Each month we honor three school librarians in TN as TASL Librarians of the Month. These amazing educators deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication. Find out more about our November 2021 Librarians of the Month below.
East TN Librarian of the Month
Name: Blake Hopper
Hometown: Speedwell, TN
School: Tazewell-New Tazewell Primary School
School District: Claiborne County Schools
Grades Served: K-4
Average # of Students Per Class: 21
What do you love most about being a school librarian?
I love getting to collaborate with teachers, creating a welcoming library, and connecting books with my students.
What would someone see if they were to walk in your library?
You would see a busy and sometimes loud place. We are always reading, creating, or researching. We aren’t a shhhhing library!
What are you most proud of regarding your library program?
I am most proud that I have been about to show why libraries and librarians are needed. I’m also proud of the environment we have created and the love of books we are instilling in our kiddos.
What advice would you give a new librarian?
Don’t try to do everything at once. Take it one day at a time. You main goal is to get books in kids hands and help the teachers.
If you are willing, please provide us with a favorite activity description that we can share with other professionals.
My favorite thing to do is book talk. I love hearing my kiddos talk about why they liked a book. We even have a book talking mic!
Follow Blake at @travelingguybrarian on Instagram and @pvslibrarian on Twitter.
Middle TN Librarian of the Month
Name: Elizabeth Bearden
Hometown: Clarksville, TN
School: Montgomery Central Elementary School
School District: Clarksville Montgomery County School System
Grades Served: K-5
Average # of Students Per Class: 22
What do you love most about being a school librarian?
I love seeing a child’s eyes light up when they are telling me about their favorite book or character. I love story time with my littles. My mother was a librarian for over 30 years and I am proud to have followed in her footsteps. I am also very proud to be the librarian at the elementary school I attended as a child.
What would someone see if they were to walk in your library?
If you come first thing in the morning you will catch students on Indian News which is broadcast live from the library daily. Throughout the day you will find students looking for books and dropping off book club and book worm forms.
What are you most proud of regarding your library program?
My fourth graders are really excited about book clubs this year. They can choose from a list (non-fiction, graphic novels, series, biographies to name a few). When they complete the requirements they can turn in their forms and get gummy worms. They are very motivated and many come to library several times a day to either find new books or to turn in their forms.
What advice would you give a new librarian?
Be flexible and available. Make sure you share your love of reading with someone everyday. Learn your students and your collection before you make major changes. Find a librarian mentor. Join TASL and try to go to convention.
If you are willing, please provide us with a favorite activity description that we can share with other professionals.
Every year I teach my Kindergartners the song “I’m Going Down to the Library”. We even have hand motions. I love hearing from the parents when they say their child kept singing “that library song”. I even have older students who request the song.
West TN Librarian of the Month
Name: Nevenia A. Hill
Hometown: Memphis, TN
School: Overton High School
School District: Shelby County Schools
Grades Served: 9-12
Average # of Students Per Class: 28
What do you love most about being a school librarian?
I love interacting with my students. The library is such a great place to start and continue many learning experiences for us all.
What would someone see if they were to walk in your library?
A lot of hard and rewarding work by the entire school community.
What are you most proud of regarding your library program?
The excitement it generates among our student. We often get students repeatedly checking in for the next adventure!
What advice would you give a new librarian?
Be brave, flexible, and creative.
If you are willing, please provide us with a favorite activity description that we can share with other professionals.
Not an activity per se…with the new health guidelines, I’ve worked hard to provide continued access to the library through digital library pass sign ups using the Microsoft Bookings app for in-person visits, increased e-book selections, and library catalogue browsing from the students’ classrooms. It has truly helped students to stay “in touch” throughout the pandemic.
Anything else you would like to share?
I would like to thank the person who nominated me. It was a humbling, appreciated surprise.
TASL Talks 
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