Comments on: It’s About You. But It Isn’t. Or Why Budget Cuts are Like Shark Tank.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:16:02 +0000

Great post! I haven’t seen Shark Tank but I have seen the elevator pitches on MSNBC’s Your Business so I can totally relate. Excellent suggestions for all of us. In my district there is always some curricular area being reviewed so one way to market our product is to get on those committees and show how we are a part of every aspect of the educational process. If your school or district has a new goal (such as differentiation) that they are initiating, point out how your program supports those initiatives, but do this as an ongoing process, not as a response to a threat of being cut. At that point it only looks like a self-serving task.

By: Jim

Jim — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:21:03 +0000

Great one! My professor projected this post on the screen during out most recent school librarian class for my grad. degree.

By: Kelly Ahlfeld

Kelly Ahlfeld — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:20:58 +0000

inspirational; smart; and very much appreciated!

By: Pat

Pat — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:11:11 +0000

This may have been your BEST blog post of all - thank you! I also cringed with each MAME post today seeing librarians cut mid-year. We are in very desperate times in Michigan. The Shark Tank analogy was spot on and you’ve made easy points for us to take. They will help me focus my impact statement to resist the urge to simply create a list of things I do. I’ve been composing, planning, and editing in my mind just what should be included. You and I have discussed these things often - we collaborate with teachers so they can independently do what we’ve created so we can move onto something new. (scaffolding) The impact statement must realistically include the work of a library professional and instructional leader. If a para or classroom teacher can do it, keep it out of the impact statement. I could go on and on but maybe that just means it’s time for a visit to Sweet Lorraine’s! BTW - I didn’t watch many episodes of Shark Tank but I DID see the golf club.