Pros and Cons of Being a School Librarian over a Classroom Teacher

I was a high school English teacher for eight years and a school librarian for five. Here are some pros and cons of being a school librarian over a classroom teacher based on my experience.
I'm a high school library media specialist at a school of 1,300 students. Follow my library journey and learn about what I'm reading each month!
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[@LilianShekinah]

Thank you so much for this. You are a HUGE inspiration. Coming from elementary/middle ELA to elementary librarian to now middle school. It’s the best decision I have ever made. Extra/Other duties as assigned, for me, isn’t that bad, considering everything I have experienced. But I also don’t do the technology. I’m on the “sunshine” committee too lol I like having different things to do. Doing the same thing everyday….is a drag. I agree that advocating for the position is very important but it’s also important to try to pick a school or district that loves their libraries and librarians. Lastly, I try to use my hallway duties to build relationships with students in addition to class. Thank you so much for all that you do and happy holidays!!😊

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Oh my goodness, hello! I watched some of your videos a while back and LOVED them! Thank you for reaching out! I remember watching your video about why you quit your job... I'm so glad you found a new one! Finding the right school for me was the key. I was not appreciated at my last school, but at my new school I even won employee of the year last year (not bragging, just saying how different experiences can be at different schools!). If you ever want to collaborate (in the KZbin realm or the library world), let me know! :)

[@user-nv9cc9dn6u]

Greatest information 🎉 I am enrolled in a school librarianship program transitioning from the classroom next school year & your channel is very helpful 😊

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Good luck!! You'll love it!

[@BoilASMR]

❤🎉happy Library Week fellow libby

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Happy Library Week to you too! Sadly, it was during my spring break, so I don't think my school even knew it was library week lol.

[@jamesreactionroom]

I love your videos, I always wanted to be a teacher at lower grades, and I want to to early childhood education or elementary education, there is pros and cons of those degrees, I watched so many things about teaching. I saw people do praxis testing. it looks hard and 35% passed and most people have to retake the test multiple times. How do you making time to study and i've been a middle school Library TA 2 years ago and i absolutely love working with the students and have time to study and read during my TA CLASS. my previous librarian helps me to do more fun things and make me in charge of the students and books. I thinking I have some experiences of librarians

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

It sounds like you already have some experience under your belt! That will definitely be beneficial. If you find a great librarian program, you hopefully won't have to study too much for the Praxis. :)

[@katiecrowe1941]

Hi! Thank you so much for your video showing the pros and cons of moving from the classroom to the library. I have been an elementary classroom teacher for the past 6 years and I want to transition into the school library. What was your transition process? Did you need another degree or certification? How did you find the library position?

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

Glad the video could help! I was an English teacher at the time and went back to get a certificate to be a librarian. I did the whole certificate online through Marshall University in Huntington, WV (near where I lived at the time). The certificate was 24 credit hours (so 8 classes). I think it took me one summer, that fall, the next spring, and the next summer to finish it... so not too bad. The classes counted toward my Rank 1 (that's a thing in Kentucky - it's 30 hours above a master's degree) so that I could get paid a lot more. High school librarian jobs are, unfortunately, super hard to come by because they are so amazing that no one ever leaves them until they retire! Haha. I started out as a librarian at my old school, but I was the librarian for the whole district since it was so small. It was impossible to be a good librarian at both schools, but that at least gave me some experience to be able to put on my resume. My husband and I had been wanting to move to central Kentucky anyway, so we were looking for jobs in that area. Lo and behold, both of our dream jobs were posted in the same district! I did have to move 2 hours away from my hometown for this job, but I was excited to do so. That's the one thing - you might have to be willing to move to find your dream job. Elementary library positions are a lot easier to come by though (but they are usually much more stressful!). Good luck on your journey! Let me know if you have any more questions! :)

[@mandibartlett8455]

Can we see your little boy or husband? Feel like I know you and would love to see x

[@manuscriptsmusickandmore7901]

I try to put them into some of my vlogs if I can. :) I'm also trying to get my husband to do some sort of book video with me... like quizzing me about the covers of my books or something. But you gave me a thought... maybe I could do a toddler recommendations his favorite books video - hahaha!