The Trapped Librarian

Make your library the center of your school

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Books for Kids
    • Bulletin Boards and Displays
    • FUN!
    • Helpful Hints
    • Library Advocacy
    • Life
    • Organize It!
    • School Library
    • Technology
    • TPT
  • Shop
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / School Library / Be the Light!

September 8, 2019 by: Laura

Be the Light!

Last Updated on August 16, 2024 by Laura

In the spring of 2019, I was chosen by the teachers in my school district as the educator of the year. It was a tremendous honor that came with a great opportunity and responsibility. I was to speak in front of all of the members of our school district at our opening convocation in August. As I considered what I would say, I decided I wanted my words to be uplifting – I wanted to encourage them to “Be the Light” for their students and for one another. I’d like to share my message with you in the hopes that I might encourage you too. How can you be the light in your school community?

Every morning of the school year, I get to witness something truly magical.  The library at my school is in the center of 9 classrooms, and when the morning bell rings to start the day, the classroom teachers come out into the library to greet their students.  Smiles and warm “hellos” fill the space…  “How are you today?” “How was your game last night?” “Did you like the way that book turned out?” Students are often eager to share a story with their teacher of something that has occurred in their lives since they’ve last seen one another.  More than once, I’ve noticed a caring teacher spot someone who looks like they’re having a rough start to their day and reach out to give some extra understanding and reassurance. 

Welcome Be the Light
Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash

What’s happening here?  These educators are showering our students with love, a sense of safety and belonging.  They’re shining light into their lives and giving them a chance to start their day on a positive note.  They’re making connections, building relationships.  This is where the magic happens!  Without these connections, that belonging, that feeling of mattering, there won’t be much learning going on. 

I’m well aware that this magic is not just happening each day in my library.  I’ve walked through the other parts of our school and witnessed the same love and care and light filling our hallways and surrounding our students.  Enveloping them as they walk through their classroom doors – giving each young person the best possible chance for success as they start the school day.  It’s a unifying atmosphere in our school!

I know you’re all doing this too – in your own way, in your own buildings, in your own school communities, you are routinely striving to make those important connections with your students.  You’re showing them your love and care in your words and your actions, you are letting each one of them know they are important.  You are the light for your students!

Light Bulb Be the Light
http://mrg.bz/BWIk8d

I am so proud to be part of this – part of this team of educators.  Where we shower light and love on our students, and make their social and emotional well-being a priority, because we know (as the research so clearly tells us) there is no learning without relationships. 

I like to think I know something about how our students feel when we go out of our way to show our love and care for them.  You see, I’ve been showered with the same light and love and confidence at a very dark time in my life.

Four years ago at this time I was in the middle of a health nightmare.  Just a couple of weeks into the school year I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I know many of you have faced similar health crises yourself, or alongside a loved one, so you can relate to the fear and uncertainty I felt. 

Going through something like this can make you feel hopeless, but so many people reached out to lighten my load, to shine light and love into my life.  Lovingly prepared meals were delivered to our home every week.  I received positive, encouraging text messages, emails, phone calls, and cards and letters every single day.

A friend once asked me what my biggest takeaway or surprising realization was from my experience as a cancer patient.  I didn’t really have to think much about my answer.   I was, and still am, completely amazed at the powerful effect those cards and letters, emails and text messages, phone calls, visits and home cooked meals had on me, on my heart and my spirit.  I was lifted up, given hope, bathed in the light of positivity.  The light and love that was shared with me helped me to feel optimistic and strong at a time when I could have felt so lost and weak.

So, I do know how it feels to be showered with light and love and positivity, like we do for our students.  This experience has caused me to reflect many times on how powerful this influence can be for adults too.    My personal challenge was evident, but we all have struggles that we may keep very private.  There is a saying “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” (As a librarian, I can’t resist the need to stop here to tell you… this saying has been attributed to two people:  Plato and Ian Maclaren.  I couldn’t stand it if someone would accuse me of not citing my sources!!)

“Be Kind.  For everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  None of us are immune to heartache, whether it’s over a serious illness or injury, the loss of a loved one, financial hardship, worry about our own children, loneliness, or uncertainty about our future.  And let’s not forget the struggles and stresses that come with our profession!  Kind words and encouragement, a listening ear, a respectfully expressed difference of opinion, a smile, or a helping hand from a colleague can make all the difference. 

I know you’re already looking out for one another in many ways – educators are, by nature, very caring humans after all.  I hope my experience might encourage us to reach out to one another even more.  We are stronger together.  When we take the time to take care of one another, to believe the best of one another, we make our entire team better for our students and ourselves.

I want to encourage you to “Be the Light.”  I want you to know that you ARE the light – WE are the light! I hope you let your light shine bright this year – for your students, your colleagues, and yourself. 

You can see the message I recorded for my colleagues here:

If you would like a copy of the Be the Light Bookmark that I talk about in the video, you can download it for free! Copy it on card stock and share with your colleagues!

Thank YOU for all you do for your students and your colleagues! How can you “Be the Light” this year?

You ARE the light!

  • TPT Tips for School Librarians
    Have a Spooktacular Time with Halloween Storytime!

    Comments

    1. Molly Allen says

      September 8, 2019 at 4:04 PM

      This is perfect! Congratulations on this honor.

      • trappedlib says

        September 8, 2019 at 9:07 PM

        Thank you Molly!!

    2. Jane says

      September 30, 2019 at 4:09 AM

      Thank you for this wonderful message. I’m thankful for your encouraging words to be the light, not just to our students, but to each other because we do need to support each other and build each other up.

      • Laura says

        April 16, 2020 at 9:16 PM

        I couldn’t agree with you more, Jane! Thank you!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Past Posts

    Categories

    Find it Fast

    Books for Kids Bulletin Boards and Displays Collaboration Distance Learning Freebies FUN! Helpful Hints Inspiration Library Advocacy Library Decor Library Events Library Lessons Library Management Life Organize It! Professional Development Remote Learning Research School Library Seasonal Technology Tech Tips Test Prep TPT Uncategorized

    TPT Shop

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    Instagram

    thetrappedlibrarian

    📚 Elementary School Librarian
    🌟 NBCT 2011
    👩🏻‍🏫 Teacher Author
    Blog: trappedlibrarian.org

    ☀️ This summer, I’m updating my professional ☀️ This summer, I’m updating my professional development series just for school librarians. Whether you’re ready to recharge, reflect, or get inspired for next year, these self-paced trainings are made with YOU in mind—and they’re coming soon!

✅ Starting June 1
✅ Free updates if you already own the bundle
✅ New modules released weekly

Visit the blog to learn more and join the list so you don’t miss the launch (and the discounts!).
>>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/professional-development-school-librarians/
    😎 Add some fun to your end of the year library 😎 Add some fun to your end of the year library lessons with these Summer Bookmarks! Your students will love the summer jokes, summer greetings, and cute characters. Encourage summer reading and spread some end of the year fun in your elementary library or classroom.

✅ 12 Summer Jokes
✅ 8 Summer Slogans
⭐️ All in full color
⭐️ All in black and white

🙌 Use in a coloring center or print the colored versions for an end of the year gift! 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Bookmarks-Summer-Reading-Bookmarks-9514093?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=TL%20Summer%20Bookmarks%20FB
    Still in school?? ☀️ Grab these fun Summer Boo Still in school??
☀️
Grab these fun Summer Bookmarks to send home with your students!

⭐️ 12 jokes
⭐️ 8 greetings

Full color and black & white options included - great for early finishers or a coloring center! OR print the color version for an end of the year gift!

https://bit.ly/3pvncvB
    National Scavenger Hunt Day is May 24.... It's tim National Scavenger Hunt Day is May 24.... It's time to add some adventure to your library or classroom! 🕵️‍♂️
My FREE School Supplies Scavenger Hunt gets little learners exploring with a purpose.
Perfect after book checkout or anytime you need a quick, meaningful activity!

➡️ Get it now at the SmartBio link! 

#ElementaryLibrary #LibraryLessons #LibraryActivities #SchoolLibrarian #KindergartenTeacher #FirstGradeTeacher #TeacherFreebies #ActiveLearning #MovementInTheClassroom #ScavengerHuntFun
    ☀️ 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 ☀️ 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲—and keep kids reading all summer long! 📖 The latest 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 has tips, freebies, booklists, and resources to make it happen.

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀: 
 ✅ Scavenger Hunt Day ideas
 ✅ LOTS of recommended books
 ✅ Summer-themed activities
 ✅ PD resources to grow your library game

🌞 𝗧𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼 to read it all! 
 #libraryhelpersnewsletter #schoollibrarians #librariansofig #librariansofinstagram #librarymediaspecialist #schoollibrary #schoollibrarian #elementarylibrary #teacherlibrarian #elementarylibrarian
    📚 Do your library books get lonely sitting on t 📚 Do your library books get lonely sitting on the shelves during the summer break?⁣⁣

😃 Why not let your students check out a few to read while school's out?⁣⁣

✅ This Summer Book Checkout Contract is part of my Summer Reading Kit. ⁣⁣

➡ Grab it here >>>> https://bit.ly/3GKoK9x
    ⭐️ NEW PRODUCT!! ⭐️ Half price for 48 hour ⭐️ NEW PRODUCT!! ⭐️ Half price for 48 hours!
This new Summer Storytime Kit has fun activities for your K-2 classes. Perfect for end of the year library lessons or your summer library program!

✅ Grab it at the lowest price today - link in SmartBio!

#summerreading #elementarylibrary #librarymediaspecialist #elementarylibrarian #schoollibrary #schoollibrarian #tpt #elementarylibraryfun #schoollibrarians #teacherspayteachers
    𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢!! 🌟 This fun Summer BINGO 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗢!!

🌟 This fun Summer BINGO challenge is included in my Summer Reading Bulletin Board Activity Kit.

🤩 Grab it and promote summer reading in your classes next week!

➡️ https://bit.ly/3GKoK9x

 #summerreading #elementarylibrary #librariansofinstagram #teacherlibrarian #librarymediaspecialist #elementarylibrarian #schoollibrary #tpt #schoollibrarian #librariansofig #teacherspayteachers #schoollibrarians
    ☀️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 is a double issue for May AND June, so we've added some 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 to see you through to the end, and give you a head start on summer!

💛 You'll find lots of ideas for summer reading, end of the year games, motivating ideas for book returns, and more. 𝗣𝗟𝗨𝗦 20 “𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆” ideas and a yummy recipe for Lunch Lady Brownies! 

This month I'm sharing some of my best ideas for May and June:
☀️ A value-packed 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲
☀️ A fun 𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 Library Catalog Practice
☀️ My new 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 School Supplies Scavenger Hunt
☀️ 3 forthcoming books to add to your purchase list for next year
☀️ AND a sneak peak into my summer project (𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗗 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿!)

𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 >>>>> click “𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿” at the link in bio.

 #schoollibrarians #librariansofig #schoollibrarian #schoollibrary #librariansofinstagram #libraryhelpersnewsletter #elementarylibrary #teacherlibrarian #librarymediaspecialist #elementarylibrarian
    Follow on Instagram
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • Privacy Policy

    © 2025 // Design by Laugh Eat Learn // Theme by Pretty Darn Cute Design