My 14 Foot Tall Face

 I was driving along Highway 401 the other day with my daughter in the passenger seat. She turned to me and asked incredulously, "Uh, Mom, is that you on a billboard?"

Sure enough, projected on the electronic advertisement board was my grinning face.

(Note: This photo was taken several days afterwards and captured safely. I parked in a nearby mall with a decent view to take the shot.)

This is not a complete surprise. Back in October, I was invited to a media project with the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. The film production crew spent two full days capturing the voices and experiences of educators from all over Ontario. A lot of videos were shot. A lot of photos were taken. Below is "my clip". (If it doesn't work, I have two links below that might take you to the final product, housed on the ETFO Facebook page.)

   

https://www.facebook.com/ETFOprovincialoffice/videos/545646884252231

https://fb.watch/iBeQjp_tl0/

As a media literacy teacher as well as a teacher-librarian, I wish I could have smuggled in my students to get a close look at exactly how something like this is produced. It takes a long time. Before filming, I was strapped up for audio and sat for makeup. (My microphone sat under my clothes.) I didn't have any lines to memorize, so those words are all my own. My "speech" is constructed from excerpts from an interview the crew conducted with me on site. I was given advanced notice about some of the questions so I had time to think and mentally prepare, but the goal was to be my authentic self. The students I interact with in the video aren't my students; they were compensated for their time. The phrase "paid actor" sounds terrible because it implies they aren't what they seem; however, these were kids from around the GTA and interacting with them was similar to a day at school with the regular students I serve. For instance, I brought in the wooden building blocks so that a more current view of the teacher-librarian role could be portrayed. Thankfully, the director was flexible and allowed the team to shoot several scenes involving this STEM challenge, in addition to their planned scenes involving shelving and book recommendations. When the students / child actors came into the space to shoot the scenes involving the library, they gravitated to the blocks right away and were keen to explore with them. The students also clamored to use certain books as props during the "book borrowing" scenes. We had to be cautious not to show too much of the cover because then we'd have to get permissions from the author or publisher. That's why, in some of the stills in which I am leaning on a pile of books, I have the spines facing away from the camera.

Even though my head is larger than life, I won't be getting a swollen head from this coverage any time soon. A couple of people have noticed it on staff but I'm just one of a few people profiled. Plus, working with elementary students has a way of keeping you humble. I have to artfully field questions such as:

 "Why is your bum so big?" 

"I think you mean curvy, not big", I'll suggest.

"Why are your arms so lumpy?"

"Those are my muscles." (This is actually truer than the curvy bottom reply.)

"Are you having a baby?" (Often followed by patting my stomach.)

"No. Must be my clothes." (Followed by sneak peeks at my figure wondering what they are noticing.)

"Are you the oldest teacher here?"

"I'm only 50."

"You look funny without your glasses on."

"You aren't used to seeing me without my glasses."

My husband may joke that I'm now a billboard model, but as long as the ad messages get across about the importance of maintaining public education, I'll handle catching glimpses of myself in unexpected places. 

Making Memories at EOEC

 What a wonderful week! I'm tired but happy because I had the privilege of escorting 49 Grade 7s and 8s on a four-day, three-night school trip to the Etobicoke Outdoor Education Centre near Caledon, Ontario.

I went on a similar trip with Grade 8s in June 2018 and with Grade 6s to SOES (Scarborough Outdoor Education School in Kearney, Ontario) from Pringdale Gardens Jr. P.S. during the 2003-2004 school year. Going to Kearney is a Scarborough student tradition but when I was in Grade 6, my parents did not allow me to go on the trip. Our school's current Grade 6s will go to SOES in May of this year. These current Grade 7-8 students did not have the opportunity to do an overnight when they were in Grade 6 because of the pandemic. It makes my heart glad that they were able to attend and that circumstances allowed me to go with them. Many of these students were in my Grade 5-6 class in 2020-21, so I'm delighted I could be a part of this experience.

Today's blog is a reflection of the activities and events from our group's time together on, what was for many, their first time away from home and families for any significant length of time. Although I took over 900 photos while on the trip, I'm only going to post images that don't feature students' faces. My "memory moments" might not be the ones the students themselves would select but are significant to me, as one of their teacher supervisors.

Monday Morning

We gathered in the gym with lots of luggage waiting for the school buses to arrive. Two of our Grade8 students could get employment at Pearson Airport as baggage handlers because of the coordinated and smooth way they helped load the bus with room to spare.

Monday Afternoon

After arrival, lunch, and a overview of the building and rules, the first of our programs began. The students were split into three activity groups. For this session, I accompanied the Grade 7-8 group with "EOEC Abbey" for lessons on Survival Skills. The students were briefed on The Rules of Three for basic needs (3 minutes for oxygen, 3 hours for shelter [this includes clothes], 3 days for water and 3 weeks for food) and then we went into the woods for three challenges: make a fire, boil water, and construct a shelter using resources from the land.  

Once we returned from our adventure in the woods, the students had a choice of indoor or outdoor free time. Some of the students fed the wild chickadees. Many others enjoyed the various board and card games available in the large indoor common room. The amount of "down time" each day was perfect; it was frequent and long enough to recharge our batteries and for students informally socialize on their own terms with adequate supervision. No one seemed to miss the lack of technology. 

Monday Evening

The evening consisted of engaging in First Nations and Inuit games, such as the Blanket Toss and various low- or no-equipment challenges such as trying to push someone out of a marked circle while both participants are sitting back to back on the ground.

I was particularly pleased with my MacGyver skills later that night. Because the EOEC aims to promote eco-friendly activities, showers are supposed to be limited to 5 minutes per person in the evenings. I acted as the official timekeeper in the girls' dormitory. A problem soon arose: one of the showers had a clogged drain and no one wanted to use it. I hunted around and could not find a plunger. However, I located a popsicle stick and broom handle. By poking the drain holes to encourage drainage (and then discovering the drain cover could be removed for even further prodding), the puddle vanished. I'm no plumber, but I was pretty proud of that accomplishment!  

Tuesday Morning

After breakfast, I accompanied the Grade 8 activity group on their Biodiversity Hike. They really enjoyed visiting the EOEC chickens.

I had to cut my time on this trek short, because my borrowed boots were a bit ill-fitting and my socks, though warm, kept slipping. A small wound on the back of my heel formed, so to ensure I wasn't completely out of commission for the rest of the trip, I headed back to HQ to a) get a Band-Aid, b) trade the boots for a more suitable size, and c) use a combination of my long, knee-high socks with the shorter, warmer socks for better protection. 

I continued my MacGyver streak by hand-stitching a student's pants, which had a huge rip in the crotch. My preference is to use a sewing machine, but I got the job done and it looked good!

Tuesday Afternoon

"EOEC Steve" and "EOEC Alison" led the group I followed, the Grade 7-8 mixed team, on a meaningful exploration of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum. I will need to ask them again for the source they used when explaining to the students. It was simple yet comprehensive. This afternoon included traditional hunting and cooking methods. All my senses were engaged, from the scent of the cedar tree recently penetrated by a large woodpecker, to the taste of fresh bannock baked over an open fire in the woods.

Tuesday Evening

The evening activities consisted of "Find Frank", a whole group outdoor challenge, and a movie night. It doesn't matter how many times I see Pixar's "Up" - I cry every time!

Wednesday Morning

It was my chance to spend time with the straight Grade 7 group, when they went on their Biodiversity Hike with "EOEC Dean". The weather was rainy but the interest was high. Students saw and heard many animals, from geese to rabbits to cardinals. They also saw evidence that many more plants and animals were nearby, such as deer poop and berries.

One of my favourite moments was shortly after this hike, when one of the students announced, "I am now invested in birding". We shared this news with EOEC Dean, who then showed the particular student how to use his personal (and very expensive) camera equipment to take photos of the birds assembling near their feeder. Later, he then printed off one of the images she captured as a memento. Her photograph was way better than any I took on this trip.

Wednesday Afternoon

There were two parts to this session on Wednesday afternoon. The first was called "Instincts for Survival". It is a common outdoor activity. I myself played it as a youngster during a day-trip to the  Hillside Outdoor Education Centre. I knew it as "Predator and Prey". Back then, I vividly remembered a) being a chipmunk, b) losing all my "lives" within the first five minutes of the game, and c) spending the rest of the hour lost in the [small] forest. This was a much more positive experience thanks to the leadership of "EOEC Wes", both for me and for the students. I got to play Mother Nature, where I gave extra lives to students who had to surrender their sticks to student predators (for a small price of an answer to a question about the animal they were representing). The other teachers played cars on the "highway", aka the paved boundaries of the outdoor game space. No one got lost.

The second portion was the chance to learn about maple syrup. Our group was fortunate enough to be the very first group this year at EOEC to tap maple trees and hang the sap collection buckets. 

Wednesday Evening

Just before dinner, we had a special guest visit us, which brought happy tears to many of our eyes. After dinner, we headed outside, built a large campfire, roasted marshmallows and ate a version of smores. The conditions weren't ideal for staying out, so we returned to the indoor common room, where every dorm room performed short skits distributed by "Macphail Dean" (Dean Roberts, one of our male supervisors and an expert at these sorts of outdoor education trips). Defying expectations, we even had a group volunteer to perform a song of their own accord during the evening's entertainment. (We have a lot of initiative-taking leaders in this group of students!)

Speaking of "Macphail Dean", another unique moment formed after the skits were done and shortly before bedtime. The girls had heard rumors that Mr. Roberts sang to the boys early in the morning to wake them. Several expressed dismay that they didn't get to experience the phenomenon themselves. I asked Dean and he agreed to give a short command performance at the end of the girls' dormitory. He serenaded them with his deliberately-off-tune version of "On Top of Spaghetti", which was met with loud applause and appreciation. 

Thursday Morning

Packing took a while, even though it began the night before. After their final breakfast, the whole group of students used GPS devices in a scavenger hunt. I stayed behind in the main building with a couple of students who weren't feeling 100%. I read 10 chapters of Wab Kinew's Walking in Two Worlds to them while they rested. I really appreciated "EOEC Lori" for all she did during this time for our students and their families.

Thursday Afternoon

Buses? Check. Bags? Check. Bye-byes? Also check. Mr. Tong and I rode with the Grade 8s. We thought the majority of them would be asleep on the ride home but they defied expectations by remaining awake and alert. 

A lot of credit for the success of this trip has to go to Lisa Daley, the Grade 7 home room teacher, and Farah Wadia, the Grade 8 home room teacher. They organized everything from the permission forms to dorm allocations to seating plans and more. Our school supervision team consisted of me, Ms. Daley, Mr. Tong ("Macphail Steve") and Mr. Roberts ("Macphail Dean"). Dean retired in 2020 but did us a huge favor by agreeing to come on the trip to help monitor the boys' dormitory.

Steve Tong and Lisa Daley deserve awards for their stamina, because once we returned from EOEC, they conducted parent-teacher interviews until after 7:00 pm!

I am not exaggerating when I say that this trip creates memories that last a lifetime. While at my Cross Fit gym just prior to leaving, I mentioned that I would be absent for a few days to supervise the students on their overnight trip, and so many adults, now in their 20s, 30s and 40s, began to reminisce excitedly about the wonderful times they had on a similar excursion. If you are a hesitant parent debating about whether or not to let your child attend, I recommend you say yes. The appreciation for nature, solidification (and formation of new) friendships, independence, rich authentic learning and the community building is unparalleled. 

Students Can Make a Difference

 February feels busier than before. There are many possible explanations.

• It could be because we are solidly in-person, with no hints of shifting to online learning on the horizon. 
• It could be because we are working steadily on our upcoming school concert and I am one of the main organizers. 
• It could be because we just wrapped up writing report cards. 
• It could be because next week, I'll accompany our middle school students on a four-day overnight trip. (In a few weeks, I'll also be traveling to a conference to present.)

It also could be because, despite having fewer clubs at our school, those clubs are busy planning and executing events with the goal of making the world a better place. Let me describe two examples.

Student Council and the BHM Bake Sale

I am not part of our school's Student Council. Two other teachers help support it. I really like how they allow the students to take the lead on projects. One such student initiative was the recent bake sale. The students wanted to do a bake sale, hold it in February, and fundraise for a Black charity. They chose the Ontario Black History Society as the recipient for their fundraising efforts. The group had to be extra cautious because of food allergies but with suggestions from their teacher sponsors, the event was held on Monday February 6 and was a huge success. I think they raised between $500-$600 and sold out by the end of the day. Here is a photo of their offerings. (There were a lot more students involved; they took sales shifts in small groups.)

All Human and the Buddy Bracelet Initiative

Linked with their involvement in the Lincoln Alexander Essay contest and Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment, our students have connected with the MLSE Huddle Up Program. 

The goal of Huddle Up is to prevent bullying, discrimination and racism by promoting a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, while empowering and encouraging students to take action.

As part of this partnership, the students formed a Huddle Up Student Committee. They've christened their group "All Human". In preparation for the late-March virtual assembly, All Human has adopted a few projects. They helped coordinate the Bell Let's Talk Day for mental health in our school, by supplying class teachers with lessons and activities for their students. The latest goal, which ironically matches up with a recent staff goal, was to re-examine student recognition practices. As we speak, members of All Human are developing the criteria for peer-to-peer recognition. They will then address the classes with a short speech explaining the plan. Using Buddy Bracelets as a physical prize and a "pay it forward" mentality, students will acknowledge each other for acts of kindness, anti-racism and inclusion and publicize it on our virtual announcements. 

We are so fortunate to work with such motivated, socially conscious, hard-working, caring students. We are also so lucky to have staff members willing to support students while allowing them to have agency. It makes for a great combination.

OLA SC 2023

 

I need to begin today's reflection by returning to last week's reflection and combining it with someone else's reflection. (How's that for convoluted?) The wonderful Doug Peterson and Stephen Hurley mentioned my blog post on my puppet theatre STEM challenge in their This Week in Ontario Edublogs episode. They had some questions that begged for a response.

a) What is a standing flashlight?

This is a term of my own invention, which actually supports the theory that I have no clue what I am doing in hardware stores. I needed a flashlight that could "stand" on its own, without rolling off a desk. Since our school has eliminated all our overhead projectors (thank you Stephen in your show for talking about how kids are drawn to making hand shadows with past and current light emitters, from overhead projectors to data projectors), I needed something to produce light that I did not have to hold all the time. I've pasted two photos on here as examples. The first one I'd call a "regular flashlight" and I nicknamed the second a "standing flashlight".

b) What will we do when the show it over? What happens when it comes down? Does all the intellectual property come down with it too? Will it be easier to do next time? Will we document how to put it back together?

I'm fortunate that the creator, Dean Roberts, is a retired teacher. He promised to come by the school this coming Tuesday to see if he can assemble it the way he created it. This time, we will definitely take photos and record the necessary steps. Even though it was fun to try and determine how to build it without directions, it definitely got a bit frustrating at a certain point. (To clarify, my own children focused on the puppet building rather than the theatre building. I'm not breaking into my school on the weekends!) Creating an instructional manual for the puppet theatre is a must. The video is a good idea - thanks for the prompt, Stephen and Doug!

Doug and Stephen talked about the desire for students to stay in a place when they are super-engaged (like Doug's computer lab and Stephen's classroom when his students were making Rube Goldberg machines), about jackdaws (I had to make one for Grade 7 history), about friendly Home Hardware stores in Milton (I don't fault my local supplier with being unapproachable - the hangup is purely my own internal inferiority complex), and eventually, they got onto the topic of the Ontario Library Association Super Conference as they began talking about Jen Aston's post. (I smiled hearing about this, because I was the person who rewrote the Queen's University Teacher Librarianship AQs, so I'm indirectly connected to Jen's project! Jen - I hope you enjoyed creating it.)

Circumstances meant that I was only able to attend a single day at OLA SC, but I'm so thankful I could. Here's my own reflection of the conference.

Ontario Library Association Super Conference 2023

Walking in Two Worlds - Reflections by Diana Maliszewski

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 9:00 a.m.

How to Run an LGBTQIA+ Book Club for Teens If You're Not Queer or Trans

Summary: (taken from the program description)

Say you know there’s a need for a queer book club for teens at your library, and you’re willing to run the program, but you’re not queer—what are some best practices for being an incredible ally to your LGBTQ2IA* teens? This panel will bring a group of LGBTQ2IA* authors together to think through best practices, and all the tips and tricks we’ve got to make your queer book club the best it can be. We will talk about things from book selection to developing a community agreement to thinking through the kinds of other supports a queer book club needs to be successful, especially if the person running it isn't queer themselves.

3 Key Points:

1. The authors were all queer kids growing up and they offered several tips on going a good ally and moving towards being an accomplice. 

    a) Offer both overtly and covertly queer materials so readers can feel comfortable borrowing. Sometimes you want covers with visibility and sometimes you don't.

    b) Don't force pronoun identification; phrase things in a way that signal that this is a safe place even if students aren't ready/willing/comfortable sharing (e.g. "If you'd like to share your pronouns, feel free" / "What pronouns do you want to use in this space?" / What is the name you are comfortable using?")

    c) There are often two main concerns for library professionals providing queer book clubs - making mistakes like using the wrong language and pushback in conservative communities - so just make sure you have supportive admin/colleagues and a plan in case things don't go well; plus, don't make a big deal if you mess up a name (just say "sorry, let me correct that" and move on)

    d) Don't center your own identity as a cis or straight person

    e) Give direction to the book club by establishing guidelines for conduct (because as Edward Underhill, one of the speakers stated, "marginalized kids can still be dicks to each other")

    f) Bring queer or trans adults into the space and ensure that these guests can give the teens what they want and need (i.e. intersectional viewpoints)

2. The speakers gave several ideas on what library folks can do to support queer and trans teens, such as sharing power.

3. There are many helpful resources out there, such as Dahlia Adler's LGBTQ Read website, the BIPOC Bookshelf, the Mombian website, the ALA Rainbow List, the Stonewall and Lambda Awards, and GLSEN's website.

So What? Now What? 

There were a lot of great points shared in this session. The Q&A helped. There were a lot of useful "This is what you can say" phrases, such as:

- how to respond if in a queer book club a member suggests that asexual people aren't part of the queer spectrum (You can say "I hear you and it's not for you to decide.") 

- how to help with readers' advisory without forcing readers to name their identity (You can say "What interests you?" or "Are you looking for a particular kind of pairing?")

I'm not sure if I am ready to begin a GSA or queer book club in my SLLC but it's reassuring to know it's okay to make mistakes and what to say at times.

Media Artifacts

Panelists suggest searching https://t.co/EzRdusNAbM for LGBTQ+ genre to find intersectional books.#OLASC https://t.co/zVTxMiOFPY pic.twitter.com/Ze5vwLb6RX

— Laura Wheeler (@wheeler_laura) February 3, 2023

Great site curating LGBTQ+ books recommended by the panelistshttps://t.co/Pn14z3qE4B#OLASC https://t.co/zVTxMiOFPY pic.twitter.com/Dan15fjUEm

— Laura Wheeler (@wheeler_laura) February 3, 2023

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.

OLA Super Conference Exhibit Hall

This is such a great space. I wandered through all the vendor displays and spoke to a variety of people, from representatives from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association to the Privacy Commission of Canada, from TVO to lots of publishers. I received a gorgeous autographed book called Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench by Lydia Lukidis and held many enriching conversations.

Media Artifacts

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 10:30 a.m.

OSLA Spotlight Session - Dr. David Anderson

Summary: (taken from the program description)

Libraries and Librarians created Catalogue systems, selected the books for their collections and for many years, decided who would be granted access to their collections. Today, libraries continue to be the collectors and depositories of the Written Word but the process of determining what is “good enough”, how to catalogue works and how to display such work, is changing.

Wahwahbiginojii Indizhinikaaz , Mukwa Indoodem. Dene/Anishinaabe Indow. Dr. David Anderson, has spent over 30 years as an Indigenous Educator working with First Nations Communities in the classroom, on policy, curriculum, resource development, and Teacher Education.  He received his Doctorate in Indigenous Education from Seven Generations Education Institute in Ontario in 2017.

David is currently working with GoodMinds.com and Indigenous Education Press as an Editor, Indigenous Educator and writer. Our Team's focus is to bring the Languages and Knowledge of our Ancestors to All of Us. 

David is the proud father of two beautiful children and is Third Degree Midewiwin in the Minweyweywigaan Lodge at Roseau River First Nation. 

David can be reached at david@goodminds.com

3 Key Points:

I didn't write down any notes from this session, as I arrived a bit late after getting absorbed by the Expo Hall (a common OLA SC problem).

So What? Now What?

To be frank, I found this session a bit rambly and unfocused. Thing is, I'm unsure if this is just my Western settler ears being used to a certain style of presentation. Maybe that's my next step - to become more accustomed to Indigenous ways of sharing knowledge.

Media Artifacts

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 12:00 noon

TDSB TL Luncheon

Several teacher-librarians gathered at Scaddabush to eat lunch together and socialize.

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 1:00 p.m.

Creating an English Language Learner Friendly School Library

Summary: (taken from the program description)

With more than a third of the school identified as English Language Learners, the Queen Elizabeth Public School Library was a place where English Language Learners often felt lost or overwhelmed but a partnership between the ELL team and the Library Technician has begun to foster a space where these students feel welcome and valued. Join Library Technician Megan Venner to discuss small but purposeful changes the school made to create an English Language Learner friendly library.

3 Key Points:

1. It can be challenging to make changes with no budget, barely any staffing, and little central support. Megan Venner, from the OCDSB, offered 4 areas she focused on with her one of her two schools (one with 25 countries and 26 languages represented). Her big points were that small changes have big impact, collaboration is key, and connections are important.

2. Signage and Content are important. She made signs on Canva, selecting the top five languages spoken by English Language Learners in her school. She placed displays in high traffic areas in her library and she found students noticed immediately. She moved her dual language books to a more visible area and also sought out accessible books (e.g. wordless books) to promote. She is very deliberate with her word choice, saying books are "fun and quick reads" rather than "for lower grade reading levels". 

3. Connections and Community are the other areas she focused on. She offered an ELL-only library orientation in October after the regular class orientations in September to provide a more in-depth explanation of services. She arranges field trips to the local public library. She is deliberate about bringing in specific authors as guest speakers (such as Danny Ramadan) to appeal to everyone. 

So What? Now What?

I should revitalize my dual language section with better shelves, signage, and promotion.

Media Artifacts

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 2:45 p.m.

Maamwi - A Journey Together on Reconciliation Through Education

Summary: (taken from the program description)

Decolonizing the minds and hearts of educators is critical to confronting the legacy of colonialism in Canada. The Indigenous Peoples Education Circle (IPEC), College Libraries Ontario (CLO), and The Learning Portal have created a best practice in advancing the goals of the TRC. This session will outline the planning, funding, coordinating and implementation of the Maamwi Hub, a repository for Ontario college students and faculty. This Indigenous-specific open learning resource is rooted in the work of Confederation College and the Negahneewin Council and guided by IPEC and their Action Plan that sees a move away from a ‘deficit approach to Indigenous Peoples to a reciprocal relationship that recognizes the contribution of Indigenous staff, students and communities to the College system.” This initiative is a best practice of respectful, consultative, open, careful and gentle dialogue that will help advance Indigenous education across the system and contribute to systemic change.

3 Key Points:

1. The learning portal can be found at tlp-lpa.ca

2. It is important to move beyond a minimal duty to consult. There's a lot of mistrust between colleges and Indigenous people and they have to be true participants at the table.

3. It takes time to develop relationships but is worthwhile when people come from a good place and good heart, with an open heart and open mind. Non-Indigenous members of Maamwe didn't personalize information as "attacks" when they were told about the good, bad, and ugly from Indigenous partners.

So What? Now What?

I really wish we got to see the actual resources created, but it doesn't launch until April. The categories (Discover / Inquiry / Inspire / Empower) sound like they will be useful for educators of all sorts to digest. Once it goes live, I will need to look at it.

Media Artifacts

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 4:00 p.m.

Closing Keynote - Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Summary: (taken from the program description)

Elamin Abdelmahmoud is the host of CBC’s Commotion, and author of the No. 1 national bestseller Son of Elsewhere, a New York Times notable book of the year. He is a Reporter at Large for BuzzFeed News and a contributor to The National’s At Issue panel. Elamin was a founding host of Party Lines and Pop Chat for CBC Podcasts. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, the Globe, and others. When he gets a chance, he writes bad tweets.

3 Key Points:

1. We make sense of our lives and identities through stories.

2. Popular culture helps us build roads to connect with others (like wrestling).

3. Sometimes it is important to pause in the telling of our stories to make room for others.

So What? Now What?

I was so impressed with Elamin that I bought his book. I was already well-disposed to him because he is the husband of Emily Burns, who led SuperConference in 2020 when I was a OSLA Conference Planner. He had a very difficult act to follow, as just prior to his speech, OLA presented the OSLA Lifetime Achievement Award and gave it posthumously to Caroline Freibauer. I wrote about Caroline before on my blog. It was hard for both the presenters (Beth Lyons, Johanna Lawler) and the recipients (Natalie, Caroline's daughter) to hold back the tears. He read the room perfectly and still managed to deliver a great talk. My next step is to read his book.

Media Artifacts

Remembering and honouring the late and beloved Caroline Freibauer with the Ontario School Library Association Lifetime Achievement Award at the School Library Spotlight #OLASC.

Thank you to Caroline’s daughter Natalie and family for accepting and sharing their love with us. pic.twitter.com/7sk7wB8Hgi

— OLA (@ONLibraryAssoc) February 3, 2023

I love watching @elamin88's wife reacting and shaking her head in reaction to his jokes through his keynote story. #OLASC pic.twitter.com/clGvyi3JfC

— Laura Wheeler (@wheeler_laura) February 3, 2023

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 5:30 p.m.

Closing Reception

Interstitial, according to the Cambridge dictionary, means

relating to the space or time between things:

and it was the connections, the time spent between sessions chatting with others that meant so much to me this year. This is practically impossible to replicate with a virtual conference, although I am very grateful that they offered the choice of virtual sessions at this conference. It is telling that most of the photos I took were selfies with people I talked with. Friends and colleagues are so important. This collage is just SOME of the selfies I took with a few of the lovely people I hung out with.

Thank you to everyone that spent time with me, chatted with me, taught me, and made my OLA SC time a precious one.