Dusting Off the Cyber Cobwebs

It has been a long time since I posted to this blog. But today,  I'm dusting off the cyber cobwebs so to speak, and will resume posting about things regarding school libraries, technology,  products, useful tools, IB, books, and much more!  

School Principals Needed

The McNeil Foundation for Ecumenical Leadership has announced a job opportunity for those who want to go into school leadership.
They are searching for principals for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.
You must be willing to relocate to San Antonio, Texas.
Other requirements: Arts background preferred. Familiarity with charter schools is a must. For more information about this opportunity send an email to: mcneilfoundation@yahoo.com

PD Opportunity: Library Summit

Have you registered for the 2013 Region 10/Dallas ISD Library Summit?
The one day conference for Dallas ISD librarians is also open to librarians who work in districts that are members of the Region 10 ESC Library Services Co-Op. It is a great professional development opportunity for librarians gearing up for the start of the school year. The one day conference typically includes a keynote speaker who is notable in the world of librarianship & school librarianship. Past keynote speakers include Kristin Fontichiaro and Dr. Ross Todd. This year the keynote speaker is Dr. Joyce Valenza. There will also be workshops and a vendor exhibit. Registration is still open for this event. To register visit http://www.region10.org. 

Summit on the Education of African American Students in the Dallas Independent School District

The Summit on the Education of African-American Students in the Dallas Independent School District was held at Friendship West Baptist Church on April 5-6, 2013. The Summit was very informative. However, more teachers, administrators, parents, and community members should have been in attendance. Perhaps this can be an annual event in which problems, solutions, and progress can be recognized.  Highlights from the Friday session include a speech by Commissioner John Wylie Price. Price outlined the history of education in America and in Dallas as it relates to African-Americans. He then criticized the current superintendent Mike Miles saying that he is" not ready for the job of leading an urban school district", and that he has targeted African-American female principals like Ms. Marrian Willard at Madison High School. Superintendent Miles gave a presentation on the huge achievement gap between African-American and other students in the district. His solutions: transformation as he called it. He called for the following: a great teacher in every classroom, touted the new principal evaluation system, Spot observations of teachers, his destination 20/20 plan, and spoke about plans for the strategic feeder patterns of Lincoln, Pinkston, and Madison where test scores are low and the drop out rates are high. Later a panel of CASE members, and parents took questions from the audience and posed several questions to the superintendent. As a librarian, one question I found interesting was about the digital divide, and the fact that minority students in the district do not have access to the internet along with tech devices (computers and tablets) outside of school; given that some schools do not have computer teachers in the building how would the district address this issue? Miles stated that the district is looking at ways that teachers can integrate technology into lessons, and that they are hiring people who are PC and MAC literate along with one to one computer initiatives for students. The "hiring people who are PC and MAC literate" is a red flag as many believe that the superintendent is targeting older teachers for non renewal of contracts some of whom may not be as tech savvy as young teachers fresh out of college.

The Saturday morning session included speeches from Texas State Senator Royce West, TEA Commissioner Michael Williams, and Dennis Bega from the Department of Education. West stated that he is an advocate in the legislator for public education. He criticized Michael William's proposed change to the school rating system from Exemplary, Recognized etc. to a letter grade of A, B, C, D, and F. "No child wants to attend or graduate from a school labeled F." stated West. But West touted Charter schools saying we must look at other public options. West also expressed concern about graduation plans that Texas students are currently on. He talked about the fact that a large percentage of African-American students are on the basic graduation plan which does not prepare them to attend college. Michael Williams answered questions about what is going on in Austin in regards to the new STAAR EOC tests and the possibility of reducing the required 15 tests to graduate from high school to 5. He thinks that 7 tests should be the right number and the subjects to be tested should be thought out as well. He also touched on proposed changes to graduation plans and endorsements.  Mr. Bega from the Department of Education talked about how the President is also concerned about the achievement gap between African-American students and their counter parts that has existed for decades. Hence, the White House Initiate on Excellence in African-American Education began this spring with the appointment of David  J. Johns as it's director. The Department of Education plans to look at issues like best practices in instruction to ensure our students are college and career ready along with college affordability, STEM education, minorities in the teaching profession, (K-12 & Higher Ed.) and a whole host of other issues that impact education for African-American students. Following Bega's presentation a panel of assistant superintendents from various districts, DISD Board members, and a parent answered questions about what they were doing to address the achievement gap. The Saturday session ran past schedule, and I left during the panel discussion. However, I am looking for a post from the Dallas Morning News Education Blog to give a recap of the Summit's events. Librarians can play a vital role in addressing the achievement gap by: introducing and exposing students to literature by African-American and Hispanic authors, book clubs and other innovative reading promotion activities, collection development with an eye on stories that are of high interest to minority students that include characters of various backgrounds, increased collaboration between teachers and librarians on lessons and projects, integrate technology and show students innovative ways to present information using tech like Prezi, Animoto, etc. teaching students the information search and retrieval skills needed to be college and workforce ready, and much more. Librarians: get involved in the discussion! Talk about the role we can play in reducing the achievement gap then take action on your campus! 

New Opportunity: M. Ed. Urban Schools

Teachers and librarians: Do you live in the DFW area? Are you looking to go into school leadership? Well, the M. Ed Urban Schools program at SMU may be for you! Visit the Teaching Trust website to learn more about this program and how to apply. There have been two cohorts in the program, and some cohort members have already been hired as school administrators in schools in the DFW area! Take note applications for this program are due on February 4th! Don't miss out! This is an extradorinary opportunity to go into school leadership, and scholarships are available! 

Educator Appreciation Days at BN

New year, new opportunities to save! Need books for your classroom or yourself? Then take advantage of Educator Appreciation Days at Barnes and Noble. From January 12-20, 2013 you can get 25% off purchases for yourself or for your classroom. 10% off DVDs and music. Be sure to bring along your school id or other proof of employment as an educator and obtain your Barnes and Noble Educator Card. The card allows you to take advantage of discounts year round. (See website for more details) Many stores also have events during appreciation days where educators can learn about new technology, grant-writing, and register to win a giveaway like a Barnes and Noble gift card. Click here to see what is going on at a store near you! The last day to take advantage of the discounts is tomorrow. So, make a list and head to Barnes and Noble!

TWU wins IMLS Grant

Good news out of Denton, TX. Dr. Maria Cahill Assistant Professor at Texas Woman's University has won an Institute of  Museum and Library Services grant. The nearly half million dollar grant will allow TWU to partner with the Texas Library Association, and the Dallas Public Library on a master's level program.  The three partners will pull their resources together to train and educate librarians in the area of early literacy and provide them with the tools to serve communities with underrepresented populations. This looks to be an excellent opportunity for future librarians.Congrats Dr. Cahill and TWU!   Looking forward to hearing additional details on the program.
 In the meantime, for more information on the grant announcement visit the following link:
http://www.imls.gov/news/lb21_grant_announcement.aspx#TX

To learn more about the Texas Library Association visit: http:/www.txla.org/ and the Dallas Public Library: visit: http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/
To learn more about Texas Woman's University School of Library and Information Sciences visit:  http://www.twu.edu/slis/

Follett Shelf

Librarians: I am in the midst of setting up Follett Shelf for one of my campuses. I've started the collection with professional titles that teachers and staff can use. If you are a Follett Shelf user I'd like to hear from you! Did you initially set up Follett Shelf for staff to use to access professional titles? For those of you who have made Follett Shelf available to staff & students, did you do an export & import of patron information from your circulation system in order to set up user accounts?   What feedback have you received from your staff and students who have used Follett Shelf?  Lots of questions here. Hope to get some useful information from librarians & teachers alike.

library Things and Twitter

Be sure to follow the library Things Twitter feed: @libraryThings23.  After visiting the ALA JobLIST Placement center in Dallas, I posted a tweet about my experience there. The tweet was retweeted by @ALA_JobLIST to its more than 5,000 twitter followers! The tweet was also featured in the ALA JobLIST Direct Februrary 3rd Newsletter! Spread the word about the library Things Blog and Twitter Feed! Follow both to learn about the latest and greatest information for librarians & teachers, (particularly those in the DFW area) along with scholarship/internship opportunities to share with your students.

Book Review: Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie

Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie is an easy read that gives practical, common sense advice on starting a business, charity or both. Mycoskie begins by sharing how he started his company, and some of the pitfalls and successes along the way. The experiences of other entrepreneurs also help to emphasize important points and help move the story along. This book would be great for entrepreneurs and those who are looking to start a company or foundation that focuses on giving.

BookList Webinar for Reluctant Readers

Librarians: Would you like to get information on how to connect with struggling readers on your campus or public library? Then, join the BookList Webinar on January 31, 2012 at 1 p.m. Click this link to register: http://bit.ly/wbM6Nm.
The panel consists of Nick Glass of  teachingbooks.net, Andrew Wooldridge of Orca Book Publishers, Christin Hirleman, public librarian from South Carolina, and Tim McHugh of Saddleback Educational Books. Ian Chipman, BookList Books for Youth Senior Editor, will serve as moderator of the discussion.
To learn more about resources to reach reluctant readers hit up Orca's website: http://orcabook.com/reluctantreaders/index.html

2012 Urban Journalism Workshop

Librarians & Teachers in DFW-do you know a budding journalist that is currently a high school or college student in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro area? If so, then he or she should apply to the Dallas Fort-Worth Association of Black Journalists 2012 Urban Journalism Workshop. The deadline to apply is 1/20/12. The 12 week long workshop is open to students in Dallas, Tarrant, Ellis, Collin, and Denton counties, and will be held at the Lincoln High School Humanities and Communications Magnet.

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to LauraInPhilly you have won a copy of the book Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie!!!!
*See comments for more information.

Internship Opportunity-Deadline is 1/3/12

Happy New Year! Here is some information to pass on to college students: Attention Librarians and Teachers in the DFW: Do you know a college student who lives in Senatorial District 23*? Then pass on the word about the Dr. Emmet J. Conrad Leadership Program. Deadline to apply is tomorrow, 1/3/12. Visit the Dr. Emmet J. Conrad Leadership Program website for more details. Here is a list of the internship criteria:

• Current enrollment at a 4-year college/university as an undergraduate or graduate student or enrolled at a medical, dental or professional school
• Minimum Overall 2.25 GPA (no exception)
• *Permanent residence in Senatorial District 23 (central and southernmost parts of Dallas, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster, and Mesquite) Other areas to be added after finalization of redistricting process.
• Complete and submit online application
• Provide two professional references
• Provide official college transcript including fall 2011 grades (to be sent once you return to school)
• Submit 250 word essay entitled "Why is An Internship Important?"
• Electronic version of your resume' in Word format
• Community service/volunteerism reference 

 If you know a college student who fits the criteria spread the word about this opportunity quickly as the deadline is fast approaching. In the new year, I will post information about internships, scholarships, and other opportunities that will benefit our students on the blog. 

Win a Copy of the Book Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie

Picture of book from the Barnes & Noble website
Accessed 12/26/11

Start the new year with a new book! library Things is hosting it's first book giveaway! One lucky reader will win a copy of the book Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie. How to enter: Simply make one comment on this post from December 28, 2011-January 11, 2012 (before 11:59 p.m. on 1/11/12). We will hold a drawing on January 12, 2012. The winner will be announced  by January 13, 2012. Look for my review of the book in the coming weeks.

Here is the fine print: How to Enter: make one comment on the library Things post entitled Win a Copy of the Book Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie. Dates to enter the drawing: December 28, 2011-January 11, 2012. ( prior to 11:59 p.m on January 11, 2012). The drawing will take place on January 12, 2012.  Winner will be announced in a post on the library Things blog by January 13, 2012. The winner will be instructed to send their name, mailing address, and email address to library Things, and must respond within 24 hours of the winner announcement blog post or the prize will be forfeited and another drawing will take place. Library Things will send the book Start Something that Matters by Blake Mycoskie to the winner of the drawing by U. S. Mail.  library Things is not responsible for lost or damaged mail.  Drawing is open to U.S. residents 18 years of age or older.  Void where prohibited. Federal State and Local Laws Apply. All taxes, if applicable, are sole responsibility of the winner. library Things is not responsible for any technical problems, malfunctions of any telephone lines, computer systems, servers, providers, hardware/software, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any combination thereof. If, in the opinion of library Things  there is any suspected or actual evidence of tampering with any portion of the sweepstakes, or if technical difficulties compromise the integrity of the sweepstakes, library Things reserves the right to modify the sweepstakes in a manner deemed appropriate by library Things, in its sole discretion. By participating in this promotion, entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Judging Agency.JUDGING AGENCY: library Things (”Judging Agency”) will choose a winner based on a random drawing of all qualifying comments.   Agency reserves the right to disqualify any entry that, in the sole opinion of the judges, refers, depicts or in any way reflects negatively upon the sponsor, the promotion or any other person or entity. SPONSOR: library Things