HIT: Speech to student teachers, part 2

[Jan Hylen <jhylen@LIB.NMSU.EDU>]

Continuation of responses for my speech to student teachers:

Two things I would hope you include are 1.  There are national standards
for math, language arts, science, geography, health, art, music (and more)
and also for Information Literacy.  Just as important and cuts across all
disciplines.  They should rely on Information Power to help them persuade
doubters.   2. Whenever possible get your principal to include the
classroom teacher's use of the library media program and their
collaboration with the LMS in the evaluation of that teacher.  When the
teachers know that the principal expects them to collaborate and grades
them on their doing so, they stop being reluctant.  They may hate it; they
may well believe that it is more difficult and more work; they will also
believe that it is necessary.

Hilda L. Jay, LMS(Ret.) & Author
hlj002@ns1.wmdc.edu
------------------------------
The single most important thing you can tell these pre-teachers  is that
wise use of the school librarian's expertise will make THEM (the teachers)
look like experts to the principals.
I wouldn't waste time on flex scheduling (that's an arbitrary admin decision,
not something any new teacher can influence), nor on Big 6 (not everyone
uses it), but rather on:
--library use to extend/complement the classroom curriculum
--the importance of developing Information Literacy Skills in ALL
subject areas
--why planning ahead WITH your librarian is so important
--professional resources librarians should (and teachers rarely) know about
(including magazines like Classroom Connect, Booklinks, even Instructor)
--the importance of LITERATURE, notjust technology
--why a good librarian is your best guide thru the Information Jungle,
etc.

Don't even mention 'bad' librarians -- they'll find out soon enough, but if
they
have some idea of what a GOOD librarian can do for them, they'll be more
likely
to request better services rather than accept nothing.

Most important, stress that school librarians' mantra is SHARE -- and
that good teachers benefit from that collaborative spirit.

Have fun!  I've done these workshops for years. . .  It's always amazing to
see
how much they don't know. . . . and sometimes what their profs don't know,
 either.

Alice H. Yucht
--------------------
Hi. I can give you a bit of info. Another media specialist and I have
presented numerous times at our local University and for our mentor teachers.
I am sorry to say that teacher education programs that I was a part of, and
that I have observed, have little to say about the value of establishing a
good working relationship with a media specialist. If you are interested in
any information that I can share, please let me know. I am going to be at a
conference for two days, so it will be Friday at least before I can respond
with any clarity. I wish you well in your presetation.

Sonya Boyd
-----------------------------
Hi, I'm a spec. ed. teacher only 3 yrs. teaching experience & I am
currently working on my Master in school media.  I think this is
wonderful!!! I wish it was a topic of discussion during my undergrad.  I
think that the school librarian might be an asset especially during
student teaching.
 I student taught in a small private school that had no library, but I
got ideas from the reading specialist.  She recommended and supplied 2
diff. books which I read w/ my class & I was able to incorporate them
into my lesson plans!!! She also gave my activity ideas. It was a life
saver, especially as my creativity was running low due to my tremendous
work load.

I would simply advertise the librarian as someone of great value that
may have a lot to offer, especially to a new teacher!!!

Good Luck!

Laura Fitzgibbon, school media student
------------------------------
I would just make the point that the librarian is a valuable resource in the
school - that their main responsibility is to HELP you!  Talk to them about
NOT buying books on their own, but going to the library first.  They'll be
surprised what a good library actually has, or can acquire for them.  I
remember when I was a young, poor English teacher who had never been "turned
on" to using the school librarian, I really spent a lot of money that I didn't
have to spend.

As far as recalcitrant librarians, my experience as a teacher was with one of
"them" ;)  and it never once occurred to me to use the library other than "the
room."  I didn't see HER as a potential resource, as much as the collection or
the space.  You might encourage new teachers with laid-back librarians to
enlist their support - you know, kill them with kindness.  Spend a few minutes
talking about the units you have planned, and ASK the librarian what the
library has.  ASK the librarian if they have worked with other teachers -
"I've never done this before, but I was going to teach a mythology unit and I
don't really have many materials.  What does the lib. have?  Wow!  Can I check
these out?  For how long?  Do you know what other teachers have done with
mythology?  Wow, that sounds cool.  Have you done anything with mythology
before in the lib?  You really know a lot about what goes on here!  If I come
up with anything, would you mind if we talked about it and maybe planned
something?"  Put them in the position to feel wise and knowledgeable;  let
them know that you want to know what THEY think.

Oh, and tell them never to use these phrases:
"well, in the library where I did my student teaching, they..."
"well, where I went to high school..."

These phrases only highlight their inexperience, youth, and (perceived) lack
of insight.  If the librarian is different than what you were expecting, roll
with it.  Observe.  Don't try to tell someone who has been "in the game" for a
long time how they should change.  There are many many ways of doing something
well, and this person's method, while different, may be just as good or
better.

As a young person and a relatively new librarian, these are some of the (many)
mistakes that I have made throughout my career.  Ugh!

Just some thoughts.  I wish all student teachers were given a chance to learn
a little about the library!  I'm sure you'll serve us well.
Liz K.
Elizabeth A. Kaminetz
eakamine@henrico.k12.va.us
-----------------------
I suppose you might include tgis in talking to the librarian ahead of
time, but one of my biggest 'needs' is for teachers to let me know
what their curriculum will be covering.

EB
Elizabeth Bentley
e-mail: info@northbrook.lewisham.sch.uk


````````````````````````````````````````
Jan Hylen
Education Librarian
University Library, MSC 3475
New Mexico State University
P.O. Box 30006
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8006
(505) 646-6927     fax: (505) 646-3390
jhylen@lib.nmsu.edu

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