Some Mentoring Stories from Colleagues
I was fortunate to have a couple of experienced librarians who influenced me in my first job as a librarian. They were very committed to their students. Their sense of humor helped to buffer the frustrating moments. They were very knowledgeable. They were always willing to answer my questions. As we worked together in the district meetings, we became friends as well as colleagues. I appreciated their expertise and they appreciated my enthusiasm. We felt free to disagree with each other and knew it was a safe environment. I’m still friends with them, some 30 years later.
- Marge Cox, Librarian, Veterans Memorial Elementary School, Naples, Florida
Were any of these words/phrases in your answers to our questions? Did you include other words/phrases that could also be such factors?
How about these?
I returned to work as a school librarian after a nineteen year break. I was fortunate to be an itinerant librarian serving two elementary schools with seasoned librarians. Their styles were totally different but they strengthened different aspects of my own teaching style. As we collaborated on lessons and trouble shot technology glitches, I saw that I could balance fun vibrant experiences with a strong traditional foundation in information and research skills. As I'm sitting here reflecting on those experiences, I realize that all the words I brainstormed when I was thinking about my role as a mentor held true for me as the mentored one. I valued the relationship I formed with these two librarians. I felt safe to stretch and try new things and felt genuine growth as a teacher and a librarian. I was surprised to learn that I wanted to embrace a more active, loud learning environment rather than the traditional form I had originally been trained in. I think my experience was positive because I was treated with respect and trust, my input and ideas were valued, and I had autonomy to implement changes.
- Tracey Cain, Librarian, Reams Road Elementary School, Chesterfield County, VA
My mentor was a principal. During the first evaluation conference we had, he said he'd like to see more classes in the library. We went on to discuss the type of learning and programs that could go on in a library and how I could make that happen. I thought to myself, "Whoa, I'd better step up my game. This principal actually knows what is supposed to go on in an elementary library!"
From that day forward, we had many discussions about educational theory and my teaching in particular. I felt comfortable going to him when a lesson or a program wasn't working. He would listen, ask questions and let me talk through the problem. Many times I would figure out what to do or try. Sometimes he gave suggestions. At the time, I don't even know if I realized how he was guiding me to grow and learn on my own.
I think one of the best qualities this principal had, was that he didn't want to be seen as the person with all the answers. He wanted us to think and work things out. He was always there as a sounding board and if needed, he would make a decision. He really want to be in the background as a support. This allowed me to broaden my thinking, take chances on new ideas and grow, knowing that if I made a mistake, it would be alright. He made me feel like a professional with worthwhile thoughts and ideas.
- Penny Patterson, Librarian, Hinkle Creek Elementary School, Noblesville, IN
For more personal stories of school librarians' mentoring experiences, click here.
The Innovation Destination
The Innovation Destination was designed and evaluated by a team from the Center for Digital Literacy at the School of Information Studies, Syracuse University and developed by Data Momentum Inc, in partnership with the Connecticut Invention Convention, By Kids for Kids, New York On Tech, and over 70 school librarians and young innovators.
This site has been serving the youth invention community from 2015 - present.
