Skills That Make Me An Effective Teacher
Teaching 6th grade country research
I bring all the skills needed to fit the tall order of being a strong school Librarian and Computer Tech Teacher:
- compassion and the ability to see each child as an individual capable of growth;
- management, leadership, team-building, administrative, communication skills, and vision;
- energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity about learning, literacy and 21st century technology skills;
- initiative and drive for advocacy;
- and a love of children and a desire to do something that really matters for our children, our future.
Kindergartners interpret literature with an art project
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Scholastic Book Fair
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Who Am I?
- I am energetic, gregarious and demonstrative; I believe the most successful teachers are performers at heart.
- Developing a rapport with children of all ages comes naturally to me; I enjoy learning from them.
- I am a voracious reader, continuous questioner, and curious seeker of knowledge. I want my students to see me not as someone who finds all the answers but as their trusted guide in the journey of questioning.
- My true passion is converting the reluctant reader. I believe kids who say they don’t like to read just haven’t found the right thing to read, and my job is to make that happen!
- The Teacher Librarian of today and tomorrow must be the tech guru of the school, continually sampling, recommending, and training students and instructors on the latest technology that will aid our learning and train us for the workforce of the future. Our perspective allows us to recommend different resources and methods that can be applied to achieve the maximum results. As a web designer for 15+ years and now a Tech Teacher, I embrace all types of technology.
- Having spent the last 13 years of my prior career as a small business owner, and my whole life as a volunteer and community activist, I bring a strong results-oriented approach to all I do.
- I have extensive event planning experience, which I've put to use designing reading incentive programs and fundraising events that have boosted my library book budget over 100%.
- I’m an active book reviewer; currently with the S.E. PA School Librarians Review Committee, and past co-coordinator of PSLA's Literature Review Committee. We read and review hundreds of books annually as a public service for anyone interested in picking the best reads for kids.. You can read some of my reviews on the blog I set up and co-managed, here: pslamediaselectionreview.edublogs.org/?s=kathie+jackson&submit=Search
- I’ve volunteered at and observed at more than a dozen schools to get a first hand look at the day-to-day needs of students of all ages and abilities in the library.
- I completed Google Bootcamp Training and am pursuing becoming a Google Certified Educator.
- I'm working with my school's Dean of Academics and Curriculum in aligning all specials with the common core, creating a scope and sequence, as well as implementing Danielson Framework for staff evaluations.
- Digitally cataloged the 10,000 volume collection into Follett Destiny Library Manager.
- Participated in planning, design and construction of new $2 million classroom/library building that opened Sept. 2014, including serving on several committees overseeing the technology integration, fundraising and construction.
- Designed and Teach computer technology curriculum to grades 4 through 6; created new Google classroom, computer skills, digital literacy and STEM curriculum.
- Manage a team of volunteers.
- I’ve spoken to college students for career day at Kutztown University and appeared annually as panelist/guest instructor for Professor Arnie Cohen’s “e-Business Entrepreneurship” class at Villanova’s Law School.
- As founder and organizer of my township’s volunteer litter removal crews,Tidy Up Tredyffrin, I’ve worked closely with schools, scout troops, and church groups to educate the public on pollution and to mobilize teams of young people to beautify our community.
