new

Chronicles of a First Year Librarian

~ Tara Hargrove ~ Leave a comment

Let’s switch gears…I’ve posted about all kinds of digital technologies that can be used in the education world as a librarian or a teacher all summer long, but come Monday, school schedule begins once again for myself in my new district as a librarian and I kind of want to share my journey of what my first year as a school librarian is going to entail. Honestly, I have been working all summer already trying to get my library the way I want. In one of my grad classes last semester, my professor had us create a priority list as a new librarian. We revamped our top ten list over the course of the semester, but honestly, I feel that what I had on my FINAL list has been changed again since I’ve actually stepped into the role of a school librarian and not just thinking hypothetically.

Let me share with you what I have done so far (and school hasn’t even started yet!).

I have been a teacher for nine years. I was made to be an educator-that is my purpose and what I feel God has gifted me with. With that being said, I have done the same thing the past nine years before school even begins and those things are even more intricate when I have changed grade levels. I also begin with the environment in which I will be in…the classroom in teachers’ cases and the library in librarians’ cases. I can’t seem to focus or function if my space isn’t spruced up the way I want. I need my decorations and atmosphere to be inviting and welcoming and functional.

So this summer I gave my new library an overhaul! My husband is a builder and he grabbed a couple of his daytime guys and they went to painting. The colors turned out better than I ever imagined! They really made the room pop! I took down old and outdated decor and stuffed animals that had been collecting dust. My campus is 4th-6th grade and while they are still elementary and love to be silly and be read to, I think they also want to feel a little bit older than the littles.

Paint transforms everything!❤️
Hello dusty little mouse.
He’s so goofy! 🤪
Organizing!👌🏼
Grey covering the brown.
Loving 😍
The dragon really pops out now!
I created some fantastic posters and put them in some cheap poster frames from WalMart. I organized the currculation desk and cleaned and dusted really well. I also bought some cute watercolor lightbulbs from TPT that I enlarged at my local Walgreens, cut out and glued onto foam board (go to WalMart for foam board-you will only waste your money at Dollar Tree).

It’s far from finished, but I always think back to the phrase “Fake it till you make it.” If you can look the part, and work hard behind the scenes to figure the rest out, I think you’ll be amazing in the end! I have had such amazing classes and professors, but it’s different when you’re IN it versus being in a class. I am a hard worker and I am a great researcher (hey, I’m a librarian and outta be 😉), and I KNOW this year will be the best year of my education career, even if it is a little challenging!

11 11 ❤️ Tara

New. Novel.

~ tarahargrove ~ Leave a comment

So I am just like the other billions of people out there who get uncomfortable with change. The start of something new is difficult and we usually let our fear and anxiety take over and hold us captive in the present. BUT what fun is that?! I don’t want to be stuck in the now for forever! Just like the rest of you, I must get my head in the game and talk myself into WHY change is good.

Being a novice at something is not a favorite of mine (I’m sure no one really likes it), but we all have to begin somewhere. I am officially a novice at being a grad student. Sure, I’ve gone to college, but that was like a decade ago! And things have changed since then! Plus, I’m taking my classes online which is another scary thing to add to my list! The bright side is- I’m a teacher, so school is my jam! And I’m super techie so I’ve got that going for me with this online school thing. There is always good to be found in every situation; you just have to search for it.

I have taught for 8 years now. It would have been 9, but I took a year off to stay at home with my son. I absolutely LOVE being in the classroom. My students are my why. They drive me to be a teacher who pushes, who loves, who cares and who wants to see them be abundantly successful. I tell my students constantly that we are life long learners, so I decided to put myself out there and be a product of what I say. I am officially in graduate school to get my master’s in Library Science. I would soooo be a great school librarian (just ask my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Martin!) I am excited about this new journey, but just like everyone else who begins something new, I am nervous and a little scared at what’s to come. Life can be crazy and difficult to manage at times as it is, and here I go adding more to my plate. How will I manage it all, you might ask?  I made myself make ONE single new year’s resolution and that was to say NO more often. I have a bad habit of taking on lots of projects and doing lots of favors, but I need to force myself to say no so I can focus and get things done that are most important to me and my family. With that being said, I am now off to have dinner and get ready for another Monday with my fourth graders. Make it count this week! Stay positive my friends! ❤

 

23472953_10214614743185543_1022232734973397816_n
My student ID photo (hehe)