So, I’ve been trying to carve out some time to post to the blog, but unfortunately I’ve just been swampped with projects at school and a writing project at home. So this morning I have my iPhone in my hand and riding my exercise bike. In 2 to 3 miles, I can email, read Twitter, and catchup with Facebook. Now it looks like I can also write a short blog post, too. So what tricks do you use to get things done??
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How do you continue to grow and develop professionally each year. For me, it is a mix of technology and conferences. Kristin Fontichiaro on the School Library Media Activities Monthly blog posted a list of things for people to think about when coming to ALA Annual this summer. While she had a most exhaustive list, I commented on the blog that I think the number one thing to do at conference is to build your network. I can’t tell you how invaluable it has been for me over the years to have library media colleagues all over the state of Indiana and all over the country that are only an email away. One of my favorite parts of attending a conference was (and still is) a chance to see all my friends and get a chance to talk and catch-up.
But I wonder as I am working on another project today whether building that network can happen without attending a conference. I used Facebook today to connect with a library media specialist I hadn’t talk with in years. I logged onto Twitter and checked out some new resources and tools. I had a back and forth email conversation with a colleague where we bounced back and forth ideas for future articles we might write. My network where I might see or talk with these folks once in a great while now has the potential to keep me in contact with them all the time.
I still intend to be a conference attendee for many years to come. I enjoy the traveling. I enjoy talking and interacting with people face to face. But, I love that I can connect with friends via these technology tools, too. It gives me just another vehicle to keep growing and learning professionally.
Tags: professionaldevelopment · slmam · web2.03 Comments
Saturday was a chance to attend the first annual Indy Youth Literature Conference. Sponsored by IUPUI, Kids Ink Bookstore, and IMCPL, this conference brings the stars of Children’s Literature to Indiana. This year’s line up included Brian Selznick, Nikki Grimes, and Sue Corbett. They were all amazing presenters who shared their talents and process with a room full of librarians, teachers, and children books lovers.
Brian’s presentation included seeing the original film that inspired the Caldecott Medal winning book – The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Grimes presentation was very poetic talking about colors and reading many of her amazing poems. We also got a glimpse into the quick timeframe she had to write Barak Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope. Unfortuantely, I didn’t get to see Sue Corbett. I was giving a presentation on how to host an author visit, which was fun and I hope helpful for those attending.
I can’t wait to see who will be coming to Indy for the 2nd Annual Indy Youth Literature Conference in 2010!
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I arrived in Denver this morning for the American Library Association‘s Midwinter Meetings. The next few days are packed with meetings, networking, and time in the exhibits. It will also be a great time to catch-up with friends and colleagues. We often talk about being isolated in our jobs because no one does the same thing we do in our building. Getting involved in AASL or your state school library association is a great way to end that isolation and build a network of library friends and colleagues all over the country that you can both learn from as well as share your successes, too. Every time I come back from ALA or any other conference I’m always refreshed and full of ideas that I know are going to help make our program even better. I’m looking forward to a great weekend!
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Joyce Valenza tagged me for a meme on what I want to teach in 2009. So, here are some of the things I want to help my elementary kids learn in 2009.
A colleague of mine has a favorite saying – “As good as we are, we can always get better!” I wholeheartedly believe that. I know there is always more to do and I’m not always good about just picking a few things to really focus on. I want to do it all and want to do it all now. This was a good exercise in trying to maybe focus a bit on just a few things.
I tag: Sara Kelly Johns, Diane Chen, Peggy Milam, Kristin Fontichiaro
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I got tagged by Alice Yucht, so I’ve been trying to think about what to write for the last few days. Even harder, trying to think of people to tag because I’m not really sure how many people read this blog yet.
So, anyway, first things first. Here are the seven things you don’t know about me.
1.) I’m the oldest of 4 siblings. I have two sisters and a brother. So far I have a niece and a nephew, so having a ball being Uncle Carl.
2.) Most people know that I have a collection of ties. But, I don’t think most know that all 260+ ties are organized by color. I found some plastic containers with very thin drawers, so there are three of them stacked in my closet to organize them all.
3. ) I’m a huge fan of mysteries. I enjoy reading Harlan Coben, Robert Crais, and many, many others.
4.) Up until about 4 months ago, I had worked at the same job I started when I was in high school. I started work at the Speedway Public Library in June 1993 and just a few months ago decided that I needed to free up some time for other things. It was a great pleace to work for all those years and was my first taste of the world of libraries.
5.) Another collection I have is frogs. When I was younger my parents would read a little toddler book about colors and objects and when they got to the green frog, they would tickle me. So, every since I can remember I’ve been collecting various frogs and they now are all out for display in one of the bathrooms of my house.
6.) I have a very progressive student teacher supervisor and after we completed a project she encouraged me to write it up for an article. So, I my first article published in School Library Media Activities Monthly before I even had my first job.
7.) I’ve been working on collecting information for my family tree for probably 15 years or more. I’ve not had as much time to work on it the last few years, but my Mom and I both try from time to time to work on filling in some of the holes of our family genealogy.
Ok, I came up with seven. I have a hard time thinking about lists like this.
Now, the harder part…thinking of people to tag. So, let’s try Sara, Peggy, and Linda.
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Welcome 2009! We have another year full of possibilites and opportunities. As we rang in the New Year last week, I pondered what kind of resolutions I might have for 2009. I think it will be a mix of old and new.
Resolution #1:
Old: I hope to continue to have my eyes open for new possibilities and opportunties. I’ve often said my career in the field of library media has been one filled with opportunities and taking advantage of those opportunties as they came my way.
New: At the same time, I hope to be a little bit better judge of when I should say no. I don’t have a great use of that term, but I hope in 2009 to try and look at the big picture a little better and make sure I don’t over commitment myself.
Resolution #2:
Old: I am going to continue to try and branch out to try new things. It was just a year ago that I started this blog. I’d been reading other blogs for a long time, but hadn’t taken that leap to create my own. I jumped in to Twitter, Facebook, and various other Web 2.0 tools this year. I plan to continue to explore these new tools and how we’re going to use them with students.
New: I hope to post a little more often than I did in 2008. I can often think of lots of things to say; I just can’t always find the time to write it down! As for the other Web 2.0 type tools, I plan to continue to look for ways to use these online resources and tools with students and teachers!
Resolution #3:
Old: I need to loose some weight! Maybe some exercise would be good for me! I should try and eat more green things!
New: I need to loose some weight! Maybe some exercise would be good for me! I should try and eat more green things!
I’m sure that 2009 is going to be a year full of possibilities and opportunities, and hopefully my New Years resolutions will help keep me on track to enjoy the year!
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Here were some of my favorite books from 2008. My list is mostly picture books and non-fiction, so I know next year I need to be reading more chapter books. But, it is still always fun looking back over the year and seeing what titles jumped out at you. So, here is my list.
Bats at the Library
by Brian Lies; illustrated by Brian Lies
Before John was a Jazz Giant
by Carole Boston Weatherford; Illustrated by Sean Quails
Big Words for Little People
by Jamie Lee Curtis; illustrated by Laura Cornell
Butterflies in My Stomach
by Serge Bloch
Crazy Like a Fox
by Loreen Leedy
11 Planets
by David R. Aguilar
Fancy Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words
by Jane O’Conner and Robin Preiss Glasser
The Foggy Foggy Forest
by Nick Sharratt
Frogs
by Nic Bishop
Grace for President
by Kelly DiPucchio; illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Hanks Finds Inspiration
by Craig Frazier
Happy Birthday to You!
By Margot Theis Raven; illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
Happy School Year
by Susan Milford; illustrated by Mary DePalma
Help Me, Mr. Mutt
by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel
Hip Hop Speaks to Children
edited by Nikki Giovanni
It’s Not Fair!
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
The Lost-And-Found Tooth
by Louise Borden; illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Necks for for Adventure
by Timothy Basil Ering
One
by Kathryn Otoshi
Adventures of Riley (Series)
by Amanda Lumry and Laura Hurwitz
Silent Music
by James Rumford
Wave
by Suzy Lee
I’m sure there will be another list of great titles come this time next year! I can’t wait to start reading to see what those titles might be!
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My grandfather, Ralph C. Harvey, passed away late Monday evening. He was 88 years old. Just a few months ago, my grandparents celebrated their 60th Anniversary — an amazing accomplishment for a couple who were married six weeks from the day they met. It has been a hard couple of days as we begin the grieving process. But, at the same time, we get a chance to celebrate his amazing life. Our family spent hours Monday night after he passed sharing stories and memories — these things we’ll treasure for our entire lives.
Grandpa was a man of integrity; if he told you he was going to do something, he did it. There were no shortcuts for Grandpa, either. If you were going to do something, you did it right the first time. He was very devoted to my Grandma. He made sure that she always had everything she needed and was well taken care of. He loved his family and was always willing to help his sons and grandchildren in any way he could. He was a man of faith, and we know he is now in heaven looking down on all of us.
We certainly are going to miss him! At times like this, you realize the impact a person can have on another person’s life. In our library media centers, we have that same opportunity to impact out students. What kind of memories will they have of their school library media center and their library media specialist? We can only hope that we can be just like my Grandpa – a good role model.
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Today we got our first measurable snow in Indiana. Being one who is not a fan of snow, I dug out my annual sign. I’ve posted this in my front window for over 6 or 7 years I guess. It is my way to hope for a mild winter and that spring will come soon. I’ll leave it in the window until March or April (once I’m pretty sure we’ve seen the last of the snow!).
Even though it wasn’t much snow, I still opted to build a fire in the fireplace and cozied up with my computer today trying to check off items on my to do list. It was a great way to spend a Sunday! A few extra days off are always good to help get me back on track.
It was a great Thanksgiving here in Indiana and I’m most thankful for a wonderful family and a great place to work. Hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving holiday, too! Christmas will be here in just a few weeks and probably before we know it really will be spring!
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