I was fortunate enough to meet up with Jennifer LaGarde a couple of weeks ago. Jennifer is a K-12 Librarian, as well as a speaker and author in support of school librarians and their libraries.
You can hear her interview here: http://laurasheneman.libsyn.com/different-strategies-same-goals-with-jennifer-lagarde
I asked Jennifer for some tips for librarians who are trying to connect with others at their campuses:
Be a solution to problems that are already on teachers’ plates. They need help to existing issues. Once they saw that I could help with their existing problems, then they were more willing to work with her.
Create opportunities to listen in to teachers’ conversations - lunchroom, copy room, faculty meeting. Position yourself as a listener and listen for what teachers are identifying as big rocks. Then you’ll be in a position to serve the teachers.
Jennifer quoted Doug Johnson - Listen to clues that keep your principal up at night. This will help you identify their priorities and put you in a position to help solve those problems.
Jennifer co-authored a book with Darren Hudgins called Fact vs Fiction: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Fake News.
Follow Jennifer LaGarde’s work at:
Twitter is her main platform: https://twitter.com/jenniferlagarde
Social Media: Links to Jennifer’s Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and email contacts listed at https://www.librarygirl.net/