Jana Jordan

FRIT 7734
Dr. Jones

Secondary Site Interview with High School Media Specialist

Q: Name of media specialist being interviewed.
A: Mrs. Matia Edwards

Q: Name of School where the media specialist is employed.

A: Griffin High School.

Q: How long have you been a media specialist?

A: 4 years

Q: How long were you a classroom teacher before becoming a media specialist?
A: I never taught in a classroom.

Q: How have your past job experiences prepared you, directly or indirectly, for this position?
A: I currently hold two Master Degrees-one in Business and one in Human Resources.
My Master’s in Business is from Keller Graduate School. My Master’s in Human
Resources is from Plymouth State University. My plan was get into organizational
development. I wanted to create a study to determine how the morale and overall culture
of a school is obtained; what would cause people to leave or stay in a place of
employment. I just never fully pursued in that direction. I am still very interested, though.
Presently, I am enjoying the ride in education as the Media Specialist.

Q: Why did you choose to pursue a degree to become a school library media specialist?
A: I was actually an editor prior to becoming a Media Specialist. This opportunity
presented itself when my husband’s job required us to move and I went for it. Now, as a
mother, I am so happy with the decision I made to switch careers.

Q: What educational preparation have you had for being a school librarian? What was your
experience with that? What didn’t you learn in school that you wish you had?
A: I received my Media Specialist certification by taking the GACE. I often times wish I
had gone to school for School Library Media. This would have prevented me from
teaching myself everything I needed to know during my first year in the profession.

Q: What experience have you had with cooperative program planning? with cooperative
teaching?
A: I haven’t had many opportunities post COVID with cooperative program planning and
teaching, however, I have had prior experience. In cooperative teaching, both me and a
classroom teacher, were teaching the same content at the same time, filling in each
other’s gaps. This is also called tag team teaching. This approach is very complex but can
Jana Jordan
FRIT 7734
Dr. Jones

Secondary Site Interview with High School Media Specialist

has been proven effective, especially at the secondary level. This of course will involve
adequate planning amongst the team of co-teachers.

Q: How would you go about developing a strong team approach with other teachers? How
would you get reluctant teachers to utilize the library?
A: It all boils down to the energy you put out. Good Vibes Only, I always say. As the
Media Specialist, you are the heart of the school. Therefore, you are required to
communicate with every teacher, scholar, and member of admin. I would say just letting
them know you are there for them, to help in any way possible builds a strong rapport.
With rapport you build a solid foundation to any team. Getting reluctant teachers to
utilize the library wouldn’t be any issue. However, if for some reason it is, I see myself
planning different events such as the Book Fair, or the purchase of new resources and
books, to encourage students and their teachers to want to visit the Media Center
frequently.

Q: How do you see the role of the library in the overall reading program of the school?
A: A huge role…the biggest role! The school library is a classroom and a welcoming
place of learning. Vitally important is the vision of the library as a classroom and a
welcoming place of learning. ... Both the library and the teacher librarian are recognized
as playing a critical role in supporting the educational outcomes of the school.

Q: How would you go about: (a) promoting appreciation and interest in the use of resource
center materials? (b) promoting storytelling, story reading, book talks, and other resource
center programs?
A: I use school social media platforms, and send school emails to teachers and parents
promoting media center resources. I would also offer incentives for students who meet
reading goals. For book talks, I would plan to host an event with an author at the school.
We had an author last year to visit GHS and talk about her work and ambition and the
kids seemed to enjoy having her.

Q: What is your experience in leading professional development? Especially in leading

technology-related professional development?
A: I have not led any PD.

Q: How do you ensure your own continued professional growth? In what areas do you feel
you would like to develop your professional skills and knowledge further?
A:   I am pursuing an EdS in instructional technology and plan on attending RESA
technology-related PD.  
Jana Jordan
FRIT 7734
Dr. Jones

Secondary Site Interview with High School Media Specialist

Q: Describe how you will create an inclusive space where diversity and equity are valued by
all learners in the school community.
A: Great question.  It's important to me to ensure that the books on our shelves reflect the
cultures and the faces of our students.  By having multi-cultural books in the media center, I hope
that students realize that GHS is focused on celebrating diversity and recognizing their cultures.

Q: How do you ensure that you have appropriate resources for all learners in your school?
How do you include reading and instructional materials in both print and digital formats that
represent multiple perspectives and varying points of view?
A: At the beginning of the year, I share out a Reading Interest Inventory for faculty and
scholars. Within this survey, I am able to ensure I have engaging and appropriate reading
materials and resources for the entire school. As far as providing both print and digital
formats of instructional material, I just do my research to find good credible sources. Due
to COVID-19, it is so much easier to find effective digital resources. We have several
eBooks and other instructional material for our scholars that also have the option to be
viewed digitally. I pride myself on diversifying our Media Center much more than when I
arrived. While diversifying, it allowed me to supply varying points of view.