A Young Adult Literature Library Project

One of my projects for 2015 is setting up and establishing a young adult literature library to go along with the already-established children's literature library there. While getting the space and bookcases was quite an undertaking, it was only part of the battle. Right now, my intrepid student assistant and I are in the process of cataloging, marking, and shelving all of my YA books. Here are some of the tools and resources that have been invaluable in this project (which is ongoing):

January's Free Professional Development

January is a time of renewal and resolutions. Whether our goals are professional or personal, the beginning of the year is a perfect time to consider what we've done in the past and think about what we might do better in the future. If one of your new year's resolutions was to continue learning about teaching and education, here are some of this month's free virtual PD opportunities to help you get started!

A (Very) Belated Happy New Year!

I apologize for my long absence from the blog, but the end of the fall semester was especially difficult. Besides the typical end-of-the-semester craziness of grades and finals, I managed to get the flu and food poisoning, so I spent most of the last three weeks of the semester very sick. However, that is in the past, and I'm trying to get ready for the spring semester. With this goal in mind, I turned to one of my favorite poems. To those of you getting ready to return to school (or who have already started), good luck and be ready to "ring in the new"!

In Memoriam (Ring out, wild bells)
by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
   The flying cloud, the frosty light:
   The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
   Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
   The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
   For those that here we see no more;
   Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
   And ancient forms of party strife;
   Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
   The faithless coldness of the times;
   Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
   The civic slander and the spite;
   Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
   Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
   Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
   The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
   Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.