Philosophy Of Education

It is my role as the Library Media Specialist to make sure the library is welcoming and inviting to all students and staff members. This is accomplished through a warm and welcoming atmosphere that offers structure but is essentially what I consider --at its best-- the “heart” of the school. This is the foundation and driving force behind the vision and plan for my school library: the understanding of the essential nature of the library program to student achievement and success. Developing a library program that shapes my vision requires insight into several key components: education and support of students, training and support of faculty, cooperation and communication with administration, management of the library facility and staff, community outreach and advocacy, and continued personal professional growth.

As a teacher, I provide access to information rather than being the provider of that information. My first goal for the function of the library program is to facilitate student education and achievement, beginning with literacy. The library should comply with national and state standards to be the cornerstone of promoting strong reading skills. As a Librarian, I will maintain a diverse and contemporary collection of reading materials that will meet the needs and interests of all learners in the school. As a Library Media Specialist, I will instruct students in research strategies, copyright, and citation use, as well as technology skills required to support educational activities. It is my job to be knowledgeable about copyright and licensure regulations and communicate these regularly and effectively to library patrons.

The library is also a place for faculty, administration, parents, and community members to access information resources. The library is a place where students can explore more fully what they are learning in the classroom, expand their imagination, unearth subjects that interest them, and think clearly, critically, and creatively within areas of personal interest.

Students today are submerged in information, all of which differs in format, reliability, and means of production. So today’s challenge is not in teaching students how to find information, but instead teaching them how to be critical of the information they access.

As a Library Media Specialist, I strive to be a predominant resource for faculty in curricular support, collaboration, and co-teaching with faculty, particularly in the areas of information literacy, technology instruction, library skills, and research, to enhance student learning and success. I will also carry out additional research as needed to keep resources up-to-date or expand weak areas in the library collection. I will assist staff in areas of technology training and incorporating technology into instruction as necessary. I will be familiar with the common machines and programs used by the school and assist with updating, maintaining, repairing and troubleshooting. This will include communicating regularly with students and staff library updates, programs, achievements and resources.

The idea of positive change and improvement is one I greatly value. Without a deep love of learning, I would not be the person I am today -- excited, motivated, and full of hope for the students and staff that encompass my surroundings. I am continuously reflecting and evaluating my teaching and my work to improve. When something has not engaged the students or produced the goal I had hoped, I regroup and make a plan to revise it. I enjoy being given the opportunity to seek professional development, so I can continuously strive to do my job better. I want to show my students that we can make mistakes and not be perfect, but that we can always improve and become better. When I teach my students to self-evaluate and reflect on their own progress, it gives them a chance to take control of their learning and determine their own educational direction. I believe all students have the inherent need to be respected and heard. My wish for them is that they will be open to learning in new ways. When the students can collaborate and learn with each other, they have the tools they need to make positive changes.

My goal as a Library Media Specialist is to foster personal exploration, challenge critical thinking, and frame students’ experiences while forging a conducive learning environment. Multiple teaching experiences have taught me that this process only happens if students develop a sense of autonomy and accomplishment. My role, then, is less about being an expert who dictates content and authority and more about being a leader who guides students through learning in the context of their lived experiences. My library will be a caring, safe, and ethical environment where students will learn to be responsible and take ownership of their own learning. I will be a responsible leader who models kindness and compassion, uses positive discipline, and always strives to create a successful atmosphere for all learners. My experience has taught me that not everyone learns in the same manner, and I strongly believe the learning process never ends, so I make every effort to pass on my devotion to continue learning throughout life and share that information with others around us.