It’s like a horror novel, except it’s really happening. The Los Angeles Times reports that teacher-librarians are being interrogated in court to prove that they use their teaching credential. If they can’t, the district will cut their positions. Apparently, showing up with lesson plans is not enough.
I returned to school for a SECOND GRADUATE DEGREE and teacher certification, to the tune of thousands of dollars, so I could be a school library media specialist. This makes me want to cry.
With the school librarians on trial and school libraries on the verge of closure, is it any wonder that children don’t read?
Liz B
May 17, 2011 at 11:07 pm
I was devastated a few years ago when I applied for a middle school library media specialist position. I have my teaching certificate in English Language Arts and brought an outline that showed how I could complete a library certificate in a year. They didn’t ask a SINGLE QUESTION about books. If I hadn’t seen the library before I’d wonder if they actually HAD books. There’s so much push for teaching librarians to focus on technology that they get no opportunity to teach kids how to choose books, how to evaluate books, how to ENJOY books. Add to that all of the teachers that rely on their librarians for technology instruction, rather than for literacy.
I’m sick with you.
Kirsten
May 18, 2011 at 11:48 am
Liz,
What gets me is this idea that we just sit around and read all day, that all we do is check out books. That simply isn’t true! California has rock bottom reading scores on standardized tests, and studies by Keith Curry Lance show that test scores go up considerably in schools where a professional, certified school library media specialist runs a healthy school media program. Collaborations with teachers- meaning TEACHING with them- are a big part of that!
I’ve just read Kelly Gallagher’s book “Readicide”, and I really recommend it to you. It’s all about fostering a culture of reading in your classroom and school, and it sounds right up your alley. If you’re still in the schools, give it to your colleagues too. Check to see if it’s at your library.