Accomplishments

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 SHS Library Media Center


Curating accessible information is one of the most important aspects of librarianship. When I began my position as the Library Media Specialist at Somerville High School, one of my top priorities was to create a website that would allow students, staff, and community members direct access to our digital collection, databases, as well as various other resources. The Library Media Center (LMC) website houses Information Literacy lessons, access to the Somerset County Library System, Resources for ESL classes, information regarding large school wide events (ie - SEL Day, World Read Aloud Day, World Internet Day, etc)  that are hosted by the LMC, extra help schedules, and much more.  Housing all materials related to the LMC within a Google site offers easy access to information, in a distraction-free environment, that ensures every student has equitable access that is readable to all no matter their language or impairment.  

Click here to explore the website: SHS Library Media Center

 #SEL DAY

Social Emotional Learning Day is a global effort that was created in 2020. When I arrived at SHS, I began organizing a school wide celebration that allows the entire community the opportunity to take part in various activities throughout the day. Restorative circle talks, coloring, therapy dogs, and bracelet making are just some of the few activities that are offered in the library. At any given point throughout the day you may find students meditating in history, doing yoga in english class, or creating kindness rocks in the guidance department. This day has become a student (and librarian) favorite!

Click here to access website: SBHS Library's SEL Day 

Workshop Presentations

Cafe con libros and Beyond.pdf (1).pdf
LGBTQ is not a genre.pdf

With the funding of grant monies, I built a spanish book collection and created an after-school book club for our growing Multi-Language Learner (MLL) population. These MLL students excitedly joined me at our meetings where we practice reading in English as well as  Spanish, share stories of family and culture, and enjoy snacks. This program has been embraced by all and has given the students confidence needed to become well-rounded members of the SHS community. 

This workshop was designed to educate librarians and educators about gender, identity, and how labels can affect the LGBTQIA+ community. Within school libraries across the nation, there has been a recent push to label books and create sections based on their genres. This presentation encourages librarians to continue making materials more easily accessible, but to understand that individual identities are not labels that should be used to differentiate books.


During late November of 2022, the internet was forever changed when ChatGPT was released. Just as the internet scared some people, so does Artificial Intelligence. This workshop was created to show teachers how to navigate AI tools in order to not only save time scaffolding equitable lesson plans, but to also create lessons that are fun, engaging, and memorable for their students. 


Censorship attempts have grown exponentially the past few years. After creating a Freedom to Read display in honor of Banned Books Week, I began receiving requests from teachers to speak with their classes about book bans. I created 3 different lessons across the various departments and ensured that the information given to the students properly tied into the curriculum. Students and staff were very engaged and everyone walked away with not only new information but useful tools to allow their voices to be heard.