Mentoring for New Teacher Librarians: How to find and build a network of trust

By Irene Ip Kang

In August 2005, I stepped into my new classroom for the school year: the library. I was ecstatic. I envisioned the library being a lively space, with students and teachers learning and working together. I imagined reading programs coming alive, authors visiting our school, and students of all grades visiting the library at every opportunity. It was heavenly.

As a teacher entering into a new role, I had a vision of what I hoped to accomplish. However, the reality was often far from the picture I had painted in my mind. Although I had taught primary grades for several years,entering this new role put me back in the position of a new and struggling teacher.