Laura Gatling-Wright- Cistrus District 2
1. Please share your thoughts related to the importance of the school library/media center and the role of a certified, trained librarian/media specialist in schools.
As someone deeply committed to education and reading, I recognize the essential role that school libraries and trained librarians play in our students' learning journey. As a certified PreK-12 Media Specialist and an educator with 15 years of experience, I have seen firsthand how school libraries and media centers foster a love of reading and support academic achievement. Libraries provide access to a wide range of resources beyond textbooks, enhancing both academic performance and a passion for reading. Certified librarians are essential in curating balanced and varied collections that meet students' educational and developmental needs. They collaborate with teachers to support curriculum goals, teach critical research and digital literacy skills, and integrate technology into learning. Investing in our school libraries ensures that students have the necessary resources and guidance to excel academically and personally.
2. Florida school libraries/media centers have always supported parents' rights to direct their students' education. How would you balance parental rights and student access to library materials, especially given that some books trigger different reactions among parents, all of whom deserve rights?
Balancing parental rights with student access to library materials requires a thoughtful approach. I believe in respecting parents' rights to guide their children's education while also ensuring that students have access to a broad range of materials that support their intellectual and emotional development. Open communication with parents is key. By providing clear information about the educational value of library materials and offering opt-out options for specific books, we can address parental concerns without limiting resources for other students. It's about finding a balance that respects individual choices and promotes a rich learning environment for all students.
3. Students have access to reading material through captive classroom instruction, read-alouds and novel studies, as well as through self-selection in libraries where they choose their own book. How would you differentiate between the appropriateness of reading material in a captive classroom vs. self-selection in the school library?
In a classroom setting where reading material is assigned, it's crucial to select books that are suitable for the entire class, taking into account developmental stages, cultural sensitivity, and educational objectives. These choices should align with the curriculum and consider the backgrounds of all students. Conversely, the school library encourages self-selection, allowing students the freedom to explore their interests and select books that personally resonate with them. While librarians play a key role in guiding students towards appropriate and valuable materials, it's equally important to provide a varied collection that meets different preferences and supports a passion for reading and independent exploration.
4. As written in Florida House Bill 1069, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due to content" deemed unsuitable as defined in the bill, the school district must discontinue use of the material. If a reader is denied, explain why you would interpret the law by supporting or opposing a fair and public review of the book, as outlined in each district's objection policy.
House Bill 1069 affirms parental rights to review and object to educational materials. If a parent's request to read passages from a book is denied, it is crucial to uphold a fair and transparent review process, as outlined in the district’s objection policy. This process should involve educators, parents, and library professionals to ensure decisions benefit students' education and growth. I support a balanced approach that respects parental concerns while also considering the educational value of the material and meeting the diverse needs of students. Public reviews help maintain transparency and foster community trust.
As someone deeply committed to education and reading, I recognize the essential role that school libraries and trained librarians play in our students' learning journey. As a certified PreK-12 Media Specialist and an educator with 15 years of experience, I have seen firsthand how school libraries and media centers foster a love of reading and support academic achievement. Libraries provide access to a wide range of resources beyond textbooks, enhancing both academic performance and a passion for reading. Certified librarians are essential in curating balanced and varied collections that meet students' educational and developmental needs. They collaborate with teachers to support curriculum goals, teach critical research and digital literacy skills, and integrate technology into learning. Investing in our school libraries ensures that students have the necessary resources and guidance to excel academically and personally.
2. Florida school libraries/media centers have always supported parents' rights to direct their students' education. How would you balance parental rights and student access to library materials, especially given that some books trigger different reactions among parents, all of whom deserve rights?
Balancing parental rights with student access to library materials requires a thoughtful approach. I believe in respecting parents' rights to guide their children's education while also ensuring that students have access to a broad range of materials that support their intellectual and emotional development. Open communication with parents is key. By providing clear information about the educational value of library materials and offering opt-out options for specific books, we can address parental concerns without limiting resources for other students. It's about finding a balance that respects individual choices and promotes a rich learning environment for all students.
3. Students have access to reading material through captive classroom instruction, read-alouds and novel studies, as well as through self-selection in libraries where they choose their own book. How would you differentiate between the appropriateness of reading material in a captive classroom vs. self-selection in the school library?
In a classroom setting where reading material is assigned, it's crucial to select books that are suitable for the entire class, taking into account developmental stages, cultural sensitivity, and educational objectives. These choices should align with the curriculum and consider the backgrounds of all students. Conversely, the school library encourages self-selection, allowing students the freedom to explore their interests and select books that personally resonate with them. While librarians play a key role in guiding students towards appropriate and valuable materials, it's equally important to provide a varied collection that meets different preferences and supports a passion for reading and independent exploration.
4. As written in Florida House Bill 1069, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due to content" deemed unsuitable as defined in the bill, the school district must discontinue use of the material. If a reader is denied, explain why you would interpret the law by supporting or opposing a fair and public review of the book, as outlined in each district's objection policy.
House Bill 1069 affirms parental rights to review and object to educational materials. If a parent's request to read passages from a book is denied, it is crucial to uphold a fair and transparent review process, as outlined in the district’s objection policy. This process should involve educators, parents, and library professionals to ensure decisions benefit students' education and growth. I support a balanced approach that respects parental concerns while also considering the educational value of the material and meeting the diverse needs of students. Public reviews help maintain transparency and foster community trust.