I did not come to my MLIS journey from a teacher background as many of my fellow UNCG classmates did. I felt self-conscious of this and woefully behind. But I had no need to fear. UNCG has prepared me in ways I never could have imagined! Now into my 9th month as a full-time School Librarian, there is no way I could have done this job without all that I've learned here. Though not without the usual first-time Librarian jitters, I am confident in what I can deliver to my entire learning community.
From my LIS 669 Education Implications and Learning Development Theory with Professor Walters, I gained the knowledge I was missing in how learning happens, cognitive and information processing, the power of motivation and universal design, and various teaching pedagogies. What I learned in this class bled into so many others, such as using backwards design for inquiry-based lesson plans that engage and motivate learners. An example of this is my "Inquiry Unit Plan" assignment from LIS 654. My knowledge in culturally responsive pedagogies enhanced my ability to provide equitable access and a diversity of information, resources, and formats after consulting data to make evidence-based collection development decisions, such as with the CSA and CAMP assignments in LIS 653.
My studies at UNCG have also made me much more confident in collaborating with my teachers and outside organizations to grow students learning outcomes. My Professional Development assignment in LIS 693 speaks to this encompassing collaboration, teaching my teachers how to use a research resource available at our public library while carrying out a year-long initiative to get public library cards for all of our students. I now feel advocacy to be an achievable and doable goal as well, thanks to my learning at UNCG. My Advocacy Plan assignment from LIS 653 gave me the hands-on learning I needed to feel strong and confident in continually advocating on behalf of my library program and diverse student and teacher needs.
One thing I appreciate so much about this program, and that I have mentioned over and over to my spouse, is the real-world expertise it has given me. Nearly all assignments were projects that I could see myself using in my real library, benefiting real people. The Practicum work done in LIS 692 gave me hands-on experience and networking opportunity with a local, certified School Librarian. The Interview and Reflection paper in LIS 650 allowed me the opportunity to speak with a different, local certified School Librarian about her management and supervisory experience. All of this and so much more make me ever grateful for a Masters of Library and Information Sciences from UNCG. I am now equipped with an understanding of best practices in librarianship and teaching, collection and space management and development, equitable information and resource access, defending and safe-guarding intellectual freedom, advocating for the value of libraries, and instilling 21st Century skills in a fast-paced, information heavy global world.