Praise, Praise and Praise

Written by six tips

By alonzriah

I cannot stress this enough: teachers need kudos too! Whether it's a congrats email cc'd to the principal, a mention at the faculty meeting or photos of students utilizing technology in your fledgling techie teacher's class posted on the school's webpage, there's nothing like a gold star to validate the efforts your teachers are making. Trust me, even the most shy, unassuming, under the radar flying teacher wants to be pat on the back for taking a chance and changing what they've always done. That said, if you're certain the teacher will be mortified by public recognition, then praise their students instead. Make a phone calls home to a few parents congratulating them on their student's work - making sure to mention how AWESOME the teacher is, ask students from the class to be new "tech ambassadors" to the next group of students who are going to give the same new technology a go, or ask the PTSA to feature the project in their next newsletter. As school librarians, we have many venues through which we can praise our proteges and it's important that we never forget to do it.Whether we're talking about reading, beefing up pedagogy or incorporating technology into instruction, I've always thought of the librarian as a bespectacled Pied Piper. One of these days, I'm going to invest in a button that says "I Know Stuff." and whenever someone gives me a raised eyebrow of concern in response to whatever I'm selling, I'm just gonna point to my button as proof that I am someone to be trusted. I'm sure that will work. But until then, I need and rely on strategies to help my more wary colleagues step outside their comfort zones when it comes to trying something new. Of course, these are just a few such strategies. In fact, I'm sure there are countless others. So, if I've missed something, PLEASE share it in the comments. You don't even need a big "I Know Stuff Button" to convince me. I'm already a believer. :)

Whether we're talking about reading, beefing up pedagogy or incorporating technology into instruction, I've always thought of the librarian as a bespectacled Pied Piper.  One of these days, I'm going to invest in a button that says "I Know Stuff." and whenever someone gives me a raised eyebrow of concern in response to whatever I'm selling, I'm just gonna point to my button as proof that I am someone to be trusted.  I'm sure that will work.  But until then, I need and rely on strategies to help my more wary colleagues step outside their comfort zones when it comes to trying something new.  Of course, these are just a few such strategies.  In fact, I'm sure there are countless others.  So, if I've missed something, PLEASE share it in the comments.  You don't even need a big "I Know Stuff Button" to convince me.  I'm already a believer. :)

Whether we're talking about reading, beefing up pedagogy or incorporating technology into instruction, I've always thought of the librarian as a bespectacled Pied Piper.  One of these days, I'm going to invest in a button that says "I Know Stuff." and whenever someone gives me a raised eyebrow of concern in response to whatever I'm selling, I'm just gonna point to my button as proof that I am someone to be trusted.  I'm sure that will work.  But until then, I need and rely on strategies to help my more wary colleagues step outside their comfort zones when it comes to trying something new.  Of course, these are just a few such strategies.  In fact, I'm sure there are countless others.  So, if I've missed something, PLEASE share it in the comments.  You don't even need a big "I Know Stuff Button" to convince me.  I'm already a believer. :)

Whether we're talking about reading, beefing up pedagogy or incorporating technology into instruction, I've always thought of the librarian as a bespectacled Pied Piper.  One of these days, I'm going to invest in a button that says "I Know Stuff." and whenever someone gives me a raised eyebrow of concern in response to whatever I'm selling, I'm just gonna point to my button as proof that I am someone to be trusted.  I'm sure that will work.  But until then, I need and rely on strategies to help my more wary colleagues step outside their comfort zones when it comes to trying something new.  Of course, these are just a few such strategies.  In fact, I'm sure there are countless others.  So, if I've missed something, PLEASE share it in the comments.  You don't even need a big "I Know Stuff Button" to convince me.  I'm already a believer. :)

Whether we're talking about reading, beefing up pedagogy or incorporating technology into instruction, I've always thought of the librarian as a bespectacled Pied Piper.  One of these days, I'm going to invest in a button that says "I Know Stuff." and whenever someone gives me a raised eyebrow of concern in response to whatever I'm selling, I'm just gonna point to my button as proof that I am someone to be trusted.  I'm sure that will work.  But until then, I need and rely on strategies to help my more wary colleagues step outside their comfort zones when it comes to trying something new.  Of course, these are just a few such strategies.  In fact, I'm sure there are countless others.  So, if I've missed something, PLEASE share it in the comments.  You don't even need a big "I Know Stuff Button" to convince me.  I'm already a believer. :)

Whether we're talking about reading, beefing up pedagogy or incorporating technology into instruction, I've always thought of the librarian as a bespectacled Pied Piper.  One of these days, I'm going to invest in a button that says "I Know Stuff." and whenever someone gives me a raised eyebrow of concern in response to whatever I'm selling, I'm just gonna point to my button as proof that I am someone to be trusted.  I'm sure that will work.  But until then, I need and rely on strategies to help my more wary colleagues step outside their comfort zones when it comes to trying something new.  Of course, these are just a few such strategies.  In fact, I'm sure there are countless others.  So, if I've missed something, PLEASE share it in the comments.  You don't even need a big "I Know Stuff Button" to convince me.  I'm already a believer. :)

Whether we're talking about reading, beefing up pedagogy or incorporating technology into instruction, I've always thought of the librarian as a bespectacled Pied Piper.  One of these days, I'm going to invest in a button that says "I Know Stuff." and whenever someone gives me a raised eyebrow of concern in response to whatever I'm selling, I'm just gonna point to my button as proof that I am someone to be trusted.  I'm sure that will work.  But until then, I need and rely on strategies to help my more wary colleagues step outside their comfort zones when it comes to trying something new.  Of course, these are just a few such strategies.  In fact, I'm sure there are countless others.  So, if I've missed something, PLEASE share it in the comments.  You don't even need a big "I Know Stuff Button" to convince me.  I'm already a believer. :)