NAME:
Reeta Parks
SCHOOL:
Meigs Magnet Middle School
CLASS:
Library Information Center
SCHOOL PHONE:
615-271-3222 X306 or X307
BS - Speech Pathology
MLIS - Library Information Science
Nine years ago, I career changed and became a librarian. I'm often asked
how a speech therapist became a librarian and in particular, what these
two unrelated careers have in common.
I have always been impressed by the power of WORDS - whether written or
spoken! Words connect, communicate and educate. As a child, I loved the
power of the written word. I would escape to the library, whenever
possible, and get lost in a book. I loved the quiet and solitude that
reading provided - I hope our students at Meigs have that same opportunity
in our library!
When I became a parent, 20 years ago, I rediscovered and reconnected
with children's literature. There is nothing like witnessing the power of
written and spoken words on the faces, in the speech and in the written
expression of children. Observing the connections that are made is truly a
gift! I have had the good fortune to witness that with my own two children,
(my daughter is a 2007 graduate of Hume Fogg and my son is in the 11th grade
there) as well as the middle school students I have worked with these past
eight years.
As a speech therapist, I assisted teenagers and adults in re-learning the
use and understanding of written and spoken words. Cognitive therapy
addressed those vital organizational skills necessary to communicate. Those
same organizational steps and strategies are also utilized when working with
students during the research process. I love teaching information literacy
skills and making connections through literature with my students and in
collaboration with teachers. I believe that we are all life long learners
and the library provides the perfect opportunity to practice that!
The mission of the Library Media Center is to ensure that students and staff
are effective users of ideas and information. This is accomplished by:
providing access to appropriate and meaningful materials; providing
instruction to promote competence and encourage an interest in viewing,
reading and using ideas and information; and working with members of the
instructional team to answer individual and classroom inquiry and to design
learning strategies to meet the needs of students.
Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs (1998), p. 6
