CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Ms. Dunbar has won the BC Teacher-Librarians’ Association New Teacher-Librarian of the Year Award!
Ms. Dunbar is an outstanding, experienced teacher who views literacy as the key to success for her students. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of her students, and she decided to become a teacher-librarian so that she could focus on literacy development for all students. We are so glad she chose to be the Glenwood Teacher-Librarian!
When Ms. Dunbar took on the role of Glenwood Teacher-Librarian she spent a year and a half – including giving up countless evenings and weekends, all Spring break and two months over two summers – to completely transform the library space, function and operation to the Library Learning Commons model.
She weeded and re-catalogued every single item in the collection and completely redesigned the shelving structure to meet the needs of the students. She found multiple different funding avenues for book purchases, and she continues to add to her now amazing and highly popular collection. She replaced all the furniture with lovely mobile pieces that focus on the Library Learning Commons model, had the walls painted, and creatively decorated the space in a lively and colourful fashion. She developed a comprehensive Maker Space section that is constantly used by students. Stations at each of the tables invite students to engage in ADST and literacy through explorative play. Student laptops and desktop computers allow full access to online resources, and she actively teaches students digital literacy skills. Music and singing are also part of Ms. Dunbar’s programming – she views singing as a great literacy development learning activity.
Ms. Dunbar works collaboratively with Glenwood teachers to integrate the Library Learning Commons into the everyday activities of students and classes in the school. She is a team leader, whose vision, passion and collaborative skills bring staff together as they create and implement school-wide programs with a focus on literacy development.
Ms. Dunbar has created an amazing Library Learning Commons in an incredibly short space of time. She is constantly developing her skills and knowledge through professional development and working with her colleagues. But more than that, Ms. Dunbar is a true leader. She has become a highly respected teacher-librarian, much loved by all the students in the school, and is the go-to person for many colleagues – teachers, administrators and teacher-librarians alike. Ms. Dunbar has only been in the role of teacher-librarian for a few years, but she and her model program are such an inspiration for others that it feels like she has always been there.
Congratulations Ms. Dunbar!