Melrose High School

In 2013, I began work as the Library Media Specialist at Melrose High School in Melrose, Massachusetts where I undertook several small and large projects. One of my early projects at Melrose was to establish a library web presence via LibGuides. I collaborated with the middle school Library Media Specialist in adapting an inquiry model for implementation across the curriculum in grades six through 12. I also had the opportunity to be part of the team which developed an interactive professional development workshop for middle and high school staff, and led the high school portion of the professional development day. Along with the middle school Library Media Specialist, I co-chaired the Long-Range Planning Committee for six through 12 library services, which worked on developing a mission statement, long-range plan, and action steps for the library program.
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The Awesome Box is a fun and easy way to track and share reader favorites. The Awesome Box at Melrose High School Library was inspired by a project by the Harvard Library Innovation Lab.

Model of Inquiry
The middle school Library Media Specialist, myself, and the Technology Integration Specialist developed a model of inquiry based on the Stripling Model of Inquiry. Using this model, we developed professional development workshops on embedding inquiry and information literacy skills into everyday classroom teaching across all subject areas.

LGBTQ Inclusion Project

The project I am most proud of was developing a grant proposal for the Melrose Education Foundation Innovation Grant. Through the LGBTQ Inclusion Project, I purchased professional development materials for teachers, biographies, history, and other nonfiction books to support LGBTQ curriculum integration, and invited guest speakers from Greater Boston PFLAG. I also organized and led LGBTQ Curriculum Inclusion teacher professional development workshop for middle and high school teachers. After this presentation, the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning also invited me to speak to the six to 12 curriculum chairs.