Through Orientation
This morning I got to sleep in and it was wonderful. Yesterday was the last day of new faculty orientation and it was an easier day than Thursday. We met in the Middle/Upper School library, which is my library. I love that I can say and think that.
Most of the orientation has been about how the school works because it has a quite specific philosophy and a lot of gifted students. Thursday we learned about the philosophy, how the school approaches their students and what we as faculty/staff need to do to fit in. It was fascinating but left me completely drained by the end. Yesterday, we talked to current and veteran teachers who spoke to us about what the philosophy means in action. It really comes down to create structure, allow for flexibility and be prepared for a constant and respectful dialogue with students and parents.
I also spent most of the afternoon, scribbling ideas about how to make the library actually feel like a library. Currently it feels more like a nice conference room/tech lab with some books in it. It needs zones, lower bookshelves, and a desk for me in the main room as well as things to show yes, library outside of it. During the day, I spoke to many people about my ideas and got lots of yes, I like that and yes, very true, so I'm feeling like I've got the right momentum. Its going to be quite uphill as the Middle/Upper School has never really had a library that works like a library, so I'll have to convince teachers that I can help them out and students that the library has more to offer than a space to hang out.
After orientation, I finished most of my paperwork, there's a little bit still left. I need to get fingerprinted and sort out my healthcare things but I'll get paid the second week in September, I didn't get all the paperwork done quick enough to get paid at the start of September.
One thing that makes me grin about this school is that the mascot is the Rough Riders, I've already got an idea of how to play with that librarywise. Luckily the collection's in good shape as they had a consultant come in and weed and bring it up to date. Ha and now I have the code name for this school: cowboy school.
There are some great neighborhoods in the area as well so it looks like I'll probably have to drive to school but should be able to walk to various downtowns. Next week is I think going to be a busy but lighter week. That's when the faculty and new students reconnect, so I'll be doing lots of hi, I'm the librarian, how can I help? I'll also be contacting the realtor then so I can start looking at places and start thinking about where I'll make my home. Life is full but pretty good.
This weekend, I'm taking deep breaths and enjoying walking around and writing. There's finally progress on my
ineedmyfic's story and I've got some thoughts on how to write about all of this job stuff on my librarian blog.
This entry is also posted at http://ceitfianna.dreamwidth.org/350741.html. Please comment wherever you'd like.
Most of the orientation has been about how the school works because it has a quite specific philosophy and a lot of gifted students. Thursday we learned about the philosophy, how the school approaches their students and what we as faculty/staff need to do to fit in. It was fascinating but left me completely drained by the end. Yesterday, we talked to current and veteran teachers who spoke to us about what the philosophy means in action. It really comes down to create structure, allow for flexibility and be prepared for a constant and respectful dialogue with students and parents.
I also spent most of the afternoon, scribbling ideas about how to make the library actually feel like a library. Currently it feels more like a nice conference room/tech lab with some books in it. It needs zones, lower bookshelves, and a desk for me in the main room as well as things to show yes, library outside of it. During the day, I spoke to many people about my ideas and got lots of yes, I like that and yes, very true, so I'm feeling like I've got the right momentum. Its going to be quite uphill as the Middle/Upper School has never really had a library that works like a library, so I'll have to convince teachers that I can help them out and students that the library has more to offer than a space to hang out.
After orientation, I finished most of my paperwork, there's a little bit still left. I need to get fingerprinted and sort out my healthcare things but I'll get paid the second week in September, I didn't get all the paperwork done quick enough to get paid at the start of September.
One thing that makes me grin about this school is that the mascot is the Rough Riders, I've already got an idea of how to play with that librarywise. Luckily the collection's in good shape as they had a consultant come in and weed and bring it up to date. Ha and now I have the code name for this school: cowboy school.
There are some great neighborhoods in the area as well so it looks like I'll probably have to drive to school but should be able to walk to various downtowns. Next week is I think going to be a busy but lighter week. That's when the faculty and new students reconnect, so I'll be doing lots of hi, I'm the librarian, how can I help? I'll also be contacting the realtor then so I can start looking at places and start thinking about where I'll make my home. Life is full but pretty good.
This weekend, I'm taking deep breaths and enjoying walking around and writing. There's finally progress on my
ineedmyfic's story and I've got some thoughts on how to write about all of this job stuff on my librarian blog.
This entry is also posted at http://ceitfianna.dreamwidth.org/350741.html. Please comment wherever you'd like.