SLIS 794 - Teacher Librarian Interview #3

Interview date: February 25, 2022

Librarian and school: Melissa Zahler at Chicora Elementary School, North Charleston, South Carolina

Shared Foundation:  Engage

While observing Teacher Librarian, Melissa Zahler, at Chicora Elementary School in North Charleston, South Carolina, I had the opportunity to discuss with her what she has learned about implementing the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians and School Libraries shared foundation Engage (American Library Association [ALA], 2017).  My own experience as an elementary school teacher has taught me that keeping students engaged can be one of the most challenging tasks a teacher faces. If students are not interested in what is being taught, respectful, responsible behavior does not naturally follow.  So, talking with her about her experience in the context of the library gave valuable insight to this future school librarian!

When teaching elementary students as young as six years old, a wise educator starts with the basics by laying solid foundations of responsible digital citizenship. Common Sense Education (2019), a reputable provider of digital citizenship education, concurs that teaching students to consciously think about what they are viewing online is an important lesson to impart early on. The Think domain of Engage states that, “School librarians promote ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information by directing learners to responsibly use information technology, and media for learning and modeling this responsible use…” (ALA, 2017, p.112).

Ms. Zahler shared that the main way she implements this competency is by teaching her young charges which databases are safe for them to use and explore. This practice goes hand in hand with her “Question of the Week” routine which simultaneously addresses the domain Share. Share states that, “School librarians promote the responsible, ethical, and legal sharing of new information with a global community by imparting strategies for sharing information resources in accordance with modification, reuse and remix policies…” (ALA, 2017, p.112). The Question of the Week is announced on Monday’s morning news. Participating students must use a database (not Google) to find the answer and submit an answer ticket that indicates what database they used. A few acceptable databases, for example, are Animal Kingdom, CultureGrams, Gale in Context and Britannica. As a reward for their research effort, answer tickets are included in a raffle drawing. Winners receive a fidget toy at the end of the week. Check out the video below (recommended for grades K - 2) from Common Sense Education if you are interested in a resource that promotes safe online behavior with your little charges!

 

Click here for a printable poster of Pause and Think Online lyrics!

Ms. Zahler said that, as an additional perk, her Question of the Week routine solicits natural collaboration with teachers because most recognize it as a group effort and choose to encourage and help students conduct successful research. Other collaboration  also tends to center around assisting students in research, third grade is assigned a Black History month project each year, for example, or takes place as enrichment activities in the library that reinforce classroom curriculum - science themes are a common target.

When asked about challenges she faces implementing the Engage foundation, Ms. Zahler cited meeting diverse needs as a focal point.  She stressed that it is important to always be on the lookout for information sources that take into consideration different learning styles and abilities. Databases with audio features is one that she particularly appreciates and uses frequently with her emerging readers.

References

American Library Association. (2017). National school library standards for learners, school librarians and school libraries. 

Common Sense Education. (2019, August 8). Pause and Think Online [Video].                           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_duZ-1LApg