In honor of School Library Month (April), I first want to recognize all of our school librarians out there in Fairfax County. Thank you for all you do every day for our students. Additionally, a loud shout-out goes to state delegates who support highly qualified, certificated librarians in our public schools.
In these times we live in, it is more important than ever to have knowledgeable librarians who are committed to guiding students through the responsible use of digital platforms, critical analysis of all types and sources of information, and, of course, the search for the perfect book.
Part of the librarian’s job is to collaborate with the instructional staff in his or her school to teach these skills. If we don’t have certificated librarians in our library, the quality of the whole education program suffers.
Students in our schools show achievement in the following ways: thinking, creating, sharing and growing. Librarians, through the following shared foundations — inquiry, inclusion, collaboration, curation, exploration and engagement — foster an environment for this evidence of learning. Just this month, Dr. Scott Brabrand, superintendent of FCPS, in a meeting with over 200 school representatives, mentioned the need for digital literacy lessons for our students — the very lessons that librarians have the expertise to provide.
So, the next time you’re picking up your kids from their school, regardless of grade level, stop by the school library to greet the librarian, and check out all the amazing things going on there.
Michelle G Johnson
Alexandria