outreach program to push into her classroom. Over the years, she recalls a number of unique activities she’ s done with the library, from excavating gems, working with an earthquake simulator, and STEM activities with batteries and circuits. In recent instances, they’ ve come into her classroom to review literary elements in novels, integrating games and competition to increase student engagement in the activity.
Beyond in-class activities, the library runs after-school programs with the district, assists with the summer literacy program, and hosts a number of parent and student engagement events, like a literacy night split into unique stations and staffed with high school student volunteers, who work with elementary-aged students.
“ They’ re a huge district resource. They can come in and have experience working with children. Having someone else present material to them, it’ s a nice break for the kids,” said Robbins.
“ It’ s their love of what they do that sticks out. Their ability to understand different groups of kids is a big part too. They seem to just have a really deep understanding of the community that they actually serve. They tailor the programs to meet the needs of the kids. We really collaborate well together.”
Beyond their outreach into classrooms, the library acts as an additional resource for the district, as a whole. Some teachers will work hand in hand with the library, as Benson and her crew will tailor books and materials for a lesson or unit. As student population demographics
change, Benson and her crew are there to assist with additional resources and materials, too, like a book in an ESL student’ s first language, so that they can actively and confidently participate in classroom discussions.
“ It’ s been very nice because our libraries don’ t have everything, and our needs are constantly changing. With them being so close and having a good relationship, we can share materials back and forth and it opens more opportunities for our students and our teachers,” said district Library Media Specialist, Mike Krestar.
“ It’ s nice to have the extra layer of support and it’ s nice for kids to know that when they’ re done here, there’ s more. There’ s other libraries outside of Gateway that are available and accessible and free.”
For Benson’ s department and the Gateway School District, the collective goal is to create lifelong readers. Fostering a love for reading— as Benson, Krestar, and Robbins are quick to point out— is key to other related skills, like spelling, speaking, and writing.
If Benson can help push students forward to that goal, she knows she’ s done her job well.
“ When we walk into the classroom and see how excited a kid will get to listen to a story, it just gives them that sense of partnership and community. They’ re all sitting together and listening. They get super excited,” said Benson.
“ Going into the schools is a way to make sure that everything’ s on an even keel and inclusive, that nobody is left out. It gives kids a lot of confidence.” ateway
GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT
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