cut in library para - covering clerical and instructional tasks in a new way

[Karen]

I have recently lost my para in the high school media center.  In order to cover some of the new job responsibilities, I am trying to devise a plan which would either close the IMC one period per day, or have teachers possibly supervise students in the IMC while I do prep work. 

 

Has anyone tried either of these things?  Or, what has worked for you?

 

Thanks.

[Julie Udy]

last year i had the same thing happen. i rotated my prep period by week (1st week it was 1st period all week, 2nd week it was 2nd period, etc etc.) Teachers didn't like it--it was confusing. Then i switched to all day friday prep period. I was open before school, at our "nutrition break" open both lunches. I took my lunch between the two lunches. I was closed after school. When adding up the prep time it was equal to that of the other teachers. This seemed to work most of the time and wasn't as difficult to implement and understand. Of course closing the library any time is detrimental to the learning process for students, but so is not having enough time to do the work of two people.

[Karen]

Thanks for your response. I hate re-inventing the wheel so I hope to get ideas.