Why are you where you are?

Friends,

A recent conversation with some students gave me pause for reflection that I wanted to share. Here's what happened:

An annual event in our district is a Battle of the Books for fourth grade. I accompanied our team of 4 girls to the downtown Convention Center for the district finals. It is quite an exciting experience for our students, who rarely get out of their neighborhoods. So I try to make it as fun and prolonged as possible. On our way back to school, we stopped at a local ice cream stand, which is practically a historic landmark for our area. A treat for all! A dipped ice cream cone at 10:30 in the morning! After returning to school, I was talking to some other 4th grade girls about how our school's team did in the Battle. However, they were even more interested in the fact that we stopped at Bo's for ice cream on our way back to school. I remarked that I'd never been there and loved it. "We love that place!" "We go there all the time!" "I love everything they have!" "But why haven't you ever been there, Mrs. Penvose?"

I said I'd never been because there are places closer to my house where I go for ice cream, etc. "Don't you live around here?" "Well, I'm not far, but I live in _______________ , which is only 20 minutes away." They seemed shocked.

"And you teach here?" "Yes"

"Why do you come clear over here?" "It's really not that far...and besides, you girls are here!"

"Why don't you teach at ________________ or a better school?" (ouch!)"Yes, Mrs. P, it's too rough here!"  "But I don't want to teach at ________________...I love it here!"

They didn't quite know how to respond to that, but I was left with such sadness. They had such a low opinion of our school and probably felt the teachers were of the same opinion. In the past we have had a high turnover, and I realized the students might take it personally. There was no continuity, no sense of knowing all of their teachers, or having that bond in knowing they could go visit a previous teacher to make that school connection.  These girls just didn't know that some of us teachers, for the most part, choose where we teach and that some of us really DO want to be here!

What message are you giving your students? That you're at your school because you like them, or because you don't have a choice? Because it's convenient? Are you putting your time in until a "better" school opens up? Or that your current school IS the place where you WANT to be...or more importantly, that your kids are the ones you WANT to teach and are the ones you CARE about? In a time when things are more fragmented and uncertain, we need to let the students know that they're loved and accepted, no matter what the school situation or climate....and we must communicate that in every way and speak proudly of our school, not disparagingly. To use an expression we've heard a few times at my school this year, "Students don't care what you know until they know that you care".

Our school is a home for many of my students. Within the school, the place that gives students a warm feeling is our media center. It is unique to the rest of the building and easily draws students into it to see the many gifts it has to offer. Let's warmly welcome them and assure them that we have a gift we freely want to offer each and every one of them. It'll  help keep us grounded!

Indispensable to Who? (or is it Whom?)

My older brother posted a posthumous Happy Birthday to my younger brother John, who passed away last year. He would have been 55 today. Wait, I thought, 55? No way, because I'm 5 years older than him. So that would make me.... never mind! Once in a while we get a wake up call like that. Reality. What are we doing with our life?  Are we still making a difference? Who are we influencing and in what way? Do we matter or are we replaceable?

Our Media Specialists have been studying Doug Johnson's book "The Indispensable Librarian" this year and it has given us plenty of food for thought and fodder for discussion. We like to think that we are irreplaceable in our jobs, but life is fragile and we are learning that the lives we touch are more important than some of the stuff that we pursue. I'd rather hope that I'm the Indispensable Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Friend, etc. The people I reach in my job are more important than some of the stuff I tend to focus and spend my time on. Not to diminish the value of what I do daily, with lessons, projects, pursuing grants and other materials to improve the experiences of our students and craft of the teachers, but in the end, I want to have made a difference in their lives with the human factor.

While I can agonize over the rigor of my library lessons, my heart is lifted as I stand on dismissal duty at the intersection I call "The Perfect Storm": K, 1, and 2 meeting 3, 4, and 5. The Kindergarten students, following months of library lessons still make a rolling motion with their arms and say "round and round across the ground, making a thumping, bumping sound" from our October lesson on "The Runaway Pumpkin"...and I love it! So if that's all they remember, ok with me... they remember something fun from the library!

We're in unique positions as Media Specialists or Librarians. We affect all of the students of our schools, not just 18 or 24 or whatever the class size du jour is. And we influence all of the teachers, some parents, district officials and more. What's your message? How about letting them know that they are important, listened to, cared for, respected and supported. You know, the stuff you appreciate from the higher ups!

Let them know that THEY are indipensable to YOU!

It's What We Do!

I was recently invited to be a "guest speaker" at my grandson's daycare during Community Helpers week. An honor! I packed an assortment of hats that we use on the Morning Show and went to the day care to present as a Librarian and describe the many hats we wear. It was nice to know that my skills could be utilized beyond my school and library.o

So I'd put a different hat on, and then read a story, telling how that hat related to what I do as a Librarian. One of the best books that I use, related to my job overall, is "Buy My Hats" by Dave Horowitz. At the end of it all, the teachers were amazed at how attentive the children were.

 "They usually won't sit still for more than 2 stories and you had them wanting more after 5 stories! Amazing!" I just smiled and said, "Well, it's what I do!" Keeping a group of kids captivated with a story, adding some silly costumes, being a big ham, engaging kids with some cool stories. Yes, it's what I do! A small part of my job as a school librarian, but it's what I do.
Maybe I don't get to do it as much as I'd like anymore, without a pre-test, questioning, post-assessment, exit tickets, etc. for storytime, but it's still a skill I have in my bag of library tricks! As Liam Neeson said in "Taken", "... what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career." 

As our jobs and libraries change, we  maintain and acquire more and more skills which are unique to our profession. Don't lose heart that you can't use them all the time or even at all for the time being. You never know when they'll come in handy! Don't feel as if your skills are obsolete or not appreciated. Hone them, improve on them, add to them and have them ready when there might be a need. Sometimes we equate not having our skills used or asked for as not being appreciated. But what are we doing to let people know that we have them? Or how are we modifying them to suit the current needs of our schools?

Are we bemoaning the fact that we can't tell stories anymore, or are we seeing how to work those skills into being a 21st Century Librarian? Are you blaming the "system" and efforts to evaluate your performance for not being the good old-fashioned librarian that you got into the business for, or are you trying to change into the librarian who people can count on to be the professional who seeks not your own agenda, but what's best for the children and the school.

My school has had 3 different Principals in 3 years. Their leadership styles have all been very different, along with how they viewed my role, the place of the media center and my participation in the school's leadership team. With each administration I had I had to sit back at first, reflect on why I was there, and ramp up my efforts to promote what the library has for them and the students. To paraphrase "The Godfather", "It was business, not personal."

So as I said to the day care teachers, "It's what I do". This week, you'll be faced with situations that challenge your feelings or security, but remind yourself of the bigger picture and what you know you offer to the students. It will help you stay grounded.  Come on, folks, it's what we do!

Flea Market Finds!

Ahh October! Crisp weather, changing leaves, apples and cider, pumpkins and pumpkin spice latte...wait, I'm in Florida....how about 80 degrees in the afternoon and wearing orange t-shirts and flipflops? Oh well, as a former resident Yankee, I still remember the beauty of this time of year. And I'm adding pumpkin pie spice to my morning coffee...yum! But the cooler temperatures mean something else in the Penvose house: let's go to the Flea Market! Yes, the weather is bearable enough to go early on the weekend and check out the fleas. My husband LOVES the Flea Market, so our trips are more to make him a happy camper and I muster up my best supportive wife mojo and go along. However, this past weekend was more fruitful for me as we  ventured to our nearby market. I found a very cool plant, Pink Powder Puff, that I'm hoping I do justice to, and 3 great books at a used book stall...and even got a teacher discount...I'm a fan!

Like the Flea Market, I like to promote promote my Media Center as having "something for everyone". And when I get there I wonder why I shop anywhere else (well, almost!). Books? Produce? Clothes? Plants? Sunglasses? Antiques? E-cigarettes (seem to be the  popular item at  the moment)? Eye-glass cleaner? Fishing equipment? Ad infinitum... So while I'm thinking, can I compare to such a broad offering for my customers, I'm also looking at how my Media Center merchandise, I mean books and computers and such, are featured and priced. On that front, my Media Center is ahead of the flea market. Nothing is more frustrating when shopping for stuff than not knowing the price, looking over tons of stuff on shelves that haven't been "weeded" since I was there 2 years ago, or not having the booth owner available for questions. And so as I make my way through the mess of all of the things that I know I need, I'm frustrated at not finding it very easily.

So is your Media Center from the Flea Market style of marketing, or is it well marked, up to date, and is the "owner" available if the customers have questions? It's something I think we need to be continually evaluating and reviewing. We may get our customers in the doors of our "markets" with our rich and appealing collections and activities, but how many can find their ways around, find Biscuit or Magic Tree House books on their own, know what computers to use, etc. Take a look around your space this week and see what you can do to make it more user friendly. We want our customers to leave happy with something they really want, not just "fleas".

I hope you have a great week, in whatever part of the country you are! Send me your feedback at spenvose@msn.com.  Have some Pumpkin Spice coffee and Stay Grounded, friends!

Storytellers or Story-Listeners?

As  Media Specialists and Librarians, we are in the business of meeting needs. Needs of our students, needs of the teachers and administrators, needs of parents, community and others in our districts. It's what we do. We're good at it. We can find a book, resource, troubleshooting tip, or reading reward better than anyone else. Kind of like the old "Name That Tune"..."Yes, Billy, I can find that baseball book with the orange cover and the kids on the front with the scribbling inside in 10 minutes!". Sometimes we are so focused on meeting the needs that we lose sight of the people we are working with and why we're there. We aren't evaluated on how many distressed students we lead to the right book or magazine, we can't measure the frustrated teachers who we miraculously locate 20 copies of the same book for; there isn't data for "Number of parents who you took the time to lead to a just right book for their child when they feel lost in a sea of too much information". Yet, it's just this human factor that is so vital today.

I've been reading a life-changing book, "The Insanity of God" by Nik Ripken; one of a few on my summer reading list that somehow didn't get finished in the summer. However, it is not one to hurry through. It's the true story of a man who has extensively researched the persecuted church in nearly 60 countries. In one heart-rending story after another he tells the story of how faith survives and even flourished in places that are overcome with the darkness of sin, despair and hopelessness. One particular account cut me to the quick. He was with a relief group in Somaliland trying to help people who were living in incredibly horrible conditions. His focus was on what basic needs they lacked. One day, he approached a bent-over, shriveled-up woman with the usual list of questions: "Do you need food? Is your baby sick? Do your children need clothes? Do you have shelter? Do you need a burial cloth?" All of the items needed to meet her physical needs could be provided. She replied by sharing a story with him about her background, how she came to be in the desperate situation he found her in. It began as any of our stories might: normal family, working father, good marriage and children...but then turned to events that we only see on the nightly news: The war came, the militia came through the village stealing, slaughtering beating and destroying what they could. She was able to escape, but a drought came, her children died or were stolen. She was now in the city, knowing no one, and having nothing. Ripken slowed down long enough to find out what she needed most. He realized that what these devastated people needed was for someone to sit for awhile, or stand with them and let them share their stories. He was amazed to see the power of human presence. In his pride, he thought he knew exactly what these people needed, but he would never have thought to put "Conversation" or "Human connection" on his list.

How about you? Is "Conversation" or "Human connection" on your list this year? Will you have or make time to learn more about your students than the fact that they have 3 overdue books from 3 different schools? There has to be a reason...don't assume you know it! Will you be able to lead a new teacher, obviously overwhelmed,  through a one-on-one lesson in how to locate a book in your library...or just hand them a brochure because you're too busy to give them the attention? As I was meeting with our Intermediate classes last week for their Orientations, I had a few letters with overdue notices attached, for books from both out media center or others in the district. I had the usual assortment of reactions: they had the book in their bookbag, they returned it at their old school, they lost it and wouldn't pay for it...you can supply some more, I'm sure. But the majority were pretty blasé about the notices. However, as the classes were dismissed to go browse for books and checkout, one new student, Shyann, sat quietly looking at the paper. An unwanted tear started forming in one eye, which she tried to dismiss. This outwardly tough and tall fifth grade girl was reacting to more than receiving an overdue book letter. As her table emptied, I approached her with my usual response to crying students, I had to fight back the tears myself! I sat with her and asked if she wanted to tell me anything. With a little coaxing, she opened up and I, like Nik Ripken, was humbled to make a human connection with this girl  in the midst of a busy and hectic class. We both wiped our eyes and I led her to the shelves where she was able to select a book to checkout. "Conversation"? Check. "Human Connection"? Check.

As Nik Ripken said, there was much more to the suffering Somalis than their overwhelming physical needs. Their stories convinced him that it would never be enough merely to feed and shelter them. We do that much for animals. Can we find time to meet some of the deeper needs: conversation, a few minutes of listening, some human connection...that will enrich not only their lives, but also ours?
Without that, we're missing something valuable.

I hope your year is starting off with some meaningful human connections. In our busy, jam-packed days that don't seem to get any easier, it's something worth taking time for. It helps keep me stay grounded. It will do the same for you, friends!

To Market, To Market!

This summer I was able to return to a couple things that have been sadly neglected: my house and my physical condition. Both have suffered from being on the back burner for too long. The gym workouts will be the topic of another blog post, but in reacquainting myself with cleaning my house and the appropriate cleaning products (is there an expiration date for those?), I was quite surprised by an ad on the Swiffer pads. Now I'm not saying it's been awhile since I used them, but did you know that Mike Myers is coming out with a "Cat in the Hat Movie"? Don't have high hopes for that one.

This summer I also was able to take a workshop in our district entitled "Marketing Your Media Center". It's a topic I'm very interested in and hoped to come away with some practicial, doable things that would help me promote my library and show others how great it is and market the many things we have to offer. I was not disappointed. Our trainer, a master teacher and trainer, had done his homework for what we need as Media Specialists, and explained it all in ways that were easy for any of us to understand. While we want to think that our "customers"already know what we do, we can never assume that. Just because it's important to you, it might not be important to others until you tell them that. Tell them, tell them why they need to know it, and how it will help them. This isn't Algebra (when are we ever going to use this?), it's addition and subtraction! What we have to offer to their lives is enrichment and excitement! Not using what we have to offer will diminish their effectiveness and learning, whether a teacher, student, administrator, or  community member.

Friends, we can never express that we're tired of telling what we do. We can never stop promoting and marketing our services. Consider your Media Center a business that needs customers to stay afloat. And you're a business owner who wants to stay relevant and necessary. And employed! You  are already doing fabulous things, just let others know about it. As our trainer said, it's not necessarily a loud "Look at ME!" but more a "Fluffing the Pillow"... and who doesn't like that?

I was recently sitting with some women at a conference discussing children, hair, diets, etc. and I said that in a few years I wanted to go with the Judi Dench look. No one knew who she was. I was kind of  surprised; I thought these were  women who would know that gifted actress. We were all close to the same age, and I figured we all knew the same cultural figures. Apparently not! So I described the look...all the while thinking what else did I assume they knew in the course of our conversation? Folks,  don't assume! So it is when we describe things, programs, even books in our Media Centers. Don't use some lingo that is exclusive to the world of Media...especially in technology. Know your audience and do your marketing and promotion at that level.

In my district we'll be back to work August 11, although many of my media colleagues have gone in earlier. It's time to start thinking about our advertising campaigns. How are you going to market your library brand? What do people need to know that you do (yes, I know...everything!!!!). Do you have something new to market/show off/explain? Whatever it is, be enthusiastic, aggressive, persistent and consistent about it. Not just a one shot thing at a Faculty Orientation. Be that Energizer Bunny and keep going and going and going to get the word about about all your valuable offerings.

Hope you get off to great start, yet maintain the peace and relaxation you attained this summer to stay grounded!

Sandy Penvose

Join This Clean Plate Club!

I don't know how many of you grew up during the era when children were starving in _______________ (fill in the blank), but I was always encouraged to clean my plate so that my mom wouldn't have to slip the meatloaf and lima beans in an envelope and send it far away to someone who would appreciate it. Unfortunately, I held on to that creed into my adult years, thinking I was a good responsible human being if I just "cleaned my plate". Even more unfortunately, it led to me "cleaning my wallet" as I participated in an amazing number of attempts to lose the consequences of cleaning those endless plates of food. I could probably solve a small country's hunger problems with what I forked out (or was that forked in?). But I digress...

There is another aspect of cleaning your plate that has more positive results. Now that we are on our summer break, it's a good time to reflect on how we can best "clean our plates" in our media centers and libraries. Clean them both literally and figuratively. I know that as I prepare to exit for the year, determined to leave when everyone else does (ha!) I usually resort to a massive toss of papers, etc. into my desk drawers and any other available storage space, to be tackled "when we come back". However this year, I had to prepare for a major carpet replacement, due to being flooded a few years ago. Yeah! Carpet! So starting early with packing books, moving computers, and putting any movable item that the media secretary or I could carry out of the way, my cleaning mojo got to work overtime. So much so, that I started getting rid of items that just took up space, unused furniture (atlas table, anyone?), or just didn't reflect my 21st Century library! A friend even e-mailed me to inquire if I was okay, you know, dividing up the spoils before permanently checking out? I assured her that I was better than ever. There's something about clearing your space, or plate, that energizes you to see your media center in a whole new light. Oh, the possibilities for next year!

Then there's the figurative "cleaning your plate" that is equally energizing and motivating. Another media friend confided that she might leave the media world to be a regular classroom teacher (as opposed to us "irregulars"). When asked why, she said it was all just too much. Like what, I pressed. And she proceeded to list at least 10 things that really have nothing to do with general media duties, or even moving our children ahead academically or motivationally in reading. You know, the kind of stuff that we big-hearted media folks take on, because no one else will, or we happen to be at the meeting where this stuff is doled out. I told her I don't do any of those things, and we are both in very large elementary schools, with only slightly different demographics. Just say no, I told her...or in other words, "Clean your plate"! If we use the excuse that "no one else will do it" then maybe it's not important since no one else will do it! If they (those evil they's) think you can do it because you seem to have the time, well you'd better be using your time better, my friend, in the programs and classes that will move your students ahead, not count or collect money that anyone else could do. (wait, check those new guidelines on handling money....just don't do it for the whole school!). You know what I'm getting at.

 Take time this summer to reflect on what really needs to be cleaned off of your plate at school. Whether it's a room arrangement that inhibits student movement or encourages misbehavior, materials that belong in Beaver Cleaver's classroom, activities that aren't in your overloaded job description, or other things, how can you return to school in August refreshed and recharged and ready for action? Starting with a clean plate, or slate, can do wonders for your personally and professionally. You'll get there, just begin with a small change at a time. It's easy once you get started.

It'll give you that priceless peace of mind that will help you to Stay Grounded!