Category: Libraries

School librarians are well-positioned to create learning environments that support and empower students with dyslexia and other specific learning needs. So what are the techniques and approaches that will help these students thrive? Join educators Tina Berumen and Mary Kennington as they uncover common misconceptions about dyslexia and share tips and strategies to best support your students, and their families, with digital resources and literature.

Tina Berumen, MLS, serves as the coordinator of library services for Coppell ISD in Coppell, TX. Prior to this library administration role, she served as a school librarian for fifteen years at the elementary and secondary level. She earned her bachelor’s in education from the University of Texas at Arlington and her master’s of library science from Texas Woman’s University. She is a Texas certified teacher in early childhood through fourth grade, English as a second language early childhood through twelfth grade, and a certified school librarian. Tina is an active member of the Texas Library Association, Texas Association of School Library Administrators, and the Texas Computer Education Association. She has served these state organizations on various committees over the years and led professional development sessions in the areas of school librarianship, library programming, and instructional partnerships. She is passionate about ensuring equity of access to library resources for all and supporting school librarians to develop professionally. You can follow her on Twitter @tinaberumen.

Mary Kennington, MEd, LDT, CALT, serves as a middle school assistant principal in Coppell, TX. Prior to this administrative role, she served as a dyslexia diagnostician and dyslexia therapist. She earned her bachelor’s in history from the University of Arkansas, her master’s of education in special education specializing in dyslexia therapy from Midwestern State University, and her principal certification from Lamar University. She is a Texas certified teacher in early childhood through sixth grade, special education early childhood through twelfth grade, English as a second language early childhood through twelfth grade, and a certified educational diagnostician. She is also a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT). Mary has a heart for helping learners reach their full potential. She believes that the brightest children can sometimes have the hardest time learning, and that we must meet their needs in unique ways. You can follow her on Twitter @mekennington.

Students have so much access to technology, but are they using it to make authentic connections? Being a digital citizen AND global collaborator are essential in today’s world and must be experienced in tandem—and our school libraries are the ideal place to build the bridge!

Join media specialist Ali Schilpp for this inspirational conversation on the many ways a school library can foster multiple literacies, cross-cultural understanding, and expand students’ horizons. Learn about the positive impact of global collaborations, ideas for sharing a love of literature, and how to facilitate authentic connections. This webinar will share how to connect students with peers, educators, and experts as a way to introduce new cultures, people, and places, and broaden their perspectives!

SLC is pleased to offer 1 hour of professional development credit for all qualified webinar participants!

To qualify: 1) Be sure to log in to the webinar through your registration link (phone-only does not guarantee certification) and 2) Attend at least 45 minutes of the webinar (login will track your time)

Can’t make the live event? No worries. Register to be updated when the recording is available! Viewers of the archived recording can take a quiz to be eligible for a certificate of completion.

Your digital collection has likely grown, but how do you sustain student and teacher engagement with the resources over the long term, to ensure that your investment is worth it? The East Baton Rouge Parish School District worked to discover the answer to this question after a devastating flood destroyed eight of their libraries in 2016. Join us to learn from high school librarian Betty Brackins and library services director Susan Gauthier as they share how they transformed a disaster into an opportunity to build a robust digital collection and sustained delivery of online resources to the students and teachers in East Baton Rouge Parish Schools.

What value statements guide school librarians as we meet challenges such as equitable access and opportunity gaps?

Although school librarians and classroom educators share values such as collaboration, innovation, and literacy as a path to school success and lifelong learning, we have a unique set of values that positively impact the entire learning community: equity, diversity, inclusion, and intellectual freedom. It takes commitment and leadership to enact school librarian core values. It also takes courage to stand up for social justice in our school communities.