Reflection on Internship: The Value of Reflection

According to Dictionary.com, reflection is “a fixing of the thoughts on something; careful consideration.” Synonyms include think, meditate, ponder, mirror, consider, and contemplate. I looked this up out of curiosity as I sat down to begin the assigned reflection on my MLS internship. My internship has been a unique one, as I interned at Underwood GT Magnet Elementary School, where I have actually held the position as School Librarian for the past five years. NCDPI requires that school librarians have a Masters of Library Science, so here I am completing a seemingly long stint as a graduate student. The internship has been a culmination of over thirty semester hours studying foundations of librarianship, reference, professional literature, collection development, technology, library administration, instructional strategies, leadership, elementary and young adult literature, and more. Reflecting on my internship is apropos - after five years in my job, it is time to look closely at my beliefs, practices, and goals. Additionally, next year School Library Media Coordinators will be evaluated using new North Carolina School Library Media Coordinator Standards. These standards are aligned to the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards and state that SLMCs will...

• demonstrate leadership. (Standard 1) 
• build a learning environment that meets the instructional needs of a diverse population of students. (Standard 2) 
• implement a comprehensive 21st century library media program. (Standard 3) 
• demonstrate knowledge of learners and learning and promote effective instructional practices. (Standard 4) 
• reflect on their practices. (Standard 5) 

These standards have certainly been set high, although I fully agree with the expectations as they support our job of matching resources with learners. WCPSS Instructional Technology and Library Media Services team states the following as its work philosophy: 

We build relationships by guiding students and educators in using the right resources and tools for the right learners at the right times. 

http://wcpsscommonthreads.blogspot.com/

With this overarching philosophy guiding me, along with the tools and experience provided through my graduate work, my internship, and my work experiences, I feel equipped and enthusiastic to meet the “Distinguished” level for each standard.

The highlights of my internship include creating a professional blog and leading an in-service on blogging, visiting another media center, and compiling my internship log. Coincidentally, the value in all three was the reflection that came from the activity. Committing to blogging has obligated me to look more closely at current topics, such as internet safety, as well as topics discussed in my graduate classes. For example, in one post I revisited and pondered Ken Robinson’s well-circulated TED Talk, Schools Kill Creativity. Another helpful and inspiring opportunity to reflect was during my visit to another library setting. I interned at a middle school library with a dynamic librarian who is integrating common core into her library and practices. It was refreshing to have time to see another program in action and to be able to ask questions. I look forward to applying many new ideas! Finally, and surprisingly, the Internship Log was an essential reflective activity. The simple practice of logging my time really opened my eyes – I get a lot accomplished within the day.

In thinking back on my internship, my strengths lie in Standards 1 and 2. I have modeled and lead 21st century teaching and learning concepts and strategies through collaborative planning and team teaching. My collaborative efforts have focused on designing differentiated instruction that assures the integration of content, pedagogy, and technology across the curriculum. Learning experiences that come from working with staff members most often include learning experiences that cultivate creativity and critical thinking, resulting in student created content. Professional development opportunities that I offer focus on either integrating information or instructional technology into curricular areas or on resources and instructional strategies to meet the needs of a diverse population of students. Additionally, it is essential that I am continually learning, so a priority is participating in a professional learning network (PLN) at my school and via social networking.

Looking ahead, I plan on continuing to improve in all areas, but especially in Standards 3 and 4. I am brainstorming ways to involve stakeholders, including students, staff, and the community in leisure reading activities, such as a summer reading program. Additionally, I am looking for ways to implement community partnerships to provide additional support to our literacy program at Underwood. My main concentration will be to work towards a fully flexible media center schedule. To do this, I will need to communicate data that illustrates the connection between an open and flexibly scheduled library media program, collaboration with classroom teachers, and student learning. I will also use the grade levels already on a flexible schedule as models for those resisting changing from their fixed schedule.

Although interning at my current job seemed to be an unusual concept, I now see the tremendous value. The reflection piece especially has been especially important; I have spent much time considering my job performance and how well I meet expectations, both those spelled out formally by NCDPI and those imposed informally by myself and my school community. I have closely examined and shaped my beliefs, my practices, and my goals. Reflection is certainly an ongoing process which I will diligently continue wherever my career as a School Librarian leads me.