10.21.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 7:11 pm by Molly Clark
A friend posted the following link to my Facebook page: Acclaimed Colombian Institution has 4800 Books and 10 Legs . We talk about outreach, but this goes above and beyond. In short, this tells the story of a rural Colombian teacher who has taken it upon himself to see that his neighbors have access to books. Every weekend he loads his burros with books and travels into the countryside to deliver books to his neighbors. It’s an amazing story of dedication. Be careful, though, it might make you feel like a slug.
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10.14.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:40 pm by Molly Clark
Being in my third school in 12 months, I’ve had an opportunity that I suspect few of us ever have. I know I wouldn’t VOLUNTARILY have three different jobs in 12 months, but I have learned, and continue to learn, so much that I think all of the stress and anxiety will be worthwhile in the long run. I’m learning what factors really make a difference when it comes to job satisfaction. The kids are always a large part of the equation, but there are many other factors that make a difference, and money has little to do with it.
I think that the most important thing I’ve learned is how much it means to be valued and appreciated. This is not to say that previous employers did not value the library, but that value wasn’t always evident. How many of us go about our daily lives and take the people around us for granted? I have to admit that I don’t think I ever really expressed to my assistants know how much I appreciated them. I did give gifts at Christmas and the end of the year and often brought treats, but I rarely, if ever, verbalized my appreciation. How often do we make it a point to recognize a job well done? Or to just let people know that they have made difference in out lives? I’m trying to make it a point to do more of that.
Yesterday I was at the grocery store and the clerk was delightfully cheerful and pleasant. Last year I would have thanked her and gone about my business. Yesterday I stopped at the customer service desk and made a point to let the manager know that I appreciated the clerk. When I stopped I could tell they were bracing for a complaint. To observe the change in expression as I had my say made it all the more worthwhile. It was obvious that compliments are few and far between for them. Think of those people who make your life easier or more pleasant. Those who are often overlooked. Try complimenting them sometime. It’s fun. It’s actually kind of a selfish act because it feels so good to make someone else feel good.
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09.24.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:43 pm by Molly Clark
I’m into the third week at my new school. I am loving it, but that’s a post for another day. Today I have to give kudos to all the brand new teacher librarians out there, especially those who are working without clerks or assistants. I have all I can do to learn the ins and outs of my school culture. I only go to lunch every other day (I force myself to be social) I can’t imagine how I’d survive if I didn’t already have an arsenal of lesson plans and classroom management techniques to rely on.
If you’re new to this wonderful field, my hat is off to you. If you’re a veteran, I wish you could experience the invigoration of a totally new assignment. (without the unpleasantness of being excessed).
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09.20.08
Posted in Uncategorized tagged Erin at 12:13 pm by Molly Clark
I need to thank my readers for their kindness and concern since my last post. Sadly, there is nothing new to report about Erin. The police have named a “person of interest” but no arrests have been made. There have been many letters to the editor of our local paper criticizing those of us who worked with Erin for failing to get involved. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting and I can honestly say that I did the best I could. I never suspected anything like this was coming. Erin was a happy, positive kid who never showed signs of physical abuse. She wasn’t fearful or timid. Even now, knowing what I do, when I look, I still don’t see any red flags that I missed. She was a sweet girl who had the misfortune of living in filthy house. All I ever hoped for was for DSS to make her family get rid of some of the cats and clean up. As it turns out, DSS was called at least three times. Their handling of the case is also under scrutiny, but that’s not something I’m prepared to write about.
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09.01.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:57 pm by Molly Clark
I am writing this post with a heavy heart. Last night I learned that one of my students has died. And the police have ruled it a homicide. She was 11 years old and the sweetest little girl. She died at home, though there are no more details being released. I can’t help but remember sitting in my principal’s office discussing whether or not we should call social services regarding her living conditions. I know they had been called in the past for the same concerns. She lived in a home with over 120 cats and the smell was overwhelming at times. I had to throw away a couple of her library books because I couldn’t get rid of the smell. I feel horrible about telling her she could no longer take books home during vacations. I wonder if I should have pushed harder for another call to DSS. She always seemed happy enough; I never thought she was in danger; I just didn’t think her living conditions were appropriate. I don’t understand how anyone could have hurt this sweet tiny girl.
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