I believe through strong instructional partnerships, school librarians are leaders when it comes to integrating literacy into all areas of the curriculum. As the Librarian Training & Development Specialist for MNPS, I support librarians with their work in the schools. This support can look different in each setting based on the needs of the individual librarians. However, many new librarians lack the experience and confidence it takes to implement STEAM activities into library instruction and collaborative lessons.
In order to address this lack of experience, I would like to develop a cohort of first year librarians and learning opportunities that model best practices for the integration of literary and STEAM. Librarians will benefit from making connections with their PLN, they will have hands on learning opportunities and will be able to take back the newly learned information to their students.
My plan is to use the makerspace items we currently own as well as those we purchase in the future with the cohort. I also would like for us to meet in the Exploratorium: Makerspace at Martin. Creating these learning opportunities will give new librarians experience and confident to integrate literacy and STEAM activities into the curriculum.
With appreciation,
Connie Sharp Librarian Training & Development Specialist Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools