Debbie Santos is the teacher librarian at Sullivan's Island Elementary School. The library operates on a flexible schedule and Debbie is fortunate to have a large volunteer base to help re-shelve books and attend to other clerical work. The student population does not warrant a full-time library clerk.
To come up with projects and activities for students that focus on the shared foundation "Explore" Debbie states that she relies heavily on Pinterest, social media, begging and borrowing. She also states that to encourage students to grow with self-assessment and problem solving, one has to take time to talk to the students on their level. She says that CD and Kindergarten students want to talk to their librarian (everyone really) all the time- in the hallways, at lunch, at dismissal, etc... She takes time to talk to the kids when they are in the library- about books or not about books. She emphasizes to the CD and Kindergarten students that when they come into the library it is THEIR time. Debbie feels that establishing these connections early gives students a strong base and confidence for later projects and explorations.
Debbie uses the AASL standards in a bit of a reverse way- she looks at the AASL standards to see how they naturally fit in with what she is already doing in the library. To implement projects and buy makerspace materials that students need to use to tinker and create, Debbie states that each teacher librarian has to develop the right relationship with administration to get themselves funding and support for program initiatives. She says it's a timing thing- Principals have a lot to do, so you have to make your requests fit their busy schedule. You often teach your staff as much as your students. Debbie finished our interview by saying that no matter what area you are looking at: Engage, Curate, Include. or Inquire, all decision have to be made for what is best for the student. She states that teacher librarians get a lot farther when their focus is on the students.
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