Mary Alice Osborne
I love working with young people from diverse countries and cultures. It is a pleasure to share their enthusiasm, hopes and dreams. I have been the Head Librarian at several international schools including the KAUST School on the campus of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, Shekou International School in South China, and the American Coop School of Tunis, in Tunisia. I have enjoyed the challenges and learning experiences of working in the international arena immensely. I am looking forward to a new position and a new challenge where I can use my creativity, talent and enthusiasm to create an active, international-minded library program.
My Background
I have been a certified educator for sixteen years, working in primary, middle and high school libraries. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in both Elementary and Special Education from the University of Vermont, and a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University.
Philosophy
A library should be a warm, welcoming place that is the heart of the school, where students, faculty and parents are encouraged to develop a passion for literature and new ideas and become life-long learners. In my library, I strive to create an inspiring, interesting and thought-provoking environment of books, literature, people, programs and artifacts for student interaction and discovery.
I believe that the time has come for the traditional School Library to be transformed into a Learning Commons with shared space for Information Technology, Makerspaces and flexible multi-use areas that are meant to be rearranged for different purposes. The Library is a place for collaboration and group work as well as quiet study areas. I promote and utilize information technology to provide anywhere, anytime access to the resources of our library and the world of information beyond. I use technology to enable and enhance delivery of my programs and my collaboration with students and teachers.
Projects and Programs
I collaborate with students, faculty, and parents to create engaging multicultural thematic programs to spark students’ interest and inspire a passion for learning and an understanding of many different cultures. All Upper School students are involved in my library programs featuring themes such as: Dystopian Novels, Love Your Library, Earthday Everyday, Myths and Legends of Many Cultures, Festivals of Light, The Peacemakers, The Status of Women Worldwide, African & African American History,Poetry, and Senior Celebration.
I have a significant background in Information Technology, Art, and Graphics and I use my creative talents to make the library a vibrant and active place. My book displays and monthly themes stimulate learning and motivate students. Many of my PowerPt projects are shared at SlideShare Here are a few of the posters and projects I have created for recent themes:
Book Bowl 2010 Theme: Read Around the World |
Research project: the Origins of Ghouls & Goblins |
Book Week 2010:You are My Hero |
Love 2 Read! |
Myths & Legends- Many Cultures |
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Women of Our World |
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Festivals of Light |
Cool Girls in Literature |
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Collaboration is Key
I collaborate with teachers on their units and lessons, teaching library research skills using NoodleTools and the Big6 Research Program and helping to motivate students to read. I incorporate Web 2.0 initiatives into collaborative units with teachers such as the Wiki I have created as the focus for an Early Man unit I co-taught with 6th grade teachers. I have extensive experience using LibGuide software to create Subject Guides. I collaborated with a 10th grade Humanities teacher to video-tape student book reviews, which we embedded in the Destiny library catalog. I created an interactive blog to discuss current YA books with high school students. I believe that collaboration between information professionals and teachers is essential so that students integrate their learning experiences in the library into their classroom lessons and their real life experiences. Students who are immersed in using the library for authentic purposes are likely to become life-long learners. The library should not be viewed as an entity by itself; it only comes alive when it is used by students for learning.
Collaboration Examples
I publish and share many of my presentations on Slideshare.net and many have been viewed thousands of times by other educators. Here are a few examples:
I collaborate with the Advisory Team to produce innovative themes, such as this one on Storytelling with Myths & Legends of many cultures. |
Click on the Image I create presentations about pertinent issues such as cyberbullying or evaluating websites to use in collaboration with teachers. |
Click on the Image I compile Resource Pathfinders for students and teachers to use in their studies, such as this one on Propaganda |
This is an interactive Wiki I created for a collaborative unit on Early Man with the 6th grade teachers this year.
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Extra-Curricular & Enrichment Activities
I believe strongly in creating as many opportunities as possible for students to learn new things and to develop their talents. In Vermont, I created and ran a Talent Development Program, which included directing a school newspaper, a chess club, teaching advanced math using experiential methods, and other programs to help develop talents in my students. More than half the student population participated in the program. At ACST, SIS and KAUST School, I have led the design and publication of the yearbook with students, and have also run student and adult book clubs. At ISG in Genoa, I ran student-created puppet shows in which students wrote the scripts and acted out their own shows for younger students.
I am a team player who enjoys working with others to make my school the best it can be for our students. I believe that through education, we can help create a better world of peace and understanding. It is such a pleasure to have a job that touches so many lives in many positive ways!
