first day of the rest of my life
Coming to the education profession late in life I feel I am not up to speed. But if I was 25 I wouldn't be up to speed either. I might have a few years to develop, though I would suspect I would feel the same as I do now: frustrated that I don't have all the answers.
I am not sure how to view being a school librarian at this day and time, as it might compare to a generation ago. It is really hard for me to say, since it was about 20 from the time I graduated high school to the point I stepped in a public school again. For the education itself, it might be like comparing apples to apple sauce. Quite similar, but expressing in different forms.
My memory of those high school years is pretty hazy. I'm not even sure my high school had a library. Either that is how out of it I was, or how little my high school used it as a tool. In fact, there was a public library across the street from my high school. I hardly ever went inside. My mom would pick me up from school some times and that was our meeting place, but I waited outside. My mom was once an hour late and I still didn't go in.
I know one thing for sure, I don't remember the students back there being any more motivated to step outside their world than they are now.
For example, I remember taking a current events class where I was one of the smartest merely because I read the newspaper and watched the nightly news. Well I wasn't the smartest, I was just prepared. I would guess the average student is even less prepared or media savvy now, mainly because they think a blog is news. They think myspace is the place to learn. I know what you are reading has less to do with facts than an apple press.
I also know in my high school class of 1,000 kids, only about 850 graduated. I am guessing it was much better accepted back then --- kids not graduating that is.
One thing is for sure --- though I don't have statistics or a glass of cider --- but if a student has decided not to learn, education is tough. (related story) It doesn't mater if it 1970 or 2006. You can make not learning so unbearable that they give in; you could find something he or she likes and hope you can relate information to it. But really, it is tough.
In the library there are students that come and have decided they are not going to do anything for the next 40 minutes. I know I should send them back, but I want the library to be a friendly place. I have to say at times I am losing. In the attempt to be friendly, I am 'shhhh-ing' and 'please be quiet' and 'could you get back on track' to the point of annoyance. I suppose I might as well just have them not be there and cut out the middle 'shushing.'
Perhaps what is the most frustrating is 70 percent of the students are working and getting things done so they can go play baseball or practice the play or play video games all night. Those are the kids I want to remember at the end of the day.
There are a couple kids that are taking independent classes that are quiet work hard and if they need my help, I have not heard them ask for it. I think tomorrow I change.
I am not sure how to view being a school librarian at this day and time, as it might compare to a generation ago. It is really hard for me to say, since it was about 20 from the time I graduated high school to the point I stepped in a public school again. For the education itself, it might be like comparing apples to apple sauce. Quite similar, but expressing in different forms.
My memory of those high school years is pretty hazy. I'm not even sure my high school had a library. Either that is how out of it I was, or how little my high school used it as a tool. In fact, there was a public library across the street from my high school. I hardly ever went inside. My mom would pick me up from school some times and that was our meeting place, but I waited outside. My mom was once an hour late and I still didn't go in.
I know one thing for sure, I don't remember the students back there being any more motivated to step outside their world than they are now.
For example, I remember taking a current events class where I was one of the smartest merely because I read the newspaper and watched the nightly news. Well I wasn't the smartest, I was just prepared. I would guess the average student is even less prepared or media savvy now, mainly because they think a blog is news. They think myspace is the place to learn. I know what you are reading has less to do with facts than an apple press.
I also know in my high school class of 1,000 kids, only about 850 graduated. I am guessing it was much better accepted back then --- kids not graduating that is.
One thing is for sure --- though I don't have statistics or a glass of cider --- but if a student has decided not to learn, education is tough. (related story) It doesn't mater if it 1970 or 2006. You can make not learning so unbearable that they give in; you could find something he or she likes and hope you can relate information to it. But really, it is tough.
In the library there are students that come and have decided they are not going to do anything for the next 40 minutes. I know I should send them back, but I want the library to be a friendly place. I have to say at times I am losing. In the attempt to be friendly, I am 'shhhh-ing' and 'please be quiet' and 'could you get back on track' to the point of annoyance. I suppose I might as well just have them not be there and cut out the middle 'shushing.'
Perhaps what is the most frustrating is 70 percent of the students are working and getting things done so they can go play baseball or practice the play or play video games all night. Those are the kids I want to remember at the end of the day.
There are a couple kids that are taking independent classes that are quiet work hard and if they need my help, I have not heard them ask for it. I think tomorrow I change.
posted by Library Monkey at 9:30 PM
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