Teachers

The Library with Ms. Perez

By Sofia Knobloch and Isabella Steengracht van Moyland

There is a lot to explore in the New Paltz Middle School library that many don’t even know about. However, Ms. Perez knows everything there is to know about the library! There’s such a variety of things to do besides just checking out and reading books. We interviewed Ms. Perez and got the inside scoop on the library. 

Us: How long have you been working in the library?

Ms. Perez: I have been working in the NPMS library for four years.

Us: What is the best part about working in the library?

Ms. Perez: The best part about working in the library is having the opportunity to connect kids with the books that are just right for them. This is called readers’ advisory. I love connecting with students by finding out what they are interested in. I especially enjoy when students come back to return their books and tell me how much they enjoyed them. 

Us: What is the worst part about working in the library?

Ms. Perez: I would say encouraging students to put down their chromebooks and read a book, color, do a puzzle, or draw once they are finished with their work is probably something I wish I didn’t have to do so often! Helping students find a healthy balance between online and offline activities is really important and something I am always trying to assist with throughout the day.

Us: What is the most popular genre of book you see kids checking out?

Ms. Perez: Kids tend to gravitate towards horror and murder mystery in the fall and winter months. I think that has a lot to do with how fun it is to be cozy and warm inside while getting scared. In general graphic novels of all kinds tend to fly off the shelves the fastest. I love taking student suggestions for what book I should purchase next!

Us: When was the library first built?

Ms. Perez: The library used to be much smaller than this! The new library was built in 2017 and is a beautiful space with a classroom and plenty of space for everyone. 

Us: What does the library have to offer for people that might not be sure?

Ms. Perez: The library offers so much more than people realize! We have the latest and best reviewed books coming in all the time as well as a huge graphic novels section. In addition to that we have an art cart, crafts, a manga drawing station, puzzles, chess, checkers, and many other games. We are open for recess and study hall everyday and love to see new faces!

Us: Why did you start working in the library?

Ms. Perez: I became a school librarian because I really want to instill a love of reading in as many kids as I can. The comfort of slipping into a great book is a lifelong gift that can bring joy in so many ways. As a librarian I hope to inspire that ability in my students. I also love the teaching aspect of school librarianship. It truly is the best of both worlds.

Books are an opportunity to expand your horizons and picture something new! The library is a perfect place to unwind your mind and lose yourself in a book. Go venture there sometime!

Teacher Feature: Mr. Mead

 By: Henry Bayer, Sofia Knobloch, and Waverly Swan

This Mirror edition’s teacher feature is our amazing 6th grade teacher Mr. Mead! Mr. Mead makes learning a fun and exciting experience for kids. Even though we think some subjects are boring and hard, Mr. Mead shows us that we can have fun while doing them. We interviewed Mr. Mead and learned that there is way more to him than your average dad joke-telling teacher. 

Us: Did you always want to be a teacher? If not, what have you wanted to be?

Mr. Mead: Nope, I wanted to be a lumberjack, so I became a lumberjack, I kind of became both. I have only been teaching here for 10 years. 

Us: Do you enjoy being a teacher? What is your favorite part?

Mr. Mead: While we are in class I like doing all these activities and showing my creative side and making it a better experience for you guys. 

Us: What is your favorite subject to teach?

Mr. Mead: Math, a hundred percent, I take this subject and make it fun. Because for everyone it is usually the worst part of the day. 

Us: What do you want to do when you retire? 

Mr. Mead: I really like building things but I will be cutting trees till the end. 

Us: What grade was the best to teach?

Mr. Mead: 6th, because you guys still like to have a good time. I have also taught 5th and 1st grade. 1st grade is……. tough.

Us: What has inspired you to become a teacher?

Mr. Mead: A snow storm. Back when I was a lumberjack, and I worked 100 hours that week there WAS so much snow. My brother was a teacher and I liked the idea of staying home during that huge snow storm. So I was already planning on going back to school to become a teacher. That snow was inspiring.    

 Fun fact: Mr. Mead went around in a Nascar at 140 miles an hour. 

Us: What is your favorite color?

Mr. Mead: GREEN!!!!

Us: What is your favorite animal? 

               Mr. Mead: White tailed deer (NOT bears).

Here are a few more facts about Mr Mead: He is a sixth grade math and social studies teacher. As a kid Mr. Mead’s favorite subject was science, and his favorite special was physical education. If he had to teach another subject it would be shop class. Mr Mead says he doesn't have any fears in fact, fear’s biggest problem is Mr Mead (his words not mine). Mr Mead is happy when he is outside and building things. His favorite foods are venison and cucumbers, and his least favorite food is candy. Mr Mead enjoys watching old b-movies that are unintentionally funny (b-movies are movies that are produced quickly, and on a low budget). 

Finally Mr Mead would like everyone to know that he loves his students.

Guess the next articles teacher 

Shout out to Derek Chen, Aya Rock-Stryker, Ruthie Vance, and Camille Reid for guessing correctly. The Hints about the next teacher; One they used to work in a magnet factory, and they have climbed a 12,500 ft mountain in Costa Rica. Thanks for reading!