The Wyoming State Library is pleased to announce that 13 rural school librarians began a three-year professional development cohort program, designed to enhance their skills in the digital world, on October 8-9 with a virtual conference. Rural school librarians from North Dakota and South Dakota are also participating in the cohort. Technology and Innovation in Education (TIE) of Rapid City is coordinating the program, free to librarians, thanks in part to an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant. The state libraries of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming are partnering with TIE on this program, called “Reaching Out.”
The Wyoming “Reaching Out” participants are:
- Laurie Boyson, Converse County School District #1
- Ron Chesmore, Fremont County School District #38
- Megan Dingman, Campbell County School District #1
- Suzanne Dorn, Washakie County School District #1
- Christine Hampton, Weston County School District #7
- Natasha Harris, Fremont County School District #1
- Connie Hollin, Platte County District #2
- Sally Hoover, Weston County School District #1
- Stefanie Hunt, Albany County School District #1
- Wende Jenness, Big Horn County School District #3
- Janet Kanode, Crook County School District #1
- Jennisen Lucas, Park County School District #6
- Kristie Ralston, Teton County School District #1.
Through face-to-face and virtual learning, selected librarians will gain expertise in utilizing Open Educational Resources (OER) and will be prepared to serve as instructional leaders in their schools. The event this week provides a focus on teaching Digital Literacy and the new national standards, as well as Digital Citizenship. Project Director, Julie Erickson, explained that these digital skills and standards integrate with content area standards to support teachers and students who live in a digital world.
More information is available from Julie Erickson at jerickson@tie.net.
TIE, an extension of public schools, has worked for more than three decades to improve instruction throughout the region.
This project was made possible in part by IMLS, grant RE-7018-0050-18. The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s approximately 120,000 libraries and 35,000 museums, with a mission to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement.”