BFTP: Do you have groupies?
Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 05:47AM Groupie [noun] 1: a fan of a rock group who usually follows the group around on concert tours; 2: an admirer of a celebrity who attends as many of his or her public appearances as possible; 3: enthusiast, aficionado <a political groupie> from Merriam-Webster.com
Groupies just aren't for rock stars. Librarians and tech integration specialists need them too.
This was sent to me by a classroom teacher in our district:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
The week before Christmas, four students from my classroom were selected to spend a week studying any topic they chose. They were excused from Reading and Grammar for one week and allowed to work on their project. They also had access to the library and the internet.
Yesterday, the first child presented her report on Popcorn. I have attached her presentation to this email. I want to draw your attention to the professional look, pictures that reflect the text, the citation, grammar and spelling of this piece.
I wish to thank the media curriculum team and my media specialist for teaching Powerpoint to my students. I also want to express my appreciation to my media specialist for allowing my students to present their power point presentations to their classmates. This procedure allowed my student to successfully complete a very enjoyable and informative lesson on her own. I did not assist with anything. She knew what to do.
Please consider me an advocate for the importance of having a media specialist within a school.
Sincerely,
MAPS Elementary Teacher
This library media specialist has a groupie - some one who is an ardent fan of her work, her abilities, and her vision. Someone who is so appreciative of the librarian's work that she will have an ally when the next round of budget cuts come.
We all need groupies. How do you cultivate them? How do you keep them? How many do you need?
What do you do that makes you a rock star in the eyes of your students or staff?
Reader Comments (5)
We have a spirit week here at John Cooper each year. One of the proposed theme days was "Dress as your Favorite Teacher". Unfortunately it was officially changed as some teachers were concerned about students being "unprofessional". Unknown to me there were about eight students who decided to dress as me anyway - they all got pretty good, all the way down to the kakhi pants and short sleeve shirt. Each of them found a name tag and called each other Mr. Gorman all day.
Best day ever...
Kenn,
Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, I think the expression goes! Be flattered!
Doug
Sometimes, teachers come to me in a panic because they need something at the last minute. Or they need a favor that would require me to bend the library rules/ policies. When I can, I try to fulfill their requests, and they are always very grateful. It's good to be consistent with rules, but sometimes you need to be empathetic and judge requests on a case by case basis. Teachers really appreciate that!
Thank you Mirele, for the good comment. I am guessing you have plenty of groupies with your service ethic.
All the best,
Doug​
I would say that each of us has to be a groupie. I remember myself teenager (what btw was the most stupid and shameful period in my life) but I with my friends was a groupie of one rock band and we were single-hearted. If everyone will be a groupie of favorite pursuits or job and treat it with such dedication than it will be amazing. Maybe it can make fewer people go every day to work which they just hate https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/09/trails-of-2016-job-low-satisfaction-company-short-termism.
Btw, one of my friends was a groupie of one famous band and they took him to their team and now he have a great career in show business! So wish everyone have a groupie and be a groupie (in a reasonable sense)! I mean, do not try to stalk RHCP in their red hot chili peppers tour http://livetourtickets.com/red-hot-chili-peppers-2017-tour-tickets/, they still will not take you to the team as a guitarist lol.
And personally for me is enough one perfect groupie who always will believe in me and cheer me up! I think we all have someone like that ;)