselves, but
our profession as well.

I will keep the list informed as to breaking news on my part as this
scenario will most likely continue to unfold throughout this year.
Just think of me as your own personal alternative to the soaps!

Fondly,

Lisa Gangemi -- The Warrior Librarian!
ligan@worldnet.att.net
Sousa Elementary
Port Washington NY

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