In 2011, the State almost eliminated librarians from all 16 State Technical High Schools. In some ways, I believe it was a ploy to convince teachers they were serious about cutting positions if we didn't ratify the Union deal. In other ways, I have come to realize that my job is unstable. My audience for my portfolio is my current employer, and any future employer if it comes to that!
Ahhh... the "good old days." **
In my portfolio, I will include:
- About me
-Teaching philosophy
- Abridged Resume
- A little bit about me, personally
- Sample lessons
- collaborative and individual
- student and PD
- Tutorials
- the best ones I put together myself
- Websites of interest
- Useful Favorites from my Pearltrees that I reference often
- I also control other websites for my school. I am considering including these.
- My Blog
- at this time, a link to the whole thing. I think it shows growth and reflection, as well as a little bit of my personality and learning style. In the future, I may start a different blog, which will be less ITDML-centered.
I plan to use Google Sites, unless I can find something better. I like the layout of my learning hub.
I think "The Hub" looks a bit whimsical. It may change before next Tuesday.
Here is my Google Sites portfolio. I played around with it for a week. It is a bit cumbersome, but we are a Google school and I would like to know the tools at my disposal. I tried to like Wix last summer, but it wasn't what I had hoped for.
Here is a bubbl.us version of my Site Map. Google Sites automatically includes a site map. The link is labeled on the front page at the bottom of the navigation bar. I was able to figure out how to embed the map without looking something up yet again. The terminology is more familiar.
I posted my philosophy in G+, but here is my current philosophy for posterity:
We learn when we feel safe. As the school librarian, I work to create an environment with clear behavior expectations, appropriate conversation, and respectful rapport. I see my role as a facilitator for creating independent learners, so supplies are handy, useful information is clearly posted, and staff is readily available for support. It is important to build positive relationships with colleagues, students, and their parents. This creates a safe environment for learning.
We do our best thinking when we have time to reflect. Our culture and our devices eat away at our time. I do not teach formally every day, but when I do, I build in time and reflection questions to encourage students to think about their new learning.
We learn best when we are excited about our learning. Some students can be extrinsically motivated, but most students, especially today's digital natives, learn best when we can activate what motivates them internally. As a specialist, I have the luxury of teaching students library and research skills "just in time." They are able to practice and use these skills as they complete work for subject-area teachers.
People and the systems we create are not perfect. There are always circumstances beyond our control. It is important to be flexible and to embrace change, not blindly, but with honest effort. I put forth solid effort in all situations, and I expect the same of my students and my colleagues. Communication is the best bridge between expectations and reality, especially in change situations. Because of this, I encourage honest, respectful communication with my colleagues and students.
** Shareable image found at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1930%27s_-_ca._-_Alma_Custead,_Librarian,_and_Staff.jpg
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