Last Times at Normal U-High

Last Times at Normal U-High

Last times, new beginnings, and everything in between. Janette and Leah visit University High School for a behind-the-scenes look at a standout school library and the people who bring it to life: librarian Amy Brokaw and students Suhn and Anuraag. Podcast's out for summer! We'll be back in August 🎙️✨ Relevant Links: Kate McDowell [https://ischool.illinois.edu/people/kate-mcdowell] Sora Audiobooks/eBooks [https://soraapp.com/welcome] SWANK K-12 (check your system's discounts first!) [https://www.swank.com/k-12-streaming/] Live in the Lab Schools Podcast [https://sites.google.com/metcalf.illinoisstate.edu/liveinthelabschools/home] iSAIL Standards [https://aisled.org/isail/] AISLE Exemplary School Award [https://aisled.org/aisle-exemplary-school-library-award/] The Immigration Project [https://www.immigrationproject.org/] IHSA Heart of the Arts Award [https://www.ihsa.org/news-media/article/nfhs-heart-of-the-arts-award-nominee-suhn-kaeb-normal-university-high-school] Fusion Robotics Program [https://www.theteamfusion.com/home] Onshape [https://www.onshape.com/en/education/first-robotics] PrusaSlicer [https://www.prusa3d.com/p/prusaslicer/] Autodesk Fusion [https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview] Brogan M. Pratt [https://shop.broganpratt.com/] W3 Schools [https://www.w3schools.com/]

The Secret Lives of Library Parapros

They keep the books moving, the doors open, and the students supported—often without any recognition. They're paraprofessionals, and their invisible labor makes a visible impact. Janette and Leah are joined by Kellie Treece (Longfellow Elementary) and LuAnn Grimm (Oakwood Middle School) to pull back the curtain on the day-to-day realities of running a school library as a paraprofessional. Relevant Links: Illinois School Library Workers Symposium (ISLWS) [https://railslibraries.org/education/islws] Kindle Paperwhite [https://a.co/d/0iwjG0SS] Education Support Professionals (ESP) [https://ieanea.org/members/esp/] Short Term Substitute (STS) License [https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Short-Term-Sub-Teach.aspx] Professional Educator License (PEL) [https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Professional-Educator-License.aspx] Loaded Tea [https://www.theloadedteashop.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoocG8KGXSMPxmlSrd3RnCY2P1ElDQttZk73wzPidoBm4FzYBuLQ] Orlando Informer Meetups [https://meetup.orlandoinformer.com/]

Get Your Head in the Game

Reading doesn't have to be solitary. It can be a team sport! Janette and Leah are joined by school librarian Lisa Marcum (Plainfield Central High School) to unpack what gamified reading looks like: what works, what flops, and how competition can build connection. Plus, Lisa shares step-by-step how she created a thriving district-wide Book Battle that gets teens (and teachers!) excited to read and talk about books together. Relevant Links: Notion [https://www.notion.com/] "Sociopath: a Memoir" by Patric Gagne PhD [https://patricgagne.com/sociopath/] Beanstack [https://www.beanstack.com/] Kelly Jensen [https://kellybjensen.com/] Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award [https://aisled.org/lincoln/] "Huda F Are You" by Huda Fahmy [https://hudafahmy.com/book/huda-f-are-you/] "Love in English" by Maria Andreu [https://mariaeandreu.com/books/love-in-english/] "Dungeons and Drama" by Kristy Boyce [https://www.kristyboyceauthor.com/dungeons-drama] "Hollow Fires" by Samira Ahmed [https://samiraahmed.com/book/hollow-fires/] "The Getaway" by Lamar Giles [https://www.lamargiles.com/getaway-by-lamar-giles] "Cracking the Bell" by Geoff Herbach [https://bookshop.org/p/books/cracking-the-bell-geoff-herbach/fb7feb7f8b230ab0] "Star Splitter" by Matthew Kirby [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/561891/star-splitter-by-matthew-j-kirby/] John Mark Enterprises [https://www.instagram.com/johnmarkenterprises] PHS on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/readwithphs/] PHS on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@readwithphs] Lisa's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mrsmarcum_edu/] Lisa's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@libraryladylisa] Lisa's Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/lisainthelibrary.bsky.social]

Not Lost in Translation

When students walk into school carrying the weight of language barriers, uncertainty, and fear on their shoulders, the right welcome can mean everything. Janette and Leah are joined by Veronica Ramos (¡WEPA! líbros) and Rosie Camargo (South Holland Public Library) to share how small actions can turn a library into a place where multilingual students feel safe, seen, and valued. Relevant Links: ISBE Educator Licensure [https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-Licensure.aspx] RAILS EDI Committee [https://railslibraries.org/board/committees/83287] ¡WEPA! líbros [https://www.wepalibros.com/] Miss Rosie Reads [https://www.missrosiereads.com/] Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries [https://miapmanansala.com/series/tita-rosies-kitchen-mysteries/] SPARK Networking Group [https://railslibraries.org/networking/groups/101532] Lote4Kids [https://lote4kids.com/] Language Access Resource Center (LARC) [https://www.dupagefederation.org/larc] Bitty Bao [https://www.bittybao.com/] Canticos [https://canticosworld.com/] Lil' Libros [https://lillibros.com/] Dig Deeper Journal [https://www.insidethenout.com/products/dig-deeper-journal] Tasting History with Max Miller [https://www.tastinghistory.com/] ALA Annual Conference [https://2026.alaannual.org/] Miguel Briones (bilingual author visits) [https://www.miguelbrioneswrites.com/] Colorín colorado (multicultural/multilingual book finder database) [https://www.colorincolorado.org/] Storytime Solidarity [https://storytimesolidarity.ca/] Follow ¡WEPA! on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wepalibros/] Follow ¡WEPA! on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wepa-libros/] Follow Rosie on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/missrosiereads/]

If We Build It, They Will Read

Plot twist: reading culture isn't built with rewards, levels, or quizzes. Janette and Leah are joined by Pernille Ripp and Dr. Sarah Sansbury to explore reading identity, student choice, and how we can create the conditions that invite kids into reading. Relevant Links: Game Changers series by Rachel Reid [https://www.rachelreidwrites.com/books] First-Time Caller by B.K. Borrison [https://bkborison.com/first-time-caller] The Global Read Aloud [https://theglobalreadaloud.com/] Dr. Margaret Merga [https://www.notredame.edu.au/about-us/faculties-and-schools/school-of-education/sydney/staff/margaret-merga] Expectancy-Value Theory [https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/psychology/expectancy-value-theory] Illinois School Library Workers Symposium [https://railslibraries.org/education/islws] Front Desk by Kelly Yang [https://www.kellyyang.com/frontdesk/] One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker by Timothy Janovsky [https://www.timothyjanovsky.com/chocolate-maker] Follow Pernille on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pernillesripp/] Pernille's blog [https://pernillesripp.com/] Follow Sarah on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/supersansbury/] Follow Sarah on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/supersansbury.bsky.social] 💭 Have a topic idea? Want to be a guest? Email Ola at ola.gronski@railslibraries.org or leave us a voicemail on our hotline at 630.734.5015.