E63 Back to School

Reflecting on the most “unprecedented” start of school ever. The co-hosts discuss what their roles are at the time of recording, the first weeks of learning and being back at school. A look at how we have been adapting to our roles- whether online or face-to-face or a mix of both. Beth talks about staying in her role as a teacher-librarian and the work of supporting educators and curating resources to have at the ready for the learning community without overwhelming them at the same time. The loss of school libraries across the province at this time as boards struggle to fill class needs with educators reflects the legacy of devaluing school library professionals and the loss this represents for educators and learners is recognized and discussed. While reflecting on the new normal of school the Lisa and Alanna share their experiences in face-to-face and online/remote learning and the changes they are seeing in both educators and students- from the ever present worries and need to pivot at a moment’s notice, the continued importance of a PLN (professional learning network) to support your pedagogical learning, the dichotomy of the increased independence of students and inability to focus for a long duration of time. The episode finishes off talking about what the co-hosts have read and loved recently, what they hope to read soon and the on-going debate of separating art from the artist. Books mentioned in this episode: Lovely War by Julie Berry The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown The Library of Legends by Jamie Chang Creating Inclusive Writing Environments by Angela Stockman I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh Summerwood/Winterwood by E.L. Chen Worlds of Making: Best Practices for Establishing a Makerspace for Your School by Laura Fleming Podcasts mentioned in this episode: Unlocking Us with Brene Brown (June 10th episode with Austin Channing Brown)