Testing a new app

Food for thought

I'm a short TALL Texan

So...the TALL Texans retreat started today.

We're at the Montserrat Jesuit Retreat on Lake Dallas. Beautiful scenery. I hear the lake itself is a little scary, but since I'm sorta anti-water, that's alright.

It's safe to say I'm overwhelmed already, and all we've done is introduce ourselves! I'm seeing people whose names I've seen all over TLC and LM_Net, and--of course--TLA. I'm excited to be here and just meet everyone.

I've already been daydreaming about my "plan" for after the Institute. I've already been pushing for some changes in the district. We're just not advocating for ourselves as effectively as we could (and sometimes at all). I'd love to be able to say that each of our librarians is seen as a leader in our individual schools and throughout the district because we are not just because we're the lone wolf on campus.

This week is supposed to be "transforming." I can't wait!

I touch the future...I teach. (Christa McAuliffe)

This morning we had our BESTT breakfast in the library. BESTT means "Bridging the Educational Scene for Teachers of Tomorrow." Our students are paired with teachers for a year or two and basically intern with them. It gives them a taste of what teaching can be about. For the most part, they can approach whichever teacher in the district they'd like to work with, but our teacher/coordinator does have a pool to select from as well.

The breakfast this morning was a celebration for completing the year. It was a thank you to the coordinating teachers for putting up with them. *grin* Each of the teachers present was asked to give one last piece of life experience advice to the students. Everyone talked about being flexible, following your passion, and remembering to listen for your calling. All excellent advice.

I was listening in, I love to hear what others tell our students because it's often good advice for me as well. One of the teachers mentioned receiving a graduation announcement from a former student whose chosen profession isn't the box she (the teacher) would've put her in. And it set me to thinking.

If I could give advice to graduating seniors (or any student) this year, I'd tell them this...

Don't allow yourself to be boxed.

We've been discussing around campus lately the general behavior of our students. I'm worried (afraid, entirely too certain?) that too many of our faculty blame the behavior on the kids. Frankly, that's just crazy.

My friend Becky trains dogs. Big dogs, little dogs, scary dogs, happy dogs, ADHD dogs, and even the ones that are lazy. She'll tell you the key is consistency. The jockey who rode the horse Mine that Bird to win the Kentucky Derby this year, said “I rode him like a good horse.” Seriously, that's what all horses are--good horses. It's the trainer, the rider, the guy sweeping out the stall that makes the difference. That's all teenagers are, too--good horses, I mean kids.

If we're having trouble with students year after year, and it's always a different mix of students, then the problem is us. We're the only common denominator from year to year.

But I'd also tell graduating seniors (and all students) that...

Sometimes, you have to embrace the box.

Sometimes. Certainly not always. But sometimes that box is the one you need to be in, in order to get out of it later on. Sometimes, climbing into the box is how you grow, or how you escape. Sometimes it's what you have to do to hear the message about where you should be and what you should be doing.

I know it sounds contradictory--"no box" but "yes box." Life is contradictory. It just is.

By the way...one of my heroes is Christa McAuliffe. She was one of the astronauts who died in the space shuttle Challenger explosion in January 1986. She was first a teacher.

TxLA recap

This is my library bling. I can't tell you how many people had comments that weren't always meant to be complimentary about how many tags I had hanging from my badge. Most all of those hadn't even bothered to pick up their district tag. I'm not judging. Frankly I don't like to wear things around my neck.

But maybe, next time, ask about what the tags mean. You might just find some really awesome group you'd not considered being involved in.

There will be more pictures soon. I got some ARCs signed, had dinner with some fascinating authors, and managed to have a few pictures snapped with them. It was wonderful!

The best part, though, was coming home and giving one of my students an ARC I'd had signed for her. She's a READER. Big time. BIG TIME. I was able to snag an ARC of Fragile Eternity, Melissa Marr's sequel to Wicked Lovely. I got the biggest hug and a load of questions about being a librarian from her. Makes my year!

Really nice presentation on techy ideas.



Teresa Schauer, Pettus ISD's district librarian shared it on LM_Net today. Pettus ISD's Library's can be found at http://www.pettuslibrary.net/ . She and her students blog book reviews, too!

If you're like me, you're staying home for Spring Break this year. (I say that like I ever go anywhere for Spring Break.) BUT, that doesn't mean that you have to spend the days wishing it warmer (mid-70s just doesn't do it when the pool is still in the low 60s) and watching daytime TV.

**Note, all of the sites below are relatively local to Angleton/Houston. Except for the Bluebell Creamery, which is just seriously worth the trip for fresh Tin Roof Ice Cream.

George Ranch Historical Park http://www.georgeranch.org/
Where cattle and cotton are king!

Brazos Bend State Park http://www.brazosbend.org/
Alligators, trails, picnics…

George Observatory http://www.hmns.org/see_do/george_observatory.asp
Inspire the astronomer in you.

Kemah Boardwalk http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/flash_content/flash_content.html
Almost everything has reopened since Ike came through. More things opening and re-opening all month.

Bluebell Creameries http://www.bluebell.com/home.aspx
I shouldn’t have to explain why you should visit this one. You can also get the required pictures of children in bluebonnets as you travel 290.

Forbidden Gardens http://www.forbidden-gardens.com/
Outdoor replica of some of China’s famous historic scenes, located in Katy.

Houston Museum District http://www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org/default.asp?id=1
I’ve always loved visiting museums—from the Museum of Natural Science to the Museum of Fine Arts. If I had kids, we’d play at the Children’s Museum all the time.

Bayou Wildlife Park http://www.bayouwildlifepark.com/
Over in Alvin, see the giraffes (my favorites!), llamas, rhinos, goats..you name it. From 35, turn on 517, like you’re heading to Dickinson.