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Elementary Librarian

Library lesson plans and ideas for the school librarian. Lessons incorporate Common Core and AASL standards.

Member of the Week Tabitha Nolen

 

 

Today's Member of the Week is Tabitha Nolen. Tabitha works at Unity Point School District 140 in Carbondale, IL. She has been a school librarian for two years.

We asked Tabitha some questions about her experience as a school librarian and we would like to share them with you.

What's your favorite thing about your job as a school librarian?

I love that I get to work with children, and share my favorite thing with them -- my love of books!!

Name one children's book that you couldn't live without in your library.

If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen

Tell us why you decided to join the Elementary Librarian Community. What's your favorite thing about it?

The previous librarian at my school told me about Elementary Librarian on Facebook. I liked the page and saw updates. During my first year as the full time school librarian, I was nervous about my lessons and connecting them to standards, on top of all other job responsibilities, so I decided to join the Elementary Librarian Community for some ideas. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! This was exactly what I was looking for, and has really helped me to be successful as a school librarian!

What's the biggest challenge you're currently facing when it comes to your school library?

The biggest challenge I face in my school's library is time. I am the only librarian for a PreK-8 school, and we have a part-time aide, but there is so much work to be done, that I WANT to do to make the library experience the best it can be for my kiddos, and there is just never enough time in a day!

If you could give one piece of advice to a brand new school librarian (or someone considering becoming a school librarian), what would it be?

My advice to a new school librarian or someone considering becoming a school librarian, is to find someone or a community that you can count on for advice, where you can ask any question anytime and get some answers! I referred to a retired librarian, as well as the Elementary Librarian Community. Without these 2, I don't think I would have been as successful in my first year as a school librarian.

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Worth more than I paid!

"I am so glad I found the Elementary Librarian lesson plans! The fact that these plans were easy to use and were aligned to both the AASL and Common Core ELA standards made them worth far more that what I paid for them!"

All the work is done for me!

"This will be my 7th year and until your plans I have been spinning my wheels trying to come up with solid plans each week. I had planned on spending all summer trying to figure out my “years” plans, but you have done all the work for me."

My students are engaged!

"I was thrilled to discover your treasure trove of resources. After two years of doing it “my way,” I decided to utilize the center approach and do it “your” way. The students are engaged and I see them using the knowledge the lessons give them."

My principal was impressed!

"Your lesson plans with the Common Core and AASL 21st Century Standards were a life saver! My principal looked through my plan binder and was completely floored that EVERY lesson had both sets of standards."