Collaborating in a School with No Library

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Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2019 Issue

By Lisa Gay-Milliken

Do you remember the first time you entered the school library as a child? I do. There were books everywhere. The librarian told me that I could borrow any of the books and take them home. Amazing! This excitement continued throughout the years. I couldn’t wait for book fairs. I joined the audio-visual club. I still was able to check out as many books as I wanted.

Fast-forward 16 years later. I accepted my first teaching position. I was a special education teacher in a public high school and there was a beautiful school library. The librarian, Cleo, was remarkable. I fondly remember her creating a special bookshelf for my students who were significantly challenged, to assist them in finding books easily. It was a rewarding 15 years with Cleo; therefore, I assumed that all students and teachers have similar experiences.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. There is no library in my current school.

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Lisa Gay-Milliken taught high school special education in Bridgewater, VA, for 16 years. Currently, she is an administrator in a private day school for students with disabilities and a graduate student in the School Library Program at Old Dominion University. She has a BA in Special Education and an MEd in Special Education and Education Administration.

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Lisa Gay-Milliken
Lisa Gay-Milliken
Lisa Gay-Milliken taught high school special education in Bridgewater, VA, for 16 years. Currently, she is an administrator in a private day school for students with disabilities and a graduate student in the School Library Program at Old Dominion University. She has a BA in Special Education and an MEd in Special Education and Education Administration.

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