I would like to take a different slant to the "negativity" in our profession
that I experienced. Seventeen years ago I lost a job which was due to
budgetary problems; the school closed at the 11th hour so to speak. I could
not find employment for 2 years. I asked the school library media supervisor
for the school system where I had worked to write references for me whenever
I applied for jobs. On one ocassion, she point blank told me if I could not
get a job, I should consider getting a job doing something else. I
interpreted this to mean give up...move on to something else..."get out of
the profession entirely"....pursue another career. I was dealing with other
issues at the time, too. Listening to her was not an option. I was
persistent and applied to a neighboring states where I have been for the
past 15 years. [ 1/2 a career]. During this time, I have obtained
endorsement/licensure in 2 states as a school library media supervisor [
primarily as a professional accomplishment, professional development ,
self-worth and esteem booster] and maintaining licenses in a total of 3
states. Even if I had the personality to do as she suggested, I think what
a loss to the 2 school systems where I have worked and served as an
elementary school library media specialist in my current state of Virginia.
I have been an itinerant, closed a library and opened/merged 2 library media
centers, and switching to another school system brought opening a remodeled
elmentary school library media center. Experiences which I would not have
had if I had listened to someone trying to push me out of the profession.
A detour which I don't regret. Found my niche. Yes, there have been hurdles
which I have jumped. So attempting to weed out the people who appear not to
have what it takes can have the opposite end result.
Robert Joyce
School Librarian/Library Media Specialist
Virginia----Pittsylvania COunty Sch.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nancy Dickinson" <dickinson1@K12TN.NET>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 7:16 PM
Subject: TAR: Opinions about policing our profession
> OK, I'm not sure "policing" is the word I want to use, but I am curious
> about your opinions about whether or not you think it might be time for
> our profession to find a way to dismiss rather than defend people who
> really should find another job.
>
> Do we really want people who are negative and feeling victimized by life
> to be school librarians? Or teachers for that matter? I confess that I am
> a member of NEA, but sometimes I think tenure is not good for our
> profession. Do other professions have the equivalent of tenure? I know
> it's impossible to get rid of all the bad lawyers, doctors, and teachers
> in the world, but couldn't something change in our profession to help us
> better ensure the quality of our colleagues? I'm curious to know if
> academic libraries and public libraries are better able to weed out the
> people who should look for another profession.
>
> Just thinking....
>
> Nancy Dickinson, Librarian
> Hillsboro Elem. School
> Hillsboro, TN 37342
> dickinson1@k12tn.net
>
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