New Job

Welcome back to Lynch's Library!  It was 2010 when I started this blog.  I was taking online courses to get my K-12 library certification in the state of Montana.  I am now in my fourth week of school as a K-12 Library Media Specialist in Victor, Montana, and am very grateful for my training and even more grateful for the help of my predecessor, Vicki Lyngstad.  Without her help, I would be curled up under a table blubbering for my mommy.

Returning students have been very helpful so far.  They are keeping me on track with the Accelerated Reader program and helping me recommend good reads for other students.  I am being reminded to keep things simple and start with the basics.  So far, the most helpful on-line resources have been  http://www.goodreads.com/ and http://hanover.k12.va.us/instruction/media/LessonPlanBook.htm.

Unfortunately, I have been faced with my first tears (not my own).  Having taught only middle and high school English the past 12 years, I have forgotten just how sensitive the younger ones can be.  Telling a kindergartner she wasn't in the computer system didn't seem like a big deal to me until I told her it meant she wouldn't be able to check out a book until we entered the information.  Fortunately, the problem was quickly remedied and the tears dried up.  Being a K-12 librarian means I must be able to shift gears quickly and often.

Here is where I thank my time with Missoula Children's Theatre for preparing me to do just that.  We would have kids as young as five and as old as 18 participate in an hour-long musical we would put together and perform in a week.  It's an amazing program and I gleaned a myriad of skills in my three tours with them.

I hope to chronicle my experiences here and welcome any feedback.  Happy reading!