Re: [LM_NET] Negative and nasty comments -- Discussion

[Lisa Hunt <lisa3moon@YAHOO.COM>]

Not long ago I was hot under the collar about something a colleague in my school 
had done, but I knew better than to react with a mean spirit (boy I wanted to 
though.)  I talked with my principal "after" I calmed down; and I explained to her 
that my emotional needs were very different from my professional needs.  I knew the 
right thing to do, and I was doing just that.  However, I felt better that she 
"heard" my voice.  I didn't want action taken but I wanted to unload my feelings.  
I handled it, she did nothing as I wanted, but she sees me as a team player.

That's the approach that works for me... I do the right thing.  Almost always a 
strong focus on the students is the best "right" thing we can do.  Instead of 
complaining, nitpicking, reminding others of our rules, etc we should re-focus on 
the students.  It keeps me very busy, and quite honestly I don't have time to be 
cranky or unfriendly to people when I stay focused on the students.

I changed that little song from Finding Nemo.  The one that Dori sings has the 
refrain "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming what should we do, just SWIM!"  My 
change is "Just keep smiling, just keep smiling, that's what we (LMS) do, just 
SMILE!"

I'm only one person, but I try to hang out with the positive, smiling LMS in my 
district.  We spread cheer to many, and I believe we use our powers for good.
 
Lisa Hunt, NBCT 2005
School Library Media Specialist
Apple Creek Elementary
Moore, OK
lisa3moon@yahoo.com 




________________________________
From: Paula Yohe <paula_yohe@YAHOO.COM>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 3:33:54 PM
Subject: Negative and nasty comments -- Discussion

You know
it has been interesting
I received private emails thanking me for posting.
And I received an email telling me that even technology people ought to be able to 
spell

This is not a post about this particular topic - but a discussion in general on 
what we are actually doing as a profession when we say negative and nasty things ..


I have been a media specialist for more years than I care to remember
I am also a certified administrator..


I am involved in many different things --
from dealing with IT folks - to principals -- to software developers -- national 
committees working on data quality -- technical development of products  -- school 
information systems - technology integration groups - technology coaches and 
library groups.

Overall -- media specialists are considered by most of these groups to be negative 
and hard to get along with --
I fight the battle at almost every meeting I attend that media specialists needs to 
be included -- and 90% of the time -
I get no
because of the attitude of librarians --- 

Are there some bad IT folks out there - yes
Are there some bad principals out there - yes

But overall when I go to different meetings -- I do not get the negative responses 
about these groups that I get about librarians --

This tells me that overall our profession needs to do a better job in presenting 
ourselves to various groups of people --
I actually ended up having this discussion earlier today with a group of librarians 
from academic, public, school, and technical colleges - about the perception of 
libraries and librarians and
I came home with that on my mind and received some email about this very thing...

which was my point in my original post --
and after receiving one email in particular

I decided that we need to have a discussion on ways that our profession can begin 
to change the perception out there about libraries and librarians

Not one person can do it -- it has to be a group effort
We need to get involved with other groups and work together --

If you don't like the IT folks -- get to know them -- and understand what their 
problems are 
if you don't like the technology coach -- get to know them --

Stop being the barrier and being a bridge

I truly believe the survival of libraries and our profession is ultimately at 
stake..






I fight that battle almost every time 




Paula Yohe
Director Of Technology/Library Media Center
Dillon School District Two
405 West Washington Street
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: 843-841-3604 Fax:843-774-1214
paula_yohe@yahoo.com


      

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------



      

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------