About Me
A high school English teacher once told me I should look into librarianship. At the time, I thought I wanted to be a journalist, a job I perceived to have more glitter on its label. My grandfather, Paul Gapp was a critic for The Chicago Tribune. In 1979 he won a Pulitzer for his work reviewing architecture. His literary accolades served as inspiration to pursue the same field. It wasn't until later I realized how hip librarians were. I went on to earn a BA in Comparative Literature. I considered Comparative Literature to be slightly cooler than an English degree, but it turned out to produce the same degree of employability...so, I started working for Silver Falls State Park as a seasonal ranger aide the summer after graduating. I then wondered why my degree wasn't in wildlife conservation or parks and recreation management. I had, for a time, considered forestry at Oregon State University. In anticipation of the seasonal job ending I found myself applying for library assistant positions and full time ranger work. My high school alma mater took a chance on me and I was hired with a Restricted Transitional Teaching License (issued by TSPC) as a school librarian at a middle school. To fulfill the licensure requirements I pursued my Initial Teaching License in Educational Media at Portland State University. Inevitably, I discovered the precarious nature of school libraries in a tenuous economic climate and I went on to get an MLS with Emporia State University's distance learning arm of SLIM (School of Library and Information Management).
After five years at Cascade Jr. High I was laid off as a result of the 2008 economic downturn. I then found a position at Portland Public School District where I worked at Sabin Elementary (preK-8) and ACCESS Academy (alternative education for academically gifted students). While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this urban setting (a huge contrast from rural Cascade) the economic and political climate of the District did not foster longevity on my newly paranoid job security radar. Over the summer I found out about a job opportunity at Valley Catholic High School in Beaverton. I got the job. I then discovered private institutions were not immune to economic hardship and outmoded attitudes. I transitioned back to PPS, and am currently employed at Peninsula Elementary (formerly a K8) in North Portland. Additionally, I worked for several years as an on-call librarian for Oregon City Public Library, where I staffed the reference desk most Sundays.
These days I'm interested in branching out to related fields where I can use transferable skills and stretch my professional growth. I've also been dabbling with creative writing and recently had a short blurb published in Oregon Humanities.
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 inquiry (it's like playing Nancy Drew, research edition!), and interpretation of arts and literature. While my professional experience remains largely in public education as a Teacher Librarian I have sought to bridge that with other experiences such as the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program offered by the National Park Service, and Outward Bound's educator experience, which emphasizes the John Dewey (not to be confused with Melvil) philosophy of 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. First and foremost, one must be literate. So, to improve my pedagogy I enrolled in Lewis and Clark's Reading Endorsement Program.
I have a passion for literacy, library services and helping both young people and adults reach their potential. I have been known to say that cataloging deer antlers is my dream job, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy working with people. The community of professional relationships I've built at Peninsula with students, parents, and staff has brought me laughter and gratitude for the network of human support.
I am also 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."
Calling myself a "ranger librarian" not only captures my varied interests within librarianship, but reminds me that I play many roles. Librarians ultimately serve as pathfinders for learning communities. We delve more deeply and thoughtfully than any search engine. Helping you find the way.
After five years at Cascade Jr. High I was laid off as a result of the 2008 economic downturn. I then found a position at Portland Public School District where I worked at Sabin Elementary (preK-8) and ACCESS Academy (alternative education for academically gifted students). While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this urban setting (a huge contrast from rural Cascade) the economic and political climate of the District did not foster longevity on my newly paranoid job security radar. Over the summer I found out about a job opportunity at Valley Catholic High School in Beaverton. I got the job. I then discovered private institutions were not immune to economic hardship and outmoded attitudes. I transitioned back to PPS, and am currently employed at Peninsula Elementary (formerly a K8) in North Portland. Additionally, I worked for several years as an on-call librarian for Oregon City Public Library, where I staffed the reference desk most Sundays.
These days I'm interested in branching out to related fields where I can use transferable skills and stretch my professional growth. I've also been dabbling with creative writing and recently had a short blurb published in Oregon Humanities.
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 inquiry (it's like playing Nancy Drew, research edition!), and interpretation of arts and literature. While my professional experience remains largely in public education as a Teacher Librarian I have sought to bridge that with other experiences such as the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program offered by the National Park Service, and Outward Bound's educator experience, which emphasizes the John Dewey (not to be confused with Melvil) philosophy of 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. First and foremost, one must be literate. So, to improve my pedagogy I enrolled in Lewis and Clark's Reading Endorsement Program.
I have a passion for literacy, library services and helping both young people and adults reach their potential. I have been known to say that cataloging deer antlers is my dream job, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy working with people. The community of professional relationships I've built at Peninsula with students, parents, and staff has brought me laughter and gratitude for the network of human support.
I am also 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."
Calling myself a "ranger librarian" not only captures my varied interests within librarianship, but reminds me that I play many roles. Librarians ultimately serve as pathfinders for learning communities. We delve more deeply and thoughtfully than any search engine. Helping you find the way.
