Blog 2: Allison Bird Pack, Spring Valley High School

Mrs. Allison Bird Pack standing in front of an Art display in the library at SVHS  

Introduction

Allison Bird Pack is one of two librarians at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC. She became a librarian in 2017. I have been a teacher at SVHS since August 2015; I have been a consistent visitor in the library since Pack came to Spring Valley. My classes routinely visit the library to find books to read for independent reading and to get sessions on research and Noodletools. I interviewed her based on the following AASL standard: "Collaborate.D.2.Grow: Creating a learning environment in which learners understand that learning is a social responsibility." I chose this standard because I was curious about how she fosters an environment of collaboration.

Reflections & Takeaways 

We spent the first half of our conversation discussing the ways in which the pandemic and virtual learning has impacted student social interactions. Before COVID students were more curious and interested in engaging in conversation. "When we shut down, we turned them over to the devices, and some haven't returned."  Cell phones and students' seeming addiction to them was another barrier to collaboration. 

She enjoys collaborating with colleagues when she can; she spoke of collaborating with teachers for the African American Read-In, Shakespeare Festival, Grilled Cheese Musical, and more. However, she also spoke to the challenges teachers face with collaborating with her including time and burnout. Another way she collaborates with teachers is by offering the library space as a museum to showcase student work and offering the space to teachers who need them for gamifying their classroom or for other reasons.

One key to collaborating she discussed is the impact of building relationships. By solving problems, using creative thinking, and being accessible, librarians can foster collaboration. A resource she mentioned for collaboration was the ways in which the space is organized: "It's not about what you have, but how you use what have." Having comfortable seating and tables that make it easy for students to gather and collaborate will also make it easier for students to talk to one another. 

One thing from this interview I hope to take with me is to keep the faith and keep pressing forward. I honestly didn't get much hope from this conversation because she dwelt on the post COVID challenges and how a whole generation of students will be lost. I refuse to dwell in pessimism. 

These are trying times to be working in education, but we must find ways to solve the problems that arise and help our students learn how to collaborate and communicate. When I first started teaching in 2008, I realized I assumed students knew information that they didn't. Some of our students don't know how to collaborate, some of them don't know how to hold an in-person conversation either because they do not get much practice doing it at home or in school. We can't assume students know how to do something and then get disappointed or give up on them when they don't know how to do it. Some people have a tendency to focus on problems, but I like to focus on solutions. What's next? What can we do to help better this situation? This mentality will be one that I will carry with me into my career as a librarian.



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