Explore - Bambi Ferrer

Bambi Ferrer is the media specialist at North Central High School in Kershaw County.  In a personal interview, she was asked to share how she incorporates the AASL National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries in her library program.  Specifically, Bambi was asked to share how she uses the shared foundation explore in her library program.

Bambi shared three different ways that she encourages students to explore.  Her first method or encouragement is through her reading program.  Bambi has modeled her reading program after the Epic Reads program.  Each month, she challenges students to read a different genre or type of book.  This addresses the first competency under "think" for the shared foundation of explore.  The second aspect of her library program, which encourages students to explore, is through her Breakout EDU boxes.  Bambi stated that she feels students today's students severely lack critical thinking skills.  She feels that these boxes foster inquiry based learning.  If one were to look at the competencies outlined under explore, it would be apparent that these boxes address several competencies.  Finally, Bambi shared that she sponsors a coding club where students code to create their own games.  

Bambi shared that she does not have very many resources to use with students because it is a small school with a very limited budget.  She noted that every student has their own district issued device which she can use in varying ways.  She, also, has three Breakout EDU boxes that she can use for lessons.  In addition, Bambi has spent extensive time reorganizing her entire library by genre in hopes to encourage students to read different subjects. 

Bambi stated that for this competency, she only collaborates with teachers on what curriculum objective will be met through one of the Breakout EDU activities.  Additionally, she stated that most of the time, this only involves the teacher telling her a topic, and then she does everything else to plan out the activity.  Based on Bambi's response, it does not appear that teachers are willing to extensively collaborate with her.    

Bambi Ferrer stated that she feels she has two major challenges implementing the competencies for explore.  For starters, she feels that she struggles with teacher support on engaging activities.  She shared that the most common response she receives for teachers whenever she approaches them is that they do not have time for extra activities.  She shared that this worries her because many of those "extra" activities are exactly what students need to gain skills outlined by the Profile of a South Carolina Graduate.  She, also, feels that her small budget is a challenge because the majority of her budget can only be used to purchase books.