iSCI 794: Librarian Interview #3

 

yellow and purple cartoon hornet

Media Specialist: Nicole Scott
AASL Standards Shared Foundation: Collaborate
AASL Standards Domains: Think, Create, Share, Grow


The third librarian I interviewed was Mrs. Nicole Scott at Fairforest Middle School. I chose the shared foundation COLLABORATE because Mrs. Scott has built a culture of shared learning and exploration through her well-stocked and always open MakerSpace. This was the first MakerSpace I have seen in action. Through carefully selected resources and a willingness to open the library before school and allow students to come throughout the day with teacher permission, the MakerSpace at FMS is a hub of communication and collaboration. 


As simple as it seems, the first thing I noticed about the MakerSpace is that many of the activities are collaboration group tasks that are available all day. In one station, there is a jigsaw puzzle that students and teachers can work on whenever they have a chance. This encourages every person in the building to contribute to a common goal. Pixel art sticker posters are also hanging up so anyone who wants to contribute can. It was amazing to see students from different backgrounds, grades, and languages work together and to work with teachers in the building to complete a piece of the art. Everyone was invested in the final piece and would drop by to see the progress. No one was getting a personal reward for participating and it was not mandatory, but everyone added a piece to the puzzle or art when they stopped by the library. I saw this as the easiest way to introduce students to the greater good. And as a librarian, I believe my greatest contribution to the world is to help my students understand the importance of collaboration and how their choices can change the world for the better. 

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