Welcome to my website. I have formed this site to serve as an exhibit of my time and work in Kent State University’s Graduate College of Education. I began this journey in the Instructional Technology program during the spring, 2008 semester by taking two classes. Now, a year and a half later, my coursework is nearly complete and my vision for my future in the field is more directed.
At the onset of my venture into instructional technology and library services, my focus was primarily on seeking a career in education that was well suited to my philosophy on learning. I believe in individualized learning, and find the most satisfaction in helping students pursue their independent study interests. The appeal of the library field has always been, for me, its service oriented nature. While other teachers struggle with the concept of “teaching to the test,” the media specialist position strives toward a unique standard which demands supporting a love of learning in any form. While this purposeful focus on “learning for learning’s sake” is the core of education, it is not innate in students. I seek a library media position in which I’ll be given the freedom to support both a broad school mission of fostering a love for learning and more directed curriculum-specific goals.
Although I began my graduate studies with a set philosophy and some complementary ideas, my experience at Kent has truly molded my thinking into workable applications. In browsing my portfolio, you will find many assignments designed to be easily transferred into a “real-life” setting. These are the assignments I am most proud of, because they truly reflect my vision for “every-day” library service. I’ve highlighted pieces that I feel demonstrate my learning and aptitude in providing quality visual design and critical analysis towards teaching and learning styles, material use, promotion, and program administration. My background in education has prepared me for pedagogical decision making and collaboration, so perhaps my greatest strides have been in areas of technology and library specific knowledge.
Among other subject-specific accomplishments, I have:
§ developed an increased understanding of children’s and young adult literature and independently tracked my reading using the social networking website, GoodRead’s.
§ created and contributed to blog sites, wiki’s, podcasts, webquests, and websites.
§ independently cataloged and copy-cataloged a collection of over 100 books.
I have also participated in many assignments designed to contextualize the school library framework within budget, time, and staffing constraints. I have come to recognize and respect the realism of these concerns, while also seeking to diminish them through advocacy and hard work. In examining my portfolio, you will find evidence of my work built both within controls and effectively around controls through problem solving. This multi-faceted strategy has been a mainstay throughout my professional and educational background, and is a trait I’ll carry with me through my future school library career.
To learn more about my professional background, please access my resume.