Reflection on 3/30 class

The words "depressed" or "disillusioned" are really too strong to describe how I feel about SLM (at the moment). I'm still am so excited about teaching, because, first of all, it's an important job, and second, I love the school atmosphere and working with students and teachers. I like to hear about Kara's and Emily's experiences in the classroom. What they have to say varies from day to day, depending on student interaction, lesson plans and whether or not it's "100's" day or Valentine's Day or a rainy day. That's the job. It's always changing and that's what I like about it.

Not only will my job be changing from day to day, but month to month, and year to year. Will I feel like I am always on the "defense"? I hope not. WIll I alway be prepared to defend my position and my value in regard to student learning? Yes. Will I make the effort to be helpful to teachers and encouraging with parent volunteers to position myself to have many allies? You betcha. The position of School Library Media Specialist is evolving and will continue to do so- throughout my career. I need to be aware of changing trends, be flexible, and be willing to take on new challenges.

Two things happened in the last couple of weeks that have brought me to this mindset. First, I "Asked the Dean", "What do you think the future of SLM is in the workplace and here at SI?" His (and Margeret Hedstrom's) response reflected SI's commitment to the core belief of SLM, instructing those to instruct others in Information technology and literacy, BUT whether these positions will be available in the school setting in the future is uncertain. Ok, so I may not have a job in a school someday, but my skills will always be necessary. Second, in SI 500, when guest lecturer Cecilia Aragon was asked what she thought was the most exciting development in her field of computer science, she stated that the demanding need for human computer interaction engineers to respond to social science studies to develop systems of communication to help solve major computer engineering problems today and in the future. This response at first left me deflated (because I am not in HCI), but then I thought, "Wait a second- I will be the one nurturing the future generation of those who will be solving the world's problems."

It will be my job to foster talent and encourage enthusiasm among my students so, that 20 years from now, when I'm 61 (gasp!), I will have students commenting to me through mental telepathy that they have me to thank for encouraging them when they were young and now they have made it possible for humankind to return back to the earth after 15 years in exile in self-sustaining pods in space. Wouldn't that be great?

Ok- maybe it won't be that drastic.