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!
