ISCI 794: Librarian Interview #4

 

Blue shield with school name
 Media Specialist: Lorri Sawyer
 AASL Standards Shared Foundation: Explore
AASL Standards Domains: Think, Create, Share, Grow 

My final librarian interview was with Mrs. Lorri Sawyer at Carlisle-Foster's Grove Elementary School in Chesnee, South Carolina. Mrs. Sawyer serves students in grades K4 - 5th grade. She sees each class twice weekly as part of their elective time. She has the library space set up so that students can easily locate books of interest and with work stations that students rotate through during their class time. 


The share foundation EXPLORE focuses on fostering learners' curiosity and constructing new knowledge through exploration. Mrs. Sawyer's work stations enable students to explore new ideas using puzzles, art stations, robotics kits, and other problem-solving games. What at first glance looks like play is actually students of all ages engaging in learning! In a world where school classrooms are filled with desks, textbooks, and direct instruction, school libraries are the gateway to exploration and creativity. 


As I reflect on my future career as a school media specialist, the ideas from the librarian interviews are inspiring and motivating to be the best I can be. I want to incorporate aspects of all the librarians I interviewed. Curating a diverse collection that reflects my students, incorporating a MakerSpace and other exploration and creativity stations, and planning story times that help my students discover a love of reading are on my goal list. I want my library to be a place where students feel welcome and seen, inspired and motivated, and excited to visit. I want teachers to see me as a collaborator who is there to support their learning goals and an expert in literacy and technology. I honestly cannot wait to join the ranks of school librarians across the state who are changing schools one day at the time. 

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