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Hometown:: Wiindsor, Ontario

Name of Your School / Library / Organization:: I am a "second-career" teacher and former prosecutor who has finally found the right niche in my role as teacher-librarian at an inner city elementary school. I have been teaching for 4 years, and became a "TL" after being thrown into two libraries half-time each for my first year of teaching. I decided to swim, not sink, and obtained my Librarianship 1 that year, and my Reading Specialists Part 1 and 2 the next two years. I have always been an avid reader and it shocked, saddened and alarmed me to hear so many students and staff say they didn't like reading or just don't read. I have made it my mission at school to find every child a book they can and will read if it kills me! And the students love to bring me a friend to find them a book. The best reward I get is having them say to that friend, "Ms. Shanks will find you something you like, she'll hook you up for sure." .
My library is rarely a quiet place, nor is my homeroom 5/6 class. I am hoping they will continue our class blog started just before the break.
I am also the single Mom of a very active 7 year old, who is a reader struggling to get to a level where he can read himself the books he is attracted to, many of which are too hard for him.
In my spare time (!), I read everything I can, usually late at night, from childrens' to my favourite murder mystery genre (can't kill the prosecutor in me, I guess!).

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At 3:37am on February 2, 2012, Mike McQueen said…: Greetings Alison,

I'm Mike McQueen, teacher librarian and founder of http://www.GettingBoysToRead.com. Like many school districts, we are in a financial crises. Our school board recently proposed to eliminate ALL 20+ middle school teacher librarians and also cut all 90+ elementary schools to half time. Since we are the biggest district in all of Colorado, we worry this will cause other districts to follow suit. We launched an online movement and are going to do our best to put up a good fight.

If possible, please visit our Facebook page and "Like" us http://www.facebook.com/SupportSchoolLibraries . Adding a positive comment and sharing with your friends would help our morale as well. The board finalizes the budget soon so your timely support would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Mike McQueen

Teacher Librarian at McLain HS

Lakewood, CO

At 8:44am on May 27, 2009, Mike McQueen said…: Hi Alison,
I'm a teacher librarian & recently started a community based blog for getting boys to read - http://GettingBoysToRead.com. Please send me a friend request if you'd like to network, share ideas, and learn more about getting boys to read.

Sincerely,
Mike McQueen

LET'S NETWORK HERE TOO (request me as a friend):
My FACEBOOK Profile
My TWITTER Profile

At 7:35am on March 21, 2008, Sharon said…: That's great Alison. Can you send me the link to your class blog?

At 1:48am on March 10, 2008, Naveed Ahmad said…: Welcome on joining the group!!

At 11:02pm on March 9, 2008, Kelly Moore said…: Hey Alison,
Your avatar is very freaky looking! Reminds me of a very excited cocker spaniel looking at a jerky treat...
Did you join Twitter too?

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