Strategies to Maximize Your Library Media Specialist Experience

Library Media Specialists, often overlooked and underestimated, play a pivotal role in student success, transcending the misconception that they are merely babysitters or contributors to the entertainment side of literacy. One such exemplary figure is Cathy Collins, a Library Media Specialist at Sharon Public Schools in Massachusetts.

For Collins, truth is a treasure, and she encourages her students to think of themselves as treasure hunters, using their critical thinking skills to navigate the vast sea of information. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that every student possesses the potential to become a detective, separating facts from biases when evaluating information, much like Sherlock or Enola Holmes.

Collins' innovative approach to teaching extends beyond the traditional realm. She incorporates humor into her lessons, ensuring they resonate with students, and employs AI tools like Canva to demonstrate the ease of manipulating images and the potential for misinformation. Her special projects, such as coding with poetry from Hour of Code, creating an ideal future sustainable home using 3D-design software, and digital music creation with Soundation, foster a creative and interactive learning environment.

Collins' dedication to her craft is evident in her commitment to teaching digital citizenship, cybersecurity, online safety, news and media literacy, and the importance of finding the source and reliability of images and information. She uses the News Literacy Project's checkology Curriculum and the ISTE Digital Citizenship curriculum to equip her students with the tools they need to navigate the digital world responsibly.

Collins' influence extends beyond her classroom. Her annual session on using Sora to access multiple languages for reading and hearing books attracts a full house, demonstrating her ability to engage and inspire students. Her debut book, "Teaching News Literacy in the Age of AI: A Cross Curricular Approach," set to be published by ISTE in August, promises to be a valuable resource for educators striving to prepare their students for the digital age.

Library Media Specialists like Collins contribute significantly to student success in academic test scores and college admissions. They foster literacy, information literacy, and research skills that underpin academic achievement. By collaborating with teachers, integrating library resources and media literacy into curriculum, promoting instructional technology, and advocating for their role, they help students develop the critical thinking and inquiry skills essential for standardized tests and college readiness.

Administrators and educators can maximize the expertise of Library Media Specialists by involving them in curriculum planning, providing professional development, expanding access to resources, using data to advocate, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. By unlocking their full potential in promoting student success, we can ensure our students are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital age.

Recently, Cathy Collins was recognised with the Innovative Leader Award for Library Media Specialist at the Tech & Learning New England Regional Leadership Summit, a testament to her dedication and impact in the field. As we move forward, let us celebrate and appreciate the invaluable contributions of Library Media Specialists like Cathy Collins, who are shaping the future of education one student at a time.

Cathy Collins, a dedicated Library Media Specialist, encourages her students to think of themselves as treasure hunters, utilizing their critical thinking skills to scrutinize information in the realm of education-and-self-development.
In addition to her traditional lessons, Collins employs digital tools like Canva and Hour of Code to instill digital citizenship, cybersecurity, online safety, and data-and-cloud-computing knowledge in her students.
Beyond the classroom, Collins offers sessions on using Sora for multi-language reading, engaging a full house and demonstrating her influence on students.
Her debut book, "Teaching News Literacy in the Age of AI: A Cross Curricular Approach," will soon be published by ISTE, serving as a crucial resource for professionals in digital education.
Library Media Specialists, such as Collins, are vital assets in fostering student success, by promoting lifelong-learning, facilitating research, and advocating for their role in school curriculums.
Administrators and educators should capitalize on the expertise of Library Media Specialists by investing in professional development, expanding resources, data-driven advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring our students thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.