Re: From the classroom into the library

[Barb Engvall <engvallb@ELLTEL.NET>]

I too am an elementary librarian whose only experience in the classroom has
been substitute teaching. It doesn't seem to be a hindrance to me in my
professional capacity. I have a regular teaching credential (from Texas)
with my MLS from TWU, so I did both student teaching and a library
practicum.

What I do have that is interesting and I think beneficial is that my
bachelor's degree is in Business Administration! When you think about it, we
are really running a small business, with a budget, purchasing, organizing
stock, marketing, personal management (if you have an aide or volunteers)
and customers.

As many have said, all of our life experiences help make us what we are. I
think that having experience as a classroom teacher helps in understanding
what our teacher-customers need for support. Of course, what would really be
nice is if THEY would have experience as a library media specialist! So many
of them think we are only there to serve only them (individually). One of
the nicest compliments I got last year was from a former student teacher who
was subbing in our building. She ended up subbing for me and was blown away
with what my day was like. (Of course, she was only dealing with classes and
drop-in activity, none of the day-to-day management that gets done behind
the scene.) She ended up apologizing for all of the times she called me with
questions. She is now going to be on our staff in 4th grade, so she will be
a great addition and supporter!

--
Barb Engvall
Library Media Specialist
John Campbell Elementary School
408 N. 1st Street
Selah, Wa  98942

engvallb@elltel.net




> From: Lawrence Newton <lwnewton@YAHOO.COM>
> Reply-To: Lawrence Newton <lwnewton@YAHOO.COM>
> Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 08:17:09 -0700
> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: Re: From the classroom into the library
>
> I am a school librarian with no classroom experience;
> my background was in public libraries, but when my
> five children were young, one of us needed a schedule
> similar to theirs.  I had an ALA-accredited MLS, but
> in Texas I still had to go back and earn a teacher's
> certificate, then take the Library Science coursework
> appropriate for schools.
>
> What I missed by not having classroom experience were
> classroom management skills and a broad knowledge of
> the curriculum; after 17 years in various school
> settings, I have improved in those areas, and am still
> working on them.  However, my work experience in other
> library settings enriched my career in other ways,
> particularly many hours at the reference desk, serving
> adult and juvenile patrons.
>
> Does my background make me a "better" librarian than
> someone who came from the classroom?  I don't think
> so, but it doesn't make me worse, either.  We all
> bring different talents, traits, and experiences to
> our profession, and it's up to each of us to use them
> to do the best job we can for our students, and to try
> to strengthen our weaknesses.
>
> =====
> Lawrence Newton, Librarian
> Carnegie Elem. School,
> Houston (TX) ISD
> lwnewton@yahoo.com
>
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