Jean Darnell: Awaken Librarian

So my co-worker/friend, Michael Davenport , have this on-going collaborative nature between us! We're constantly bouncing ideas off of each other. Our latest initiative was the idea to record our PDAS observations. This way well intentioned principals can catch all the AWESOMENESS that educators do, that they might not have noticed while in the classroom observing and/or conducting a walk-through. Here's my tweet to bring the Texas Education Agency's attention to our grand idea: @teainfo @txeduchat Why not video PDAS observ. so Ts/Admin can view at their leisure all domain levels? Add peer evaluation too! #txlchat — awakenlibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) May 28, 2015 I mentioned this to @teainfo @txeduchat yesterday! Well intentioned leaders miss measurable moments! May I help out? https://t.co/r9Um6hwRcw — awakenlibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) May 29, 2015 Well, being the overachiever, nutty blossom that I am, I wanted to research what resources were already out there...

So as my kiddos at Goodman Elementary know, I LOVE to give away FREE BOOKS! I'm a fervent believer in kiddos having their own library at home! My kids have a library each of their own and they constantly see me reading. My hope is to one day leave them my library with all my various genres so they can hold it, see my earmarks and notes and reconnect with me, though I physically may be gone! Below are the books I gave away today with their research questions. It concludes with this morning's broadcast announcements! I hope you enjoy! The research: Name 5 writers from the Romantic Period (1800-1850) with one of them being a woman. (Aimed at 5th graders) The research: Name 6 different types of dogs. (Aimed at grades 1st through 4th). The research: Name 6 different famous chefs. (Aimed at grades 1st-5th). Book Give-a-ways! from AwakenLibrarian on Vimeo . Here's the Rutabaga: The Adventure Chef trailer referenced in the morning broadcast: Rutabaga-T...

As librarians, we wear so many hats: book goddess, tech tibrarian (technology and librarian) and makerspace maven! I've been trying to think of everything we do and I'm just shocked that I have any energy left. Below is a brief Prezi of this year's accomplishments. For those librarians and administrators wanting a more in depth look, the Google document goes into specifics. But for those of you who follow my blog, you know this is my digital resume or bionic baby, as I refer to it! Here's the digital in-depth version as promised: As you've probably gathered from my blog, I'm quite open and straight-forward. It's the librarian in me! :) Here's an evaluation of my role as a librarian from a Digital Resources Librarian. Additionally, here it is (finally) my evaluation from my current principal 2014-2015 at Goodman ES: Additionally, here are some screen shots of additional collaboration w/colleagues in the district and staff:

This week we celebrate all the teachers in our lives! My inspirational teacher was Ron Shafer . He embraced me during a tumultuous time in my childhood, when my parents divorced. He told me to never be ashamed of my wits or self. So I honor him as the first teacher that loved the inner me! Now, I get to pay it forward. I'm eternally grateful for the lives I touch everyday! Even though the accolades may not come from the higher ups, they do reveal themselves in the smiles and hugs I get from my students older and younger! I may not remember all their names, but I do recall their faces! Here's a template and some notes of adoration I received from my best patrons: my kids! Enjoy!

Just like Oprah, I love it when I find a NEW FAVORITE THING! At the moment it just so happens to be Vanessa Brantley-Newton , illustrator extraordinaire! Why do I love her? Because she's doing what I wish my hands would've done better than writing... drawing! Why should you care? Well, more than likely if you're reading my blog, then you're a bibliophile ! Brantley-Newton is getting my kiddos--minority and not--to see DIVERSELY when it comes to illustrating books! And, there's nothing wrong with that! Feel free to use this cute trailer based on samples from the book: The Hula-hoopin' Queen from AwakenLibrarian on Vimeo . Here's my review that includes her vibrant and diverse illustrations! The Hula-Hoopin' Queen by Thelma Lynne Godin My rating: 5 of 5 stars I LOVED THIS BOOK! Mainly because I considered myself the HHQ in my neighborhood! Don't ask me to do it anymore, for it's a hot mess! Kameeka and Jamara are typical "...

So you heard that I've been living it up at  TLA (#txla15) for National Librarian's Week? Yep, that's true...when you're reaching for the stars, it doesn't hurt to touch the ones you already admire! Here's the low-down: Mutual Inspiration: After reading and scaring kiddos with his books, it was a dream beyond belief to meet Michael Dahl ! We shared scary stories & I shared the Halloween lessons we did, leaving him inspired. You don't believe me? Like his Facebook and ask him what lesson he took from "Duchess the Librarian?" And before I forget, for my kids at Goodman ES, Mr. Dahl isn't just a scary writer...recognize these books: Another year visiting & supporting the wonderful writing of Don Tate! Thank you Don, Chris and Jen Burton and EVERYONE at Eerdman's Books for Young Readers (Anita & Kathleen)! Andrea Pinkney challenged us to embrace diversity and write a "Letter to Diversity," as she shared her own...

EVEN BIGGER UPDATE! I just met, shook hands and bragged to Jonathan about the awesome jobs my kiddos are doing with his novel! So... BIG UPDATE: I tweeted the author of The Night Gardener, JONATHAN AUXIER , and he just responded to my tweet! Aaaahh! @JonathanAuxier You just made my day! :) Thank you so much for your validation for us #librarians ! #txlchat #txla15 #awesome Best wishes! — awakenlibrarian (@awakenlibrarian) April 8, 2015 In my continued celebration of Poetry Month, I created a little "How-to" video on creating a BLACKOUT POEM! They're extremely simple to do and I hope you enjoy. Here are some still shots of the pages from the video: BTW, I used the book called The Night Gardener in the video. Check out the book cover, author interview and Texas Bluebonnet trailer: