Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover: A Podcast for Future Ready Librarians

Episode 2.13 features a guest from outside the world of education, Madyson Burgess. Madyson is the Managing Partner at Panoramic Group. Alyssa and Madyson met on the first day of 6th grade (an undisclosed) number of years ago and have been friends ever since. Although business and education may seem a world apart, Madyson takes the insights she has discovered through the years to be applicable to you and your library program. We talk about building your influence, having tough conversations, and the importance of building relationships. I got so much out of our conversation and I’m sure you will, too. Madyson is a Tennessee native who left to attend THE Ohio State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degrees in Integrated Marketing and History and her Master’s in Strategic Marketing and Survey Research. She began her career as a digital strategist for IBM IX, working with powerhouse brands like Victoria’s Secret, Apple and Wendy’s to design digital strategies of the future. She is currently the Managing Partner of Panoramic Group, an insights-to-strategy consortium headquartered in Atlanta. In her spare time, she loves to travel the Rocky Mountains with her husband David and spend time with their rescued five dogs Lady, Dixie, Libby, Colt, and Dinah. Madyson can be reached through her website www.thinkingpanoramic.com Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Episode 2.12 features AASL president, Mary Keeling. Stephanie & Mary met almost five years ago through Lilead and Mary impressed everyone with her view of school libraries, advocacy work, and was just a wealth of knowledge. Let me tell you, you will get that knowledge today! Marry Keeling, MSLS, EdS, is Supervisor of Library Media Services in Newport News, VA. Prior to her work as an elementary school librarian, Mary worked in academic and museum libraries. She has served as president of her state school library association, chair of the AASL Supervisors Section, and on several AASL committees. She is an adjunct for Old Dominion University; has written and taught courses for AASL eCollab; and written for School Library Monthly, Knowledge Quest, and Library Media Connection. Mary is currently the AASL president. Mary can be reached at aaslpresident@ala.org or @AASLpresident. Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Happy 2020! With the New Year starting, we are excited to share this episode featuring Heather West. Heather has worked for MNPS for 13 years, all at Glencliff Elementary where she also did her student teaching as an undergrad student at Vanderbilt. Heather’s teaching experience is in Kindergarten and first grade but she has found a love of all elementary grade levels in her role as librarian for the last 8 years. Heather is a mom to a 6 year old boy and has recently enjoyed introducing him to the Harry Potter series. Heather is an avid reader, mostly of the mystery genre and has to read every book recommended by Reese Witherspoon. When she isn’t working, reading, or doing mom duties she loves to cook & travel. You can connect with Heather via Twitter @Kidsinthestacks or by email at Heather.West@mnps.org In this episode we discuss her reluctance to do makerspaces (the story ends well though!), having a clerkless library, setting goals and how to find your passion in the New Year. There is so much good advice and quotes from Heather in this episode. She even shares her favorite quote by Steve Martin, “Be so good that they can’t ignore you.” Such a great listen to start the new year! MNPS benefits information: https://www.mnpshealth.org/ Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Episode 2.10 features Erika Long, librarian at Thurgood Marshall Middle School with Metro Nashville Public Schools. Erika is active in ALA, AASL, Tennessee Library Association (TLA) and the Tennessee Association of School Librarians (TASL). She has served on TLA’s Advisory Council and is currently President-Elect. She previously served AASL on Standards Crosswalk Task Force and as interim Regional Director, and is currently chair of the Presidential Initiative Task Force. She has twice been named an AASL Social Media Superstar finalist and was part of the ALA Presidential Initiative: Fight for School Libraries. She has previously blogged for The Horn Book and TASL Talks. You can connect with her on Twitter @erikaslong or email her at erika.long@mnps.org. ALA Video: https://youtu.be/bKwePnkjGgM Lego Education: https://education.lego.com/en-us Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Episode 2.9: Everyone Can Code We are so excited to share this special sister edition of the podcast. Alyssa talks with her sister, Chelsey Guttery who is the Computer Technology Teacher at Lincoln Heights Middle School in Morristown, Tennessee and a Facilitator for Code.org. We chat about the importance of teaching coding and what it can do for a student’s future. Chelsey makes it clear that everyone can learn to code and teach coding- no experience necessary! Chelsey can be reached at chelseyguttery@gmail.com or on Twitter @mrsguttery Ozobots https://ozobot.com Code.org https://code.org Hour of Code https://hourofcode.com/us Coding with Ana and Elsa https://studio.code.org/s/frozen/stage/1/puzzle/1 Tennessee Digital Readiness Standards https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/stateboardofeducation/documents/standards/Computer%20Science%20Standards%20Draft%203.7.2018v1.5_MH_BC-1_VM_MH.pdf Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Metro Nashville Public Schools Library Services department hosts a bi-weekly podcast called Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover: A Podcast for Future Ready Librarians. This podcast is tailored for school librarians and educators. Our conversations focus on changing the perception of school librarians, improving instructional practices, being a collaborative partner and essentially just great library talk. Our newest episode features Caitlin McLemore. Caitlin is currently the Middle and Upper School Librarian and Technology Specialist at Shorecrest Prepatory School in St Petersburg, FL. She is a Google Certified Innovator, Apple Teacher and Common Sense Educator. Caitlin was named an ISTE Emerging Leader in 2017 and an ISTE Outstanding Young Educator in 2018. Among all of her outstanding credentials and honors, Caitlin is also the co-author of the book "Stretch Yourself: A Personalized Journey to Deepen Your Teaching Practice." In episode 2.8, Caitlin shares advice to disrupt the traditional ideas of what a library looks like. She encourages librarians to take action and model new ideas! You can follow her on Twitter @EdTechCaitlin. Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster. It is available through Sound Cloud, iTunes, Google Play & Spotify. Sound Cloud- https://soundcloud.com/mnps-library-services iTunes- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-judge-book-by-its-cover-podcast-for-future-ready/id1439335992?mt=2 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/3OTJ3lgsxomSyK7GqcGCDB

We are so excited to share our conversation with Molly Stovall Hegwood, Executive Director of English Learners for Metro Nashville Public Schools. We talk about how diverse Nashville is and what librarians can do to support all learners not only as they learn English, but also in their native language. It is important libraries and librarians are culturally responsive to all students. Curious about a student’s background? Just ask your students and build those relationships. Molly can be reached on Twitter @Molly_Stov or @MNPS_EL Buncee https://app.edu.buncee.com/ Conexiòn Americas https://www.conexionamericas.org/ Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition https://www.tnimmigrant.org Islamic Center of Nashville http://www.icntn.org/ Salahadeen Center of Nashville http://www.scntn.org Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Since it is TeenTober (formally Teen Read Week), we are excited to share our conversation with Nashville based YA author, Sheba Karim. Sheba is a Writer-in-Residence at Vanderbilt University and the author of three novels: Skunk Girl, That Thing We Call a Heart, and Mariam Sharma Hits the Road. Her fourth YA novel is forthcoming from HaperCollins in 2020. In this episode we discuss diversity in children’s literature and publishing, some of her favorite characters to write (yes- you want to listen!) and how humans are wired for stories. Sheba can be reached out Twitter @ShebaKarim or on Instagram @shebakarim. Sheba’s Books: https://www.harpercollins.com/author/cr-124614/sheba-karim/ TeenTober: http://www.ala.org/yalsa/teentober Scholastic Reading Report: https://www.scholastic.com/readingreport/home.html Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson: https://justmercy.eji.org/ Living Undocumented: https://www.netflix.com/title/80209609 Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

It is Banned Books Week (September 22-28) and Episode 2.5: A student's right to read is bigger than that, features Suzanna Panter, Program Manager of School Libraries in Tacoma, Washington. Suzanna is a rock star librarian, teacher and school library manager and motivator. In this episode she discusses her advocacy work with administrators, intellectual freedom, and protecting students right to read. Her energy is contagious and has so much knowledge to share. Suzanna can be reached on Twitter @SLPanter or by email at spanter@Tacoma.K12.Wa.US. AASL Standards/Advocacy videos · https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/80951-school-library-spotlight-fall-2019-school-library-advocacy-close-up.html Knowledge Quest article student reading history · https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1074346.pdf Tacoma Public School Libraries · https://www.tacomaschools.org/libraries/Pages/default.aspx Lilead Fellows · https://lileadproject.org/ Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Episode 2.4 features nonfiction author, Heather L. Montgomery. You are probably familiar with several of her amazing books- Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill, Bugs Don't Hug: Six-Legged Parents and their Kids, and Little Monsters of the Ocean just to name a few. Heather is passionate about science, loves anything that moves, wiggles and squiggles and loves to talk to kids AND adults about nature! In this episode, Heather shares a little about what led her to becoming and author, where she finds inspiration, and some advice for parents, teachers and librarians. You can follow Heather on Twitter @HeathLMont and on her website at www.heatherlmontgomery.com. Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Episode 2.3 features Dr. Kristen Mattson, a library director from Aurora, Illinois. Dr. Mattson sat down with Stephanie to discuss Future Ready librarians (and her favorite wedge on the wheel), how her library has evolved to be student center and lastly how she got involved in ISTE. She provides powerful advice for both experienced and new librarians. She loves connecting so be sure to connect with her on Twitter @DrKMattson or by email at mrskmattson@gmail.com. Or check out her blog at https://drkmattson.com/ Digital citizenship in action: Empowering students to engage in online communities https://id.iste.org/connected/resources/product?id=4068&format=BookDigital+Citizenship+in+Action&_ga=2.244429957.1815509776.1566934368-798872033.1519245465 Future Ready Librarians Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/futurereadylibrarians/ Front desk by Kelly Yang https://www.frontdeskthebook.com/books/front-desk/ With the fire on high by Elizabeth Acevedo https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062662835/with-the-fire-on-high/ Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

This episode features, Carson LeMaster, former MNPS librarian and current librarian at Rabat American School in Morocco. Before Carson left, she sat down to discuss the evolution of her school library and her practice. We hit on teaching, singing in the library, makerspaces and relationships. We specifically discuss how her library started on a fixed schedule and how it evolved over three years to be a loud dynamic space when student learning was taking place. Carson can be reached at lemasterteacher@gmail.com or on Twitter @lemasterteacher. Information on Sphero Specdrums- https://www.sphero.com/specdrums Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Episode 2.1: Tell your story It is hard to believe we are starting a new season, which means it is a new school year! In this episode, Stephanie Ham, Director of Library Services for Metro Nashville Public Schools, provides some tips and tricks to starting the year off right. You seriously get to get into her head for like 13 minutes! This episode will revisit your mission and vision, that initial meeting with your admin, how to tell your story, and most importantly self-care specifically for school librarians. Contact information for MNPS Library Services- Stephanie.ham@mnps.org. Twitter: @mnpslibraries, Instagram: @mnpslibraries School Library Journal Article- https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=Self-Care-for-School-Librarians Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Well guys, it is budget time! In this episode, we chat with Robbin Wall, Executive Principal at McGavock High School in Nashville, TN. Stephanie chats with Mr. Wall about school budgets, establishing library programs, building relationships and how to start the conversation with your principal about changes for next school year. He is a proud Texan, tennis shoe guy, school administrator and library supporter. Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

In this episode, we sit down with Alison Brooks, the extraordinary librarian at Apollo Middle School. She is a veteran school librarian with the district and the enthusiasm for her job will be felt through the speakers as you listen. Alison shares her tips and tricks for building relationships (hint hint, it include Happy Hour), going outside of the box for collaborations and how she shows up every day for her students. You can find Alison on Twitter @ApolloReader or by email alison.maliszewski@mnps.org. Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

In this episode, we chat with New York Times bestselling author, Ruta Septys. Ruta shares the secrets behind her success writing historical fiction, the movie Ashes in the Snow and her new book that is premiering in October 2019. Stephanie and Ruta discuss the underlying themes of love, heartache, forgiveness and listening that are woven throughout Ruta’s books. To reach Ruta visit her website http://rutasepetys.com/ or on Twitter @RutaSepetys. For more information on SEYA visit https://www.seyabookfest.com/ or on Twitter @seyabookfest Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

MNPS librarian, Olivia Rodney, shares tips and tricks to starting 2019 off with a bang. Olivia talks about resolutions, getting organized and setting professional goals this year. You can reach Olivia at Olivia.rodney@mnps.org or on Twitter @oliviacgm Coaching for Leaders: https://coachingforleaders.com/podcast/ One Word Resolutions: https://oneword365.com/ Pens Pilot FriXion Ball Erasable Gel Pen https://g.co/kgs/e2s4EF Rocketbook https://getrocketbook.com/ Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

2019 is here, which means it is time to take care of you! This episode features Dr. Martha Shepherd from Vanderbilt Medical Center and Johnsie Holt, the Staff Coordinator for MNPS. Together, they share some tips and tricks on self-care for the new year. They will highlight some of the amazing health options for educators and the top 5 tips for dealing with stress. Information on the health clinics and wellness center are available at https://mnpshealth.org/ or on Twitter @MNPSWellCenter. Infromation about the Employee Assistance Program is available at https://www.mnpsbenefits.org/eap.html Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

In this episode we talk to Dr. Jarred Armato, teacher and founder of Project LIT community. Jarred shares how one article in The Atlantic shaped a movement. Over the course of the episode, we discuss how Project LIT got started, amazing YA literature, imbedding independent reading in your school and how to empower students to find their perfect book and love reading. To contact Jarred, reach out on Twitter @jarredamato or by email jarred.amato@gmail.com. Follow Project LIT on Twitter: @projectLITcomm or follow the hashtags #ProjectLITBookClub or #ProjectLitchat Article on book deserts: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/07/where-books-are-nonexistent/491282/ Information on NBC Learn: http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

The Future Ready Schools movement has put librarians as the center piece in supporting schools as they prepare for the future. In this episode, Britten Follett, Senior Vice President of marketing for Follett, discusses the ins and outs of the Future Ready movement and how it was built to support students, enhance instruction, and rebrand school libraries. To contact Britten; reach out on Twitter @brittenfollett Future Ready Framework: https://futureready.org/program-overview/librarians/ TED Talk by Mark Ray: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IniFUB7worY

Stephanie Kraft wanted to make sure her school library wasn’t “just a house for books” and that provided authentic learning opportunities for her students, so she started a makerspace. Stephanie describes her journey from planning, implementation and collaboration. She discusses strategies to support social and emotion learning as well as support English Language Learners though hands on learning. Stephanie Kraft can be contacted at Stephanie.kraft@mnps.org or on Twitter @EVES_Library. Information on Bookings: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/cloudready/2017/09/04/microsoft-bookings-how-to-customize-a-microsoft-bookings-site/

Episode 1.2: “Librarians are Democracy Coaches” Library Journal Mover & Shaker, Amanda Smithfield, joins to podcast to discuss Project Civ, a project that promotes monthly civil discussions among high school students about current political and social issues. Amanda advocates for educators to lead the charge to encourage young people to become involved in their community and vote. To find out more information about Project Civ visit https://projectcivamerica.com/ https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=can-we-talk-librarians-lead-new-push-civics-education-focusing-discourse Amanda Smithfield can be contacted at Amanda.smithfield@mnps.org or on Twitter @asmithfield. Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster.

Episode 1.1: Librarians are the “Go To” Person for Media Literacy The election is almost here so it is time to discuss civics education and the library. Listen as we interview, Roger Rosen, President and CEO of Rosen Publishing on trends in library publishing. This podcast will cover civics education, media literacy, and social emotional learning (SEL) in the school library. If you have more questions for Roger, reach out on Twitter @RosenPublishing. Music written and performed by Damian and Carson LeMaster