The AASL Best Digital Tools lists are always an excellent resource, but this year, with our increased focus on virtual teaching and learning, it is critically important. I selected Code Spark and Facing History. Both of these tools are valuable and hit on two key things to focus on in the coming years. Code Spark is a tool for teaching coding, which as we recognize from past week’s readings is overwhelmingly important as a skill across all curriculum for all students. I can easily see using this in the library, even virtually, to teach my elementary students the basics of computer science and coding. Unfortunately, to use it virtually, while teachers and librarians can get a free account, parents would have to pay after a brief free trial. Facing History is a tool that offers an in-depth look at history as it connects with current events and a social-emotional element. This tool is actually designed for secondary teachers to use with their students, but the professional development opportunities for teachers of all levels are too beneficial for me to exclude it just because it’s not the level I teach. I will be able to take what I learn from any professional development this tool provides and share and use it with my students of all ages. My principal always says “when you know better, you do better,” and that is the why of this tool for me.

Claire Verdillo found the Mighty Little Librarian blog when we were doing our Resources group project, as it had an excellent example of one of the tools we’d chosen. I’ve since bookmarked this blog, as it’s a source of innovative ideas for navigating Fall 2020 as we deal with Covid as well as game resources and ways to involve and excite a whole student body. Tiffany Whitehead is a Louisiana librarian who serves as the Director of Library at a Baton Rouge high school. Whitehead shares all of her past presentations as well, which are an excellent resource all on their own.

I have always found the verse “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17) to be true in all areas of my life. As a Christian, I know that the intent of this verse is that engaging with other believers strengthens one’s faith, but it is also true that finding others who are passionate about their work as librarians serves to inspire and encourage me. I have found these librarians both in person within the community of elementary librarians in my county and online in places like Whitehead’s blog and myriad other library bloggers and Instagrammers. I would also say that I’ve been inspired by other students in this MLIS program, as we’ve discussed lessons we’ve taught and tools we’ve used. It is so important to continue to learn from and with each other about what works, really excites our students, and meets current AASL standards. I also think attending professional conferences like VAASL is an excellent way to connect with other librarians and learn about new tools, books, and ideas to share with our students.