Sarah Murphy is the librarian at Kennedy Middle School in Natick.
In this new column, we're thrilled to feature a librarian new to the profession. We hope you enjoy this chance to meet someone at the start of their school library career!
1. What's your name, title and school?
Sarah Murphy, librarian at Kennedy Middle School in Natick.
2. How did you come to librarianship?
After spending time as a second grade classroom teacher and a middle school reading specialist, I realized my true passion was literacy and wanted to be able to share that with a whole school community and not just small groups of students.
3. How would you explain the importance of your role to a nonlibrarian?
Librarians do so much more than check out books. They have the power to reach all students, whether through the lens of books, providing a safe and inclusive space, and/or helping students tackle the task of making sense of the world around them. Libraries have the potential to be the heart of a school community and I find that both thrilling and a little daunting!
4. What are you working on right now?
I am working on learning this new job, developing curriculum, and getting to know students and staff at my new school.
5. What is going well?
I truly feel like I have landed in the exact right place for me. I am enjoying this work so much already and I have so many ideas for what I hope I can bring to the table. It has been a far easier transition than I anticipated.
6. What is the most challenging thing so far?
The newness of it all has been challenging. I am working on learning new systems, new people, and a new school system, as well as trying to be seen as a resource to other teachers, develop curriculum, and gain a rapport with as many students as I can. It is all very exciting but it has been a lot!
7. What's the most unexpected thing about your new job?
I think the most unexpected thing for me has been just how happy I am in this role. I have cried happy tears more than once since I started and I don't think I knew how fulfilling a job could be. It also surprises me how fast the work day flies by. I am working on coming to terms with the fact that my to-do list may never be finished.
8. What are you reading or watching?
I'm reading The Pants Project by Cat Clarke. I'm listening to November 9 by Colleen Hoover and I am watching the LuLaRoe Documentary on Amazon.
9. What do you hope the MA School Library Association can do for you?
I am hoping the MSLA can help me stay current, connected, and inspired in this new role.
1. What's your name, title and school?
Sarah Murphy, librarian at Kennedy Middle School in Natick.
2. How did you come to librarianship?
After spending time as a second grade classroom teacher and a middle school reading specialist, I realized my true passion was literacy and wanted to be able to share that with a whole school community and not just small groups of students.
3. How would you explain the importance of your role to a nonlibrarian?
Librarians do so much more than check out books. They have the power to reach all students, whether through the lens of books, providing a safe and inclusive space, and/or helping students tackle the task of making sense of the world around them. Libraries have the potential to be the heart of a school community and I find that both thrilling and a little daunting!
4. What are you working on right now?
I am working on learning this new job, developing curriculum, and getting to know students and staff at my new school.
5. What is going well?
I truly feel like I have landed in the exact right place for me. I am enjoying this work so much already and I have so many ideas for what I hope I can bring to the table. It has been a far easier transition than I anticipated.
6. What is the most challenging thing so far?
The newness of it all has been challenging. I am working on learning new systems, new people, and a new school system, as well as trying to be seen as a resource to other teachers, develop curriculum, and gain a rapport with as many students as I can. It is all very exciting but it has been a lot!
7. What's the most unexpected thing about your new job?
I think the most unexpected thing for me has been just how happy I am in this role. I have cried happy tears more than once since I started and I don't think I knew how fulfilling a job could be. It also surprises me how fast the work day flies by. I am working on coming to terms with the fact that my to-do list may never be finished.
8. What are you reading or watching?
I'm reading The Pants Project by Cat Clarke. I'm listening to November 9 by Colleen Hoover and I am watching the LuLaRoe Documentary on Amazon.
9. What do you hope the MA School Library Association can do for you?
I am hoping the MSLA can help me stay current, connected, and inspired in this new role.
