2017 Review and 2018 Goals

Looking back on 2017, it was an amazing year! So much went on in our library I can't begin to recap everything but here are some highlights:

• We traveled to 7 different countries, 4 continents, and thousands of miles during virtual field trips, author visits, and Mystery Skypes.
• We collaborated on research projects, STEM challenges, and dove head first into our MakerSpace challenges.
• We celebrated World Read Aloud Day by Skyping with authors around the world and Read Across America by hosting the athletic teams from Richmond Hill High School.
• We rewarded our top readers of Book BINGO with laser tag
• We started our zen coloring station for students and staff.
• We celebrated our summer reading program by hosting a breakfast for all the students who completed their choice in summer reading as well as partnering with Midnight Star Pottery for students to make their own star reader pottery and a new book.
• We genrefied our fiction and nonfiction selections to help motivate our reluctant readers and expose students to different types of reading materials. We began diversifying our collection.
• We added 30 iPads and collaborative stations thanks to our amazing PTSO which we have been using to teach information literacy skills, hosting the Hour of Code, app smashing with Flipgrid, and giving students a voice in their library.
• This isn’t even all the amazing day to day, heart to heart activities, talks, learning experiences, and readers advisory that went on with our students and staff.

In addition to the library programs I have offered throughout the year, I was also able to meet some pretty exciting professional goals:

• I graduated with my Specialist in Education from University of Georgia.
• I became a Certified Google Educator, Level 1.
• I became a Level 2 Flipgrid Certified Educator and just found out I made it into the Ambassador program!
• I became an Epic! Master Teacher!
• I continued my work as a Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator and certified Symbaloo educator.

I truly believe setting goals and keeping track of progress has helped me achieve so many of my goals for 2017.  Going into 2018, I am reminding myself of the goals I set for our library at the beginning of the year, but I think I am going to narrow down my focus to three important wedges of the Future Ready Librarian Framework.

The power of encouraging students to create is indescribable. Often times, librarians or teacher librarians might be the only adults providing opportunities for learners to innovate in school.  This doesn't only mean in the MakerSpace, Tinker Station, whatever you call your innovative space! Frequently I have students who bring in stories they have written or drawings they have created. They also tell me about the fan fiction or Manga they are wanting to write and draw. These opportunities are perfect for us as educators to show interest in student work in the same ways we observe and encourage their MakerSpace innovations. Libraries house the perfect space and environment for students to create anything new! When we show interest, we empower our students.  Our school hallways are full of students brainstorming creations just waiting to happen.  How can we as librarians or educators better encourage our learners? We never know what future author or engineer is waiting for positive feedback or thumbs up.  Encouragement and empowerment can change a student's life!

Supporting instruction is one of the school library's most valuable functions.  As leaders of change, trends in educational technology, and expertise in reading instruction, we have a wealth of resources and skills for assisting teachers and students in learning.  This was a main focus of mine in 2017 and I am going to continue building on the relationships I built to help collaborate and work with our teachers even more in 2018.  This year, I really hope the ripple effect will take hold with some of the teachers I do not work with as often such as our 2nd grade teachers and our specials staff (I'm looking at you Art and Music!).

As the demand on our teachers to incorporate technology and reading more authentically increases, the need for more professional learning rises.  I have been working hard on learning G Suite for elementary students (follow #GAFE4littles on Twitter for some great ideas) and becoming a Google Certified Educator.  This year, I would love to work towards the Level 2 certification and offering professional learning through my Bagels, Books, and Bytes series more often as well as embedded professional learning as I collaborate with teachers.

On a more personal note, one of my goals this year is to read more. My goal this year is 25 books other than picture books! What books do you think should be on my must read list?! 

I would love to hear what your 2018 goals are! Let's work together to be accountable and lift each other up on our journey.  Comment below or find me on Twitter!