Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian

For #InternationalWomensDay, a Literary Hub author Jess Decourcy Hinds, selected librarians who inspire her...and I MADE THE LIST! 🥰 Truth be told, this mention lifted my day above the clouds. I overwork, overthink and overanalyze just about everything I interact with so much so that I deplete my energy reserves without regard to rest. But this...the title and all of my peers included within the article speaks to the fearlessness librarians and women MUST have to endure in this world led predominantly by those who want to silence us. Normally, I'm celebrating the accomplishments of women who inspired me for Women's History Month, but this time, the table's turned. I embrace the honor and present to you: "8 Badass Librarians We Need to Celebrate This International Women's Day"

 This month has been back to back celebration of all the excellence Black trailblazers, innovators and Ancestors contributed to our nation. I couldn't be more proud to share snippets of the library's efforts to honor Black History then  and now . In honor of BHM then the library sponsored a Quilting Bee where we worked on patches to add to our "Dessau Unity Quilt" that the wonderful Mrs. Vickie West will compile into a wonderful quilt to display in the library. Here's a video highlighting excerpts from the day! Because so much of African American's history is riddled with unfortunate hatred and bondage, it was imperative that the BHM now centered on understanding the struggles of those ahead of us who fought the good fight. Therefore, we made a "light-hearted research" activity (light = research w/o a paper) and combined it with art to create a unique twist on our "Family Tree." This is what happens when you collaborate w/...

Without further adieu, I must inform you that I just had the ABSOLUTE BEST DAY in the library. Yesterday, we broke through the mirage of the "stereotypical" princess. We took the "rescue me" mentality up a notch, removed the prince and added the vitamin of EMPOWERMENT into the mix. Come on this journey with me, as yesterday changed my perspective in the best way possible! "Color Me a Princess Tea" short movie from AwakenLibrarian on Vimeo . We had a panel of distinguished guests: Rashika Robinson (biology major, baker/entrepreneur) Miss Katy Teen 2017 Sydney Felton (17 y/o dancer, student and motivational speaker) Tina B. (engineer, poet, musician) Courtnie Penson ( Freed-Montrose Librarian , social worker, doctoral canidate) April Carson and Rhonda James ( YWCA Houston Community Outreach and Director of Programs ) Sybil Moss (educator, pagent organizer, motivational coach) The ultimate goal: Make yourself the heroine in your life wit...

It's NATIONAL NINJA DAY!!!!! I'm super excited to post this and know some of my followers have already started the festivities! Here's my spin... @NinjasRead We're celebrating our #NinjaNames for #NationalNinjaDay ! Get ready, as we'll post our activities all day long! Sensei KuzuMotoki pic.twitter.com/1Mxp0RG5tE — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) December 5, 2016 If you want to learn your own Ninja Name , then check out Ninjas Reads.com to get more ninja resources like the following: Any librarian worth their salt, knows about the marvelous resources available via GetEpic ! Here's a wonderful resource for "How to Draw a Ninja !" Here's a collage of our drawings! We received the anointing nod of Mr. Shoo Rayner, the artist who taught us how to draw those aforementioned ninjas! @awakenlibrarian @EpicKidsBooks fantastic drawings. Well done ! — Shoo Rayner (@shoorayner) December 7, 2016 If drawing isn't your thing, but you...

Tomorrow is... We're kicking off our celebration with "Story Webs!" However, instead of a boring graphic organizer (LOL), I made it interactive with a ball of yarn, some giggle and one classic story! We featured a great updated version of the "Three Ninja Pigs" with Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat's " The Three Ninja Pigs " See all the excitement with our iMovie recap: International Literacy Day from AwakenLibrarian on Vimeo . Here's the campus wide challenge that we gave staff members: For more resources on how you can incorporation some literacy and reading fun check out 11 Creative Reading Incentives for You Classroom ! As a bonus, I came across this wonderful Eduphoria find for teaching literary analysis. I just had to share! :) Big Update: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY NEW PRINCIPAL! She's a former librarian and she loves reading to the students! Her SUPER-POWER is spreading the joy of literacy! Thank you, Mrs. Metoye...

As promised, if you want to win one of the three Eric Dean Seaton's LEGEND OF THE MANTAMAJI , PLEASE make sure you answer ALL questions, including your name, grade and teacher (NGT) . Without NGT, I don't know who wins the book and I will selected the next winner! Also, you must be 12 yrs or older to win this book! Don't miss out because you didn't follow directions...oh and ABSOLUTELY NO CHEATING!! Yes, I can figure out if you've cheated...kiddos! Here's a short (film) hot from the Legend of Mantamaji website! Loading... Here's an interview with the AWESOME Mr. Seaton! And, yes, I met Mr. Seaton at the Texas Library Association's Annual Conference this year!

Yesterday was Coretta Scott King's Birthday ...if you're amiss to who she is check this out: Now that you're familiar...on Mrs. King's birthday, I received notification that a LONG-TIME dream of mine came true...beginning this summer, I will be on the Coretta Scott King Book Award Committee! HALLELUJAH! I can't express how excited I am, but you know I had to share with those who've always supported my role as a librarian...YOU! Apr 27- #CorettaScottKing 's bday-I received word that I'm selected to serve in the #CSKbookaward committee! #txlchat pic.twitter.com/PnpugTwnHu — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 28, 2016 This "brown girl's dreaming!" Thank you @ALALibrary #CorettaScottKing comm for selecting me! @FBISD_Libraries #FBISD pic.twitter.com/ulTml5P6gH — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 28, 2016 @awakenlibrarian OMG! OMG! My LIFE's DREAM ! U GO WITH YOUR BAD SELF pic.twitter.com/1jKVbhUBhy ...

Here's my recap of the Texas Library Association's Annual Conference . Let me begin by saying, I loved the reflection of "Black Leadership" on some panels for TLA! Loving #blackleadership in literature @TXLA ! @levarburton @earlsewell @EricDeanSeaton #MinorityHeroesEXIST ! #txla16 pic.twitter.com/Iqb8P2ijGZ — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 20, 2016 TY @TXLA 's #BlackCaucus breakfast! @earlsewell , "Are you a meaningful specific or a wandering generality?" #txla16 pic.twitter.com/Moe8ystc1j — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 20, 2016 Thanks to @EricDeanSeaton I'm bringing a #SuperheroLikeMe back to @Goodman_Owls ! #txla16 pic.twitter.com/RIXo1EEL5c — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 20, 2016 Also, I was blessed enough to win a full collection of The Legend of Mantamaji! Woo-hoo! I'm super excited to share with my older kiddos! But the BEST example of black leadership...me! :) Congrats to librarians @a...

Woo-hoo! It's National Library Week! Are you participating in the ALA National Library Week Challenge?? I am! :) @ALALibrary Here's my #bannedbook from the 2015 list! 😈 #LibrariesTransform #photochallenge #LoveMySchoolLibrary pic.twitter.com/vAOEJnU2lW — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 11, 2016 Happy #NLWD2016 Myself & Mrs. Noceja-my beloved Kindergarten #coworker / #friend !! #WNDLibs @ALALibrary pic.twitter.com/llmLkhufRB — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 12, 2016 The best part of my #library 's the entrance door: Seeing those kiddos' smiles, hugs & exuberance inspires me! #NLW16 pic.twitter.com/f50iA27vSq — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 13, 2016 Libraries inspire hope w/in the community& provide the resources needed to achieve their dreams! #LibrariesTransform pic.twitter.com/u6ZLZo3csg — AwakenLibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 14, 2016 Pls chk out how we've celebrated #NLW16 ...

"Who's the man with the Master Plan from the land of Gracie, Grace? Herc! Herc! Needless to say, we LOVED the Texas Bluebonnet Winner When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip-Hop! by Laban Hill w/illustrations by Theodore Taylor III. Here's our "Shout-out:" When the Beat was born takes us through the coming about of one of the first DJs nationally known, DJ Kool Herc! It's a phenomenal recount of the passionate zeal of one soul struck by the majesty of music! Find out more about DJ Kool Herc here : Here's an interview with DJ Kool Herc explaining how he first established the merry-go-round for the turntables: Let's finish up with this "HILARIOUS" one handed windmill freeze! Lol! :) Shorty d at dance class @break dance #break dance https://t.co/SBp7STQY69 — awakenlibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) March 22, 2016 One baby-girl in the library owned the one-handed handstand! SHE IS MY ROLE-MODEL...FOR REAL! :) ...

It's that time again, THE BOOK FAIR! This go-around I decided to do things a little bit differently. I created a "How-to" video for my kiddos, as well as some other digital tidbits! :) Please enjoy and will us some good favor/positive thoughts so that we reach our highest goal yet, $8,000! Now before you (my eager students) get too excited, remember our ground rules: 1. Check the back of the books/items for prices. 2. Put things back where you found them. 3. Ask for help. 4. Don't forget to include tax! 5. Books before bobbles! Bobbles being the gadget/toys you want to buy 1st! Like these... and we can't forget these... So, please come on out and support us next week! We'll see you in our LITERARY GALAXY! Book Fair's almost here! Shop online: https://t.co/3HrYrSvHXh . Grandparents Night Tues, 4-6 pm. TY for your support! pic.twitter.com/AkP9ZR5AId — Goodman_Owls (@Goodman_Owls) March 3, 2016 GRAND TOTAL FOR THE BOOK FAIR WAS $7,27...

Oh yeah...today is READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY! It's also known as Dr. Seuss' Birthday! Woo-Hoo! Please enjoy our celebration of the wondrous talent of Theodore Geisel ! Here's my son as "Thing 1!" Celebrating #ReadAcrossAmerica today! #FBISD TY @awakenlibrarian for your support! See here: https://t.co/AaWxsoFeKF pic.twitter.com/YXS25A8u0j — Goodman_Owls (@Goodman_Owls) March 2, 2016 Check out this blog post on the Seuss Memorial in Springfield, Massachusetts ! Here's a Vine of my students reading aloud on "Read Across America" Day! I'm super proud! We've a FANTASTIC update: Epic Reads responded to our tweet! Way to go!!! @awakenlibrarian This is adorable! Thanks so much for resending it, we're so glad we got to see this! We agree, he's amazing! :) — Epic! (@EpicKidsBooks) March 11, 2016

I love fairy tales, it's a hallmark for every literate culture! Today's National Tell A Fairy Tale Day ! Senorita Gordita by Helen Ketteman My rating: 4 of 5 stars For National #TellaFairyTaleDay, I dusted off this Latino version of "The Gingerbread Man" for my primarily bilingual campus! It's a wonderful rendition for inclusion of ELL learners! Instead of a gingerbread man, we have "Senorita Gordita!" Much like I would imagine a gordita would be if it came to life, Senorita Gordita is hot and sassy! But though she can "gas pass" her hungry enemies, it her wit, she needs to watch out for! I won't spoil it for you, but as an wise old owl said, "There's a time to be quiet and a time to speak." I'll ad-lib this "There's a time to diet and a time to eat!" Lol! Enjoy! :) View all my reviews Here's a wonderful collection of activities to do with Senorita Gordita, as well as other fairy-tales! E...

Here's my "Owlet News" library newsletter! Please enjoy!

I can't say how much I enjoy making a newsletter using Smore.com ! Please take a look at our October Newsletter. You will find a few lesson resources and helpful tips! My next post is my HALLOWEEN SPECIAL!!

As a former teacher and now LIBRARIAN (but still a teacher forever-more) I always look forward to the "noticed" recognition for the countless hours, tears and hearts we mend...muchless the teaching, inspiring and parenting we do "day in and day out." Therefore, to all my fellow teachers... THANK YOU! WE LOVE YOU! KEEP GUIDING THOSE KIDDOS TOWARDS ENLIGHTENMENT! and enjoy this wonderful article on "The Goal of Education." Here's an excerpt: Most of us would prefer our children become the very best people they can be, capable of effective thinking, acting, relating, and accomplishing in whatever field they enjoy and have a passion for. Rarely do we expect our K-12 kids to become anything besides good test-takers. We certainly don't expect them, by means of their education, to become what the Dalai Lama might call "good" people. Nor do we expect them to become good thinkers, actors, relaters, or particularly effective in o...

What I want to discuss today is a fellow blogger and librarian, Ingrid Abrams--The Magpie Librarian . Recently, she was featured in a Slate.com article titled, "This is What a Librarian Looks Like." http://magpielibrarian.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/slates-this-is-what-a-librarian-looks-like-this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things/ Why this article is important to me (and all librarians) is because often times, librarians are stereotyped. I can't count the number of times folks look at me bewildered when I say, "I'm a librarian." It's like they're in disbelief that I am. Why? "Where's the disillusionment coming from?" is what I want to ask. So this insightful article about the diversity of librarians truly validated my belief: not all librarians are Caucasian ladies with glasses and prudent behavior. Kyle Cassidy, photographer and Slate.com contributing writer, decided at ALA's Mid-winter Conference to feature the wonderful...

This info graphic dictates the UBER importance of THE LIBRARY!

Yes, it's a classic children's book: Miss Nelson is Missing. It was my favorite book because I loved my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Anderson (Fraizer Elementary, Pasadena ISD). She was a sweet as Miss Nelson and when Mrs. Anderson missed school, I felt like finding her because the classroom was madness. Because the start of the school year is buzzing through the air, I thought tenderly on my first day of Kindergarten. My own almost 5 yr. old will attend Kindergarten on Tuesday. I found this wonderful re-enactment video of a Kindergarten class making a "Miss Nelson is Missing Video!" BRAVO, to the performers and please enjoy!