I Read Kids' Books

 Last summer I found a Canva template someone shared with their bitmoji for summer reading. I really liked the idea and I took the template and amended it for myself and I started posting to all my socials. I then asked my principal if she would be willing to share a couple post to the school Facebook page. Of course she said yes, so I texted her a few times a month with the picture and a blurb about the book. Our students also all have Sora accounts, so if it was available, I also bought anything I read and included in my post that it was available in our library in the Fall, or on Sora right now. I didn't know if anyone would pay attention. I still don't. But, if even one parent saw a post and thought it was something their kid would read and they went and got the book, then mission accomplished!

 The original plan was just to do kid books, but then I realized I read more than kid books (especially during the summer) and I have adults following me that might care about what I'm reading. So I ended up doing a post for every book I read. And since I was having so much fun doing it during the summer, I decided to continue it into the school. I change bitmoji Mrs. Pierce for each season and I count how many books I've read.

I don't honestly know if anyone reads the books I post. I guess I don't really care.

ScreenRecorder Assignment

 Is Canva a Tech Tool? I say YES!

For my next assignment, I had to use a Screen Recording program and do a quick video showcasing a tech tool I am already familiar with. I've decided Canva counts as a tech tool. There is so much you can do with it and so many people share templates on the socials. I have an entre folder of templates I may or may not ever use. But maybe a teacher in my building will try to do something and I'll have a template to save the day! See the link below to my video...

For whatever reason, Loom wasn't cooperating (I have used it in the past), so I did a Zoom meeting by myself, recorded it and shared my screen. Fingers crossed that this works!

Tech Sandbox: Discover, Play, and Engage with the Newest EdTech Tools Assignment #1

 As I mentioned in my last post, I need to use this blog for a PD class. So you'll find my first assignment below....

Your Name, School District, and Grade Level or Role

My name is Tina Pierce. I'm the school librarian at Arcade Elementary School in the Pioneer Central School District. I work with all the students in the building, UPK - 4th grade.

How many years you’ve been in education

The 2025-2026 school year will be year 17+ in education.

Why do you teach?

I never thought I'd be a teacher. This is a 2nd career for me. When I returned to WNY, I discovered I could no longer do my previous career to the level I would have wanted. So I had to figure something else out. 'School Library Media Specialist' came up in my job searches. Once I discovered what that was and what I had to do to become one, I was sold. 

This is the best job in the school. I get to see every kid every week. Some of them are still 3 years old when they come to me in UPK and then some of them are 10 years old when they leave me to go to the middle school. They come to me as babies and leave me as little people!

Why did you choose to take this PD? What are you hoping to gain from it?

I selected this PD because so few PDs offered by my district apply to me. I can make this apply to my role as a school librarian. I'm hoping to discover some new tech tools that I didn't know about before or learn how to better use a tech tool that I've heard of, but never really had time to play with.

What is your favorite tech tool, and why?

Right now, my favorite tech tool is Canva. There is just so many ways it can be used. There is not a creative bone in my body, but when I use one of their templates, it looks like I actually have skills. Plus, so many people share templates on the socials! I grab them and save them, just in case. I might need them, or better yet, a teacher in my building might be able to use them!

It's been a hot minute....

 So I'm resurrecting this blog. I'd thought about it numerous times, but it just so happens that I need to for a PD class I'm taking.

So stay tuned....

Let's try this again...

More than five years later. I always have good intentions. But life happens. And I'm tired. And I'm on the computer all day at school so the last thing I want to do is turn the computer on at home. But I'm going to try.

The truth is, I'm so much more than a librarian. Don't get me wrong. I think I'm doing some pretty great librarian things. I'm not at the point in my career where the same old same old is good enough. So I'm still looking for new and fun things for my kiddos. And I'm in a reading rut. A lot. I'll take any suggestions.

But my running has taken on a life of its own. I've done 44 half marathons and 4 full marathons. I seem to have gotten a reputation for only doing international marathons, so I might as well keep that up! I have big plans for half marathon #50 in early 2020. I know where full marathon #5 will be, although not until 2022 at the earliest!

I've been chasing baseball stadiums since 1998. So many are gone and have new stadiums in their place. And Pat is joining me and there's a passport now, too.  So I have to return to many for Pat. And for that stamp in the passport. Looking like at least two passport stamps this summer.

I'm also reinvesting in learning French. I tool it in high school and even minored in it in college. But if you don't use it, you lose it. So I'm working on an app called Duolingo every day. They've added local meetups and I went to the first one. It was awkward and uncomfortable and I can't wait for the next one at the end of the month! I've also joined the Alliance Francaise in Buffalo with the hope that I'll have access to more French resources. With any luck, I'll be able to get by on my next trip to a French speaking country!

We're trying to buy a second home in Charleston, South Carolina. An old boyfriend took me in 2000 for maybe 2 days and I fell in love. Kept saying I wanted to retire there. Our friend Carla hooked us up with a realtor and Pat and I went in April 2018. We spent time in all the areas and decided that we'd really like to be in Mount Pleasant. We went again in February 2019 and made an offer on a cute 3 bedroom 2 bathroom condo. Jumped through many hoops just to have it fall apart the day before closing. Thought we were going to be sued for a while. But it fell apart through no fault of ours. I don't even want to look again right now. I need a break. Planning another trip in April 2020.

Like I said, I'm going to try. I'm not going to make any goals. I'll feel like crap if I don't keep to them. I'll stop in every so often and write more in depth about the things I've already mentioned. And maybe I'll write about some new things too. Until next time...

2013 in Review Part 2

The rest of my year in review...



July was quiet.  Worked a few days.  My principal retired and I was on the committee to pick candidates to replace him.  No races.  Just half marathon training.


August.  The end of summer.  I worked a bunch.  Still half marathon training.  Saw John Mayer at Darien Lake with Marianne.  It was freezing!!  My final 5K
of the season.  Another PR in the Moonlight Run.  Then we headed to Long Island for a week.  We hit some wineries with my parents.  We went into NYC and saw a taping of the David Letterman Show.  Oh, and my tenure was finally approved at the last board meeting before the new school year.  Phew!

September brought the new school year.  A lot less stress now that I have tenure.  But a new year is always exhausting!  But fun!  I ran my second ever 15K and did it almost 2 minutes faster than previously.  In 100% humidity!  September was also my second ever half marathon.  The Mighty Niagara.  It poured!!  I wore a hefty bag over my cute running outfit.  At least it was warm. It was the best day ever!!  At least that's what we had to keep telling ourselves to keep from crying.  Oh, and I PR'd!

In October, Pat turned 40.  I had a surprise party for him!!  He had no idea!  It was great!  I also rocked my unannounced observation with my new principal! Our department also presented at our state library conference.  We were rock stars!!  Over 60 librarians from all over the state came to see our presentation!! My third half marathon was at the end of October...  The Niagara Falls International.  The weather was decent... sunny and chilly.  And I took more than 9 minutes off my time from a month ago!  Which means, another PR!  It hurt, but I've decided I really like half marathons!!

November brought our 4th anniversary.  We went to dinner and we also went to see The Nutcracker at Shea's. It was also the Turkey Trot 8K race on Thanksgiving morning.  This was my 4th Trot and my last if nothing changes. 13,000 people register for this race and more and more of them are walking it rather than running it.  I think that's great.  Except it's a RACE.  And they pay no attention to the runners.  They walk in front and stop wherever.  It's just not fun anymore.  Nor is it safe.  I can't afford to get hurt because of some oblivious walker.  I didn't see any of the costumes.  I didn't see any of my friends who came to cheer.  I was too busy looking out for walkers.  Never mind what happened at the finish line.  Oh, that's right.  We couldn't get to the finish line!!  Everyone crossed the finish line and stopped, so there was a back up and it took more than a minute to actually cross.  A minute is a lot when you're racing!  If they don't do something different with the walkers, I am done.  It's just not fun or safe.

December brought my birthday and snow, snow and more snow.  I seriously have never seen so much snow at one time!  I got home from work and the snow in the driveway was up to the hood of my car.  And I drive a small SUV!  But I went for it anyway, and that car made it all the way into the garage!  I have no idea how much snow I plowed into the garage, but, oh well!  I wish someone had been there to take a picture of me with snow up to my crotch!  It was ridiculous!  And then the poor dogs didn't know what to do or where to go!  I didn't know what to tell them.  Craziness!  We ended the year in Florida and then in North Carolina for Candace and Brian's wedding.  Good times!

2013 saw a lot of running.  A few PRs.  I met my goal of 500 running miles with 5 days to spare.  I also met my goal of 250 bike miles back in June.  And then I didn't touch my bike again for the rest of the year.  I did not meet my goal of reading 100 books.  I missed it by 23.  I guess I was in reading rut.  I didn't like a lot of what I did read, so I was excited to read anything else!

I don't know what 2014 will bring.  I do not have a mileage goal for running or biking this year.  Since I've discovered my love for half marathons, I'm intrigued by a half marathon a month.  It will be difficult living where I live.  There just isn't any half marathons around in January or February (or July, November and December)!  I have limited time and $$$ for destination races, but I'll do my best.  I may just have to aim for 12 half marathons in the calendar year and see how that goes.  As far as biking, I can't to the Ride for Roswell this year because it falls the same day as one of my half marathons.  But I'd like to get out and do more leisurely riding this year.  I lowered by reading goal for the year.  I'm aiming for 75 books.  So far, I've liked what I've started with.  I hope it continues!

What about you?  Do you have any goals for 2014?

2013 in Review Part 1

We're 4 days into the new year and I've been thinking about 2013.  It wasn't a terrible year.  It wasn't a great year either. But overall, I can't complain!

January wasn't anything special.

February was ok.  I presented in front of the board of education at my district.  I had previously been warned that my tenure was on the line.  Apparently some teachers in my building thought I was worthless and went to the superintendent to voice their concern.  Funny that they never came to ME with any problems they had.  So I had to fight for my job and show them just what I do and how valuable I am.

In March, the superintendent finally called me in for a meeting.  Apparently she didn't want to not give me tenure.  But she didn't know me well enough to give me tenure.  So she started asking all these questions about what I do for the district and what I do to further my library knowledge.  This is when I leaned that either my principal had done nothing to fight for me or the superintendent just didn't care for him.  I figure she just didn't care for him.  The meeting ended with her telling me she was going to be around.

And she was.  She came in and observed me with 2 classes.  She didn't want to see my plan book or anything else.  Came back later in the afternoon and told me she would recommend me for tenure.  What??  After all that? Anyway, until it was actually approved by the board, my stress wasn't over!

End of March brought the death of a friend.  It was very sudden and unexpected.  She wasn't a close friend, but I liked her a lot.  I had seen her a few weeks before and we had talked about getting together for a dinner date.  I was looking forward to that.  I still think of her often.

April was still a lot of nothing.  Boot camp, running and biking.  Biking was happening a lot more.  I had registered for the 45 mile Ride for Roswell at the end of June and I had never biked much more than 30 miles before!

May brought my final portfolio presentation at school and the faculty play.  We did Jack and the Beanstalk Bandstand.  I was Duck Clark.  It was as ridiculous as it sounds, but the kids loved it and it was fun!

May also brought my first 5K of the season.  I had been meaning to do the Holland Tulip Festival 5K for years, but the weather was always crap.  Well, the weather was crap, but I still went and did it.  And I set a 5K PR.  I also participated in the Buffalo Marathon Relay with 3 ladies I hardly knew!  I ran the 3rd leg, which was about 6.25 miles.  It was colder than usual but an experience I'd repeat!  And I also started participating in Ride for Roswell training rides.  Finished the month with the Gay 5K.  No PR, but a ton of fun!

June brought the end of school, more biking and another 5K PR.  This time in the Girls on the Run 5K.  The Ride for Roswell was great.  I had no problem with the distance.  It was fun and I'd do it again!

 

June also brought a seizure for Barkley.  Rushed him to the emergency vet.  Never did I think he would go before Jeter and I was almost certain he wasn't going to make it.  By the time we got to the vet, he was starting to come around.  Because no one witnessed what actually happened, the vet can't say for certain, but because of how he was acting after the fact, a seizure was assumed.  It took him a few days to return to normal and all his tests were normal, so no idea what caused it.  He has not had another.

 

Ended June with a trip to Charlotte.  Hadn't been in more than 3 years!  So good to see all my friends!!  It was hot and seemed to rain any time Stephie and I planned outdoor fun!  So we went shopping.  And out to eat.  A lot!



Check tomorrow for the last half of 2013 in review!