Professional
I strongly believe that it is my destiny to become a school library media specialist. All my experiences, from early childhood on, have led me to this belief. In fact, my life-long affair with the printed word began at a very young age. My mother, an educator and avid reader herself, introduced me to the joys of reading through nightly bedtime stories that began as a ritual during my infancy. As a preschooler, I began to dictate and publish my very own stories. My formal school days were spent traveling with my military family. This traveling allowed me to collect tales and stories from across the globe just as children of today collect video games or Yu-Gui-Oh cards.
Not only did I love to read as a child, I had a desire to share my books with my friends. Evidence of my potential media specialist career choice was clearly seen in my early elementary school days. It was during this time that I established my very own library with my ever-increasing book collection. Each book in my collection was properly catalogued, alphabetized, and came complete with its own "return by" card. Unfortunately, however, I was forced to close my library's doors due to the fact that my friends failed to return my books in a timely manner!
When it came time to choose a major at college, I naturally gravitated toward children and literacy. As a child development major, I had the opportunity to work for several semesters in the Infant Center of the University of Tennessee Child Development Lab School. Here, my favorite part of the workday was snuggling with a little one while sharing a well worn, and often times a bit chewed-up, board book.
After college, no one in my family or close circle of friends was surprised that my career in education started as a Reading Recovery teacher. Helping struggling readers unlock the mystery and magic of text has been a joy rather than just a job. In fact, the highlight of my career was when one of my students said to me, "Ms. Gerig, my cousin told me that reading was going to be hard. But this isn't hard; this is fun!"
As I have continued along on my professional journey, I have found myself teaching children in a variety of manners. For instance, I have taught in the classroom in both first grade and kindergarten. Additionally, I taught computer technology skills to students in grades K-5 for a year as a computer technology special areas teacher. I have taught in a rural school, Kingston Elementary in Bartow County, and a suburban school, Harbins Elementary in Gwinnett County. Currently, I am a Literacy Coordinator at Benefield Elementary in Gwinnett County. This school is considered to be a school on the "urban fringe."
My job as a Literacy Coordinator has afforded me the opportunity to emulate some of the responsiblities of a Media Specialist in many ways. For instance, one of my present job obligations requires me to plan and implement literacy professional learning for the school’s staff. In addition, I am responsible for ordering, processing, and cataloging books for the school’s book room. Furthermore, I collaboratively plan and implement lessons with teachers in their classrooms on a daily basis. Last school year, I initiated an ongoing reading incentive program school-wide. Similarly, I plan an annual Literacy Night with the assistance of the Literacy Committee. This night, designed to promote family literacy, emphasizes reading for both information and pleasure. I am certain that the combination of my life long experiences, along with my graduate studies in School Library Media, makes me an excellent School Library Media Specialist candidate.
Personal
Growing up in a military family afforded me the opportunity to live all across the globe, from England to Panama and all the way to a little town called Round Rock, Texas. All this moving, coupled with the fact I was an only child, encouraged my reading habit. In fact, when my parents took me to the mall as a pre-teen, I chose to buy books over clothes or music!
Not much has changed in intervening years. I continue to choose books over clothes on the rare trip to the mall. However, now I have two wonderful children who tag along on those trips with me. My children, ages 6 and 8, are book lovers too!
Most of my free time is spent with my children. We find activities to enjoy as a family all over the Atlanta area. To the right is a picture of my kids on a recent trip to the top of Stone Mountain. When not spending time with my family, I enjoy going out with a close group of friends. Other activities I enjoy are volunteering, going to movies, watching college football, traveling to new places, and of course.... READING!
Program
In May, I will graduate with my Master's Degree in Instructional Technology with an emphasis in School Library Media from the University of Georgia. When I began this program two years ago, I did so due to my life-long love affair with the written word. Nothing pleases me more than to share my joy of reading with young children through storytelling, book promotions, and literature discussions. However, throughout my studies, I have come to realize that there is more substance to the media specialist profession. The program at UGA has helped me see the media specialist as a support consultant for teachers, curriculum, and naturally, children. In going beyond the role of "keeper of the books", I understand the value of collaboration, the importance of technology integration, and the significance of teaching information literacy skills. Only now, upon completion of this program, can I be a media specialist ready to help children meet the challenges of the 21st century.
As for my future plans, currently I am actively seeking a position as a School Library Media Specialist. I hope to embark on my new career next school year. Within five years, I hope to return to the University of Georgia as a Ph.D. student in Children's Literature. My hope for my own life is to never stop reading, to never stop growing, and to never stop learning.
