Barrow Elementary's Andy Plemmons is Librarian of the Year Finalist

Barrow Elementary School Media Specialist Andy Plemmons has been named a finalist for School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year, sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing.

Commendations were given to only three librarians in the U.S., and this inaugural year of the program is designed to honor K-12 school library professionals for outstanding achievement and the exemplary use of digital tools and fostering a love of reading among students.

“Mr. Plemmons has revolutionized the way our media center is used, transformed the way our teachers instruct and changed the way our students interact with others in our global society,” said Principal Ellen Sabatini. “In addition, he takes the time to get to know all 535 students so that when they come to the library, he can help them find that ‘just right’ book.”

Plemmons, also a Google Certified Teacher, was honored at this national level due to his highly innovative work in the school’s media center. He believes that, “We take risks, fail and use that failure to press forward – all the while sharing our risk-taking and creations with the world.” Some examples of creative work taking place in the media center under his leadership include:

• Pre-K students used Storybird to create digital narratives.
• Kindergartners used Chromville to augment reality and inspire narrative writing. They also used Padlet to write and collaborate with students from other states.
• 1st Graders used Google Earth to preview a walking field trip.
• 2nd Graders created a black history campaign using Flipgrid, Smore and social media, and held a Skype celebration with the developers.
• 3rd Graders studied the art of Jerry Pinkney, took a field trip to the High Museum and used iMovie to publish their own versions of folktales. They also designed and printed 3D gems after a study of rocks and minerals in conjunction with Aurum Studios.
• 4th Graders created multiple digital projects in an online museum that tied into social studies standards.
• 5th Graders experienced the events of 9/11 through a day-long exploration using a variety of texts and collaborated on a video with an elementary school in California.
• Students participated in the nationwide Hour of Code and with the use of Google Hangout, Plemmons collaborated with librarians in five states to plan the day.
• Students participated in World Read Aloud Day, Poem in Your Pocket Day and more through the use of Skype and Google Hangout.

The school was also one of the featured schools for the 2012 Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Bus Tour, due to Plemmons’ leadership in the exemplary use of technology. He is also a past recipient of the Foundation for Excellence’s Kathryn H. Hugh Instructional Leadership Award.

As a School Librarian of the Year finalist, Plemmons will receive $500 in Scholastic Library Publishing materials of his choosing, and is featured in the September 2014 issue of School Library Journal.

“Andy Plemmons is an instructional leader in our district, state and nation. He sets a high standard, and seamlessly blends innovative digital learning environments with ensuring he has a personal relationship with each child. That’s what education today is all about,” said Superintendent Philip D. Lanoue.

Source: Clarke County School District press release