How do you recommend books to your students?
In this first session of the year Megan Light (K.O.A.L.A.) and Management Committee members Rhonda Creasey and Melanie Walker will share their experiences and ideas on innovative ways to effectively recommend books to students across K-12. The content of this webinar will assist participants to provide informed reading recommendations to their students through consideration of the knowledge and strategies offered by the presenters and through discussion with colleagues.
About Megan Light
Megan has taught in public and independent schools for 32 years in various roles including Classroom Teacher, Stage Leader, IB PYP Facilitator, Digital Literacy Leader and Teacher Librarian. In 2021, she was nominated for the ASLA Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year Award. In her current TL role and as K.O.A.L.A. President, Megan is passionate about the importance of reading and the value of Australian children’s literature. She actively pursues the promotion of reading and literature through student agency; and connecting readers with the creators of the books they discover and love.
About Rhonda Creasey
Rhonda is a teacher librarian at Wallsend PS in Newcastle. She has had wide experience teaching in Sydney, Perth and Darwin both in classrooms and libraries. Rhonda majored in Children's Literature in her original degree (B.Ed) and has been connected to libraries for most of her teaching life. She is passionate about connecting students to quality literature and being a reader for enjoyment. She has had the opportunity to refurbish two libraries-Harrington Park (SW Sydney) and Wallsend (Hunter). These experiences have taught her the importance of connecting and engaging both students and teachers to see the library as the central learning hub of the school. Rhonda's Wallsend library is colourful and vibrant with artwork connected to every school student, displayed on the walls, created annually from each book week celebration. In addition, Rhonda spends two days a week as Teacher Librarian at Merewether PS. When you enter her libraries you want to stay and absorb some of the magic and warmth that surrounds you.
About Melanie Walker
Melanie is currently Teacher Librarian at Catherine McAuley Catholic College Medowie, a brand new secondary Catholic high school in Port Stephens. She has over 16 years of teaching experience across grades 7-12 along with experience as Teacher Librarian in K-12 school settings. Melanie is passionate about working with other teacher librarians and has a particular interest in developing the School Library Association Mentoring SIG, to be trialled in 2022.
Suggested Standards addressed by this Online Meet-up
2.5.2 Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.
6.2.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
6.3.2 Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice.
7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.
Certificate of participation available via request to: info@slansw.net.au
About SLANSW Online Meet-Ups
The one-hour meet-ups take place in SLANSW's Zoom Conference Room and include a presentation from a guest speaker, with facilitated discussion between participants. We aim to include Q&A time as a wrap-up of each online meetup.
A maximum of 100 places are available for each meet-up, so get your registrations in ASAP.
Participation in SLANSW online meet-ups is at no cost to members. Non-members may access the meet-ups for $35 per session.
The one-hour meet-up takes place in SLANSW's Zoom conference room.
Those who register for this event will receive an email within 24 hours before the event, with details to access this online session.