Not More or Less, Just Different!

At this point in the year, 3 weeks into instruction here in Tampa, FL, we Media Specialists can be divided into 2 camps: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don't. No, wait, that's something else. How about: those who have had their Media Orientations and are checking out books and those who haven't had their Orientations and aren't checking out books. Whatever camp you're in, congratulations! That's called doing your job! But how can they both be our job it they're so different? Because we Media Specialists are like fingerprints, no 2 are alike! ( I was going to say snowflakes, but that's not such a complimentary designation these days). So if you're in one of those situations ( I can't think of any others for us MS now), read on!

At the end of the first week, a friend posted that she'd had almost her entire school (which is very large, by the way) in for their initial lessons and were checking out books! Curse you Twitter! What was I doing? Helping with lunch duty, making signage for our custodian, laminating for the office, trying to decide if I'd do a different Orientation this year, sorting out laptops, troubleshooting tech, filling the copy machine, starting my yearly property control report, etc. I'm sure my friend was also doing some of those things, too. But I was trying to do them with the attitude that she wasn't "ahead" of me, nor was I "behind". It's just different!

The next week, I resolved to make a big dent in the Property Control report because we had several laptops "move" over the summer, we acquired lots of new equipment, added to our one-to-one status,  and our online accounting system had to be updated. I sat for 4 hours one day just doing that. Now, this isn't due until mid-October, but I wanted to tackle most of it now, so I don't have to close once I actually do open for the students. And more than that, I needed the peace of mind. So, 2 weeks down and not "open" for students yet, but I was still doing my job...in addition to everything from the second paragraph. Yet that evil Twitter reminded me even more about my fellow MS who were open, and even checking out to Kindergarten! What? I don't get to that until maybe November !!!! Double Curse you, Twitter!

I thought this was supposed to be my "Game Changer" year! I even got to hear author Donalyn Miller speak about that this summer! What happened? Am I not a Game Changer? Can I still get in the Game? Are their different rules for different MS? Of course not, relax Sandy. You're fine, meeting student and staff needs, respecting what your Administration wants you to do to contribute to the school. Brightening the culture. Just coming in the first day with a fresh attitude and welcome to your students (even if it was just car line and lunch duty) can make you a Game Changer! Wherever you are with students and teachers you can preach the Game Changer message of book access for all kids. Your attention to their needs and interests shows your engagement with them, which will translate to their engagement once the library visits start. Wherever students are is an opportunity for me to talk books! Don't disparage not having the formal opening yet...look for those opportunities throughout the day!

So this past week, Week 3, I started Orientations and saw most of our 3-5 grades until Hurricane Dorian prep took precedence on Friday. I had a fun Scavenger Hunt and checked out books! Happy Sandy! Game Changer! Life is beautiful! Yet, I could easily have stayed closed another week to REALLY catch up! I'm blessed to have teachers who know that the classroom procedures and routines are important to teach, so they aren't in a big hurry to have them come for books. And they have good classroom libraries. But there's nothing like the book access I could give them! Happily opening for the year erased the Twitter shame I'd felt. But the experience did remind me that: a. This happens every year, b. Everyone is happy after the first month, c. No one remembers when I opened, d. I could probably not even do Orientations and there wouldn't be much difference in library behavior....just start my usual open access! (but that's another posting: Two types of Media Specialists: those who do Orientations and those who don't...and it probably doesn't matter!)

So I just want to encourage you in whatever state you're in today, relax and enjoy your job, no matter where you are in your "beginning of the year" procedures. What we do is hard work. Some schools are harder than others. But you're in a profession that's vital to your school and your children. You chose this! Embrace the "stuff" that goes with it. Remember the quality time with the children is near. It's all good. If your Administration is happy, that's a good start. They might need their own copy of "Game Changer", but let them get past the initial challenges of a new year before you share it! Don't compare yourself to another MS, unless it's to call you up higher, maybe out of a funk or rut you're in. But remember that we're all different! Not more or less, just different. And that's why I love our profession as Media Specialists!

Hope your year is off to a great start! Now more than ever, stay grounded!

It's That Easy: Just Be Kind!

A few years ago I posted a blog post about retiring…but not yet. The basic premise was that I was in the deferred retirement program and knew the “end was in sight”, but that the celebratory, freeing feeling and attitude that it gave me didn’t have to wait until that fateful day at the end of October, 2020. I could have that attitude everyday, not putting important things off until I had more time, like being with family, working out,  etc.  So now, the end really is nearing and it’s got me thinking about some other things I don’t want to put off. It may become a series, but for now, given my blogging regularity, I’ll settle for one column!

This summer, I had a beach getaway with a girlfriend who retired a couple years ago. She too had been a Media Specialist and made the comment, concerning my last year, that I really can’t “sweat the small stuff” anymore; to have a totally pleasant, fun, memorable final year and not let the usual people and circumstances irritate me the way that I’ve let them in the past. To just let whatever it is that gets under my skin, and there are a few things in that category (but don’t worry, I won’t name names) just bounce off, be Teflon, etc. Wow! What a freeing statement. Simple, yes, but powerful! Yet, why haven’t I been like that all along? Why wait until my final 1 ¼ year to adopt that way of working?

Now, if you don’t know me, you might think, “boy, she must be a real pain to work with, going around being ticked off easily, etc.” Well, no, actually I think I’m quite pleasant! Here’s my Sally Field moment, but I think people like me! But I’m just  pretty good and not letting people know how much they interrupted my very important to do list or agenda; or not reacting to those staff members who don’t share my work ethic; or the teachers who didn’t read my last email about not doing _______________________ (fill in the blank…because they ALWAYS DO IT AND NEVER RESPECT WHAT I DO IN THE MEDIA CENTER!). See…perfectly pleasant and easy going!

But when a situation calls for me to speak up, give gentle reminders, redirect a situation, defend my policies, you can bet I’ll do it…but there are still plenty of times I’ll do a subversive eye-roll and vent when I get home. As I say quite often, and I still think it’s t-shirt worthy, “I’m a Welcome Mat, Not a Door Mat”. I’ve been able to develop pleasant relationships at my school and hope I’ve been able to create an atmosphere of warmth and welcome to all students and teachers.

I’d much rather move on to the next chapter of my life leaving a trail of kindness and joy, and a bunch of laughs if possible! Sometimes I feel like the Heath Ledger Joker with a “why so serious” expression. When what I’d rather have is the love and forgiveness and kindness every day, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE PEOPLE AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!  (just kidding, they probably don’t even read this!). My joy for my work and my life rests in my identity of what my gifts are, and letting everything else fall by the wayside. How freeing! I can resist that temptation to respond negatively to any situation, knowing that it’s not going to be edifying to me or the other person. To be careful to not let any bitterness take root concerning another person, place or experience.  I want to pursue what I’m called to do at my school (and life in general) and do it with my whole heart. To run the race with endurance, as Paul says.

So how are you starting the new  year? Excited?  Anxious?  Looking forward to new relationships, but renewing old ones? Yes to all, I’m sure. But how about picturing those co-workers who you have allowed ( because it’s rarely, if never, deliberate) to rob the joy at your job, and making up your mind to love them, accept them, be kind to them, and let everything else fall by the wayside. Determine to handle situations the same way, and you’ll have a wonderful year. 


I hope you get off to a great 2019-2020 year, Friends! Remember nothing’s more important than showing kindness to someone else and blessing their day. Stay Grounded!