Kaitlin Fink

teacher, reader, creator of things

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

Doing both is so important. Sharing ideas can lead to collaboration - and seeking out ideas from Ts, admins, & others in the school builds a two-way street #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

[Molly @burnsiebookworm]

A4: By being open to #collaboration and sharing ideas with others. @ischoolk12 #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

I love the way you phrased it..."they must see us as the solution." #whoyougonnacall #schoollibrarians!

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

This year, one of my former 4th graders is having a hard time. One of the 5th grade teachers asked me how I "did it" with that kiddo. I formed a relationship with him. He knew I cared. He trusted me. Kids don't trust people they think don't like them.

[Bookn3rd2 @bookn3rd2]

A.3 As a Classroom T, I always made a point to find out what each S was interested in. If I cld connect w them on a topic outside of school (music etc), it formed a relationship w/that S. Relationships must b established or no true growth can be made. #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

A.3: Build relationships. Talk to your Ss. Attend community events & at least wave at your Ss (since 1/2 of them won't look at you anyway). Let them know you see their whole selves & then foster that connection w/in the library/classroom #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

So true. So. True. #flashcardsfromthe70s #whatsinthecloset

[Kimberly Claire @the_bees_knees]

And not just mental resources either. Who of us has all the STUFF we need to teach? Make friends and share stuff! Need a globe from the 60s for a lesson on the cold war? Someones got one somewhere! Need a plastic lobster? ask the #theatreteacher #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

You are so right! It isn't about just teacher success--it's about the students. Our success directly impacts their success.

[shelf_lovecchs165 @lovecchs165]

A.2 Collegiality has been a huge part of my personal success. Creating a community of educators that works together, enhancing each others strengths and helping with weaknesses is imperative to student/teacher success.#is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

A.2: We are not islands. We come into contact with all kinds of people in all kinds of positions every day in a school, and we need to be able to work with any/everyone! Plus, work colleagues often become good friends because they GET IT #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

I think what you said at the end is important for any and everyone! We all need to seek out the best professional development that fits what we need and what our students need at that time. But for the school librarian, this might be most important

[Melissa Majewski @TravelingLib]

A.1: The school librarian shows commitment by supporting principal/district initiatives. His/her role is to apply teaching and learning expertise in an accessible way for Ts. It is crucial that the librarian personally seeks out his/her own professional growth. #IS516 @ischoolk12

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

Have you listened to @MonicaGentaEd's podcast, This Teacher Life? I love the tips & tricks & encouragement she offers!

[Claire Michaels @clairemicha4]

A.1 You can show commitment to continual professional growth by reading professionally, listening to professional podcasts and then sharing about what you learned during PD moments or through your practice. #is516 #schoollibrarianleadership

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

I like the way you phrased it as a "collaborative culture of learning." We can't just expect our students to learn. They will learn by example!

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

A.1: Firm believer that the day you think you know everything is the day you need to retire. Being a lifelong learner sets a great example for all students. I'm always on the look out for new PD ideas & read several academic/literacy journals for ideas #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

Hi there! This 4th grade teacher is ready for our last #is516 Twitter chat through @iSchoolK12 #winterbreakiscoming

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

Embrace that growth mindset! You're never done learning, never done improving. There's always more space in the sky to shoot for! #is516

[Molly @burnsiebookworm]

A3: I think it’s important to KEEP looking for ways to improve, instead of stopping once you achieve your 1st goal. For instance, once we have a fulltime librarian in each building, we can work toward more #coteaching opportunities. @ischoolK12 #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

Spring & plant metaphors are always welcome, any weather day :) and so very applicable to schools/students! #is516

[kateqg @ktqg915]

Yeah, patience might be key here, and dogged determination. Relationships need roots to grow, so you have to have patience while planting (spring metaphor for a snowy day) #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

This is such a good point! It is so easy to get burned out when you aren't seeing immediate results, but by making the steps smaller and more manageable, you can see the little bits of growth leading to your big growth #is516

[Kimberly Claire @the_bees_knees]

A3: Part of long-term advocacy is avoiding burn out (both of the asker and the “ask-ee”) Talking about larger goals, and smaller steps, makes a journey of advocacy on a project sustainable for all involved. Growth is slow, like trees #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

A.3: I think to embrace it as a long-term activity, you have to be aware that results won’t happen immediately. YOU NEED TIME TO MAKE IT COUNT! And so then, at its core, it will be long-term because it should never stop. More relationships are built & more kids reached #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

Such a great reminder! We have to be the ones to tell our story! If we don't, then it goes unheard and unseen and isn't seen as a valuable place to put resources. #is516

[MrsA @malbrecht3317]

A2: It means documentation, documentation, documentation. Documenting all of the productive & valuable activities & lessons in which S’s partake in the library as much as possible. Then it’s easy to share out for promotional purposes. #is516 @iSchoolK12

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

A.2: Advocacy should feel as natural as teaching, as breathing. It should be something we are doing all the time at various scales because it informs others of our passion and the lengths we are willing to go for it...and you want us on your team because of it! #is516

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

I've found that while we assume kids are tech savvy, they aren't necessarily computer savvy. They know how to work all of their tablets/devices, but they don't know how to use them responsibly. And they like to try to touch the computer screen.... #is516

[Anastasiya Olkanetskaya @litcritcorner]

A1. Digital literacy! Assuming that students as digital natives are experts in the field is entirely false. Many of them have the world at their fingertips but do not know how to access it. It is so much scarier with fake news/clickbait drawing their attention. #is516 @iSchoolk12

[Kaitlin Fink @K8linNic]

AMEN! This tweet needs to go viral (and be seen by the stakeholders in my district) #is516

[Molly @burnsiebookworm]

A1: I will never stop advocating to have a full time, certified librarian in every building. There are so many benefits - literacy, test scores, mental health...the list goes on! @iSchoolK12 #is516