Compatencies, Curate with Wendy at Drayton Hall Elementary

 Wendy Taylor has traveled the world and has since made her home here in Charleston South Carolina.  She has worked hard to curate a collection and resources that will meet the needs of her community.   Having a Anne of Green Gables Room in her house with so many trinkets and memorabilia she is brought back to the world that had been created.   Her attention to detail has also since worked to teach her students the same attention to detail.   

She has worked with teachers to make sure the resources are meeting the needs of the students and them.  Because the district has moved to EL curriculum it was important for her to understand it well to offer supplementary texts and resources that will aid in a more authentic experience.   

When she noticed that her students were gravitating towards graphic novels she partnered with a local comic book store to bolster her periodicals,  spending a portion of her yearly monies to getting new and current comics.  They fly out of the media center and she is supporting local business.    

Working on curating skills with students by having them gather and organize information by theme or book is something that she always spends time with.  Pairing this with read alouds of both fiction and non-fiction help her give a more well rounded view of the Media Center to the students.   

One of her favorite activities that she and her students take part in is the battle of the books.  Taylor works hard to offer a collection that is complete and has the interested students help find information and organize it  to help the cause.    

A challenge to this is her understanding of social media and the students experience with it.  In a way it could be used as a tool to help students understand the importance of organization with n that world and Taylor is continuing to work on that.   It is something that I would like to get better at as well.  

Overall using a passion to guide your journey with your program is important.