About Me
A high school English teacher once told me I should look into librarianship. At the time, I couldn't fathom it. Now, after having earned a BA in Comparative Literature, a teaching license in Educational Media, and an MLS, it makes sense. In addition to information and media literacy I have a passion for interpretation. Interpretation of cultural, historical and natural resources (as found in State and National Parks), interpretation of information queries (it's like playing Nancy Drew!), and interpretation of arts and literature. While my professional experience remains largely in public education (school libraries) I seek to bridge that with other experiences such as the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program offered by the National Park Service, and Outward Bound's educator's experience, which emphasizes the John Dewey (not to be confused with Melvil) philosophy of experiential education. In my professional life I seek to engage and inspire. In my personal life I seek to be engaged and be inspired. I often look to cultural and natural resources as the source of engagement and inspiration. Libraries, archives and museums are on the forefront of providing education about and preserving these resources.
Check out my new job locations for the 2009-2010 school year. I'm in one building that technically houses two schools in the Portland Public School District. Sabin Elementary (preK-8) and ACCESS (alternative education for academically gifted students). What is my job title? School librarian, or teacher librarian, or media specialist, or library teacher--all splitting hairs in my book, a librarian (plain and simple) encompasses all these things. A "ranger librarian" reminds us that we play many roles. We ultimately serve to provide pathfinders to students on a quest toward the holy grail of education--critical thinking. Hmm, sounds like the genesis of a new blockbuster video game, only the "video" takes place entirely in one's head...
Check out my new job locations for the 2009-2010 school year. I'm in one building that technically houses two schools in the Portland Public School District. Sabin Elementary (preK-8) and ACCESS (alternative education for academically gifted students). What is my job title? School librarian, or teacher librarian, or media specialist, or library teacher--all splitting hairs in my book, a librarian (plain and simple) encompasses all these things. A "ranger librarian" reminds us that we play many roles. We ultimately serve to provide pathfinders to students on a quest toward the holy grail of education--critical thinking. Hmm, sounds like the genesis of a new blockbuster video game, only the "video" takes place entirely in one's head...
Career Goals:
- Begin to review literature for School Library Journal. A social studies teacher approached me one day and told me about the following review opportunity. This marks my first attempt as a literary critic. My grandfather, Paul Gapp was a critic for the Chicago Tribune. In 1979 he won a Pulitzer for his work reviewing architecture. While I don't expect to acquire the same notoriety, his literary accolades serve as inspiration.
- As long as I work in the capacity of a school librarian I would like to continue to work with State and National Parks during the "off season," which essentially equates to Parks' "on season." I am interested in the intersection between information science (libraries, archives, and museums) and interpretation. Freeman Tilden, the "father of interpretation," addresses information in his six principles, excerpted from Interpreting Our Heritage (1953), "Information, as such, is not Interpretation. Interpretation is revelation based on information. But they are entirely different things. However, all interpretation includes information."
