Better late than never, right? I apologize for not being with you all at the start of the school year, but I am here now and want to jump-start our literacy programs for the 2021-22 academic year! I promise to keep the learning fun, exciting and challenging in this monthly newsletter and definitely on campus. Oh and by the way...I'm a Crotalus! But in all fairness, I belong to all of you as your librarian! Let's get this party started! :)

I wouldn't be a librarian had it not been for 3 influential librarians in my life. The 1st librarian gave me a safe place to exist, when I thought my world collapsed and my parents divorced when I was 8 y/o. The 2nd librarian offered me resources like an air mattress, household items and where a job-fair took place after my own divorce. The 3rd librarian submitted my name for a scholarship to get my Masters in Library Science. There simply wouldn't be an "Awaken Librarian" (my blog name & Twitter handle) without influential librarians personally effecting a change in my life. Who are influential educators in your life? Feel free to share with me.

This excerpt comes from the book, We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success by The Three Doctors (Drs. Sampson Davis, Geroge Jenkins and Rameck Hunt) with Sharon M. Draper.

Teachers: feel free to use this brief audio excerpt as a writing reflection activity. They can journal about influential educators in their lives.

This is an excellent book to connect with our kiddos, as it covers everything from peer pressure, losing loved ones and persistence in achieving goals. I have a class set of 30 books and would love to co-teach with you and your students. Reserve a time with me in the library here.

Email: eboni.darnell@pfisd.net
Website: www.awakenlibrarian.com
Location: 12900 Dessau Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-594-2671
Twitter: @AwakenLibrarian