From Storybooks to Strategies: A Teacher-Mom's Journey into the World of Librarianship

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

       

 My name is Gena Hines and I am a mother to 2 amazing young men. My oldest is starting his sophomore year at The Citadel and my youngest started his senior year at Fort Mill High. I started my 9th year as a 3rd grade teacher at Pleasant Knoll Elementary school. This week will mark 25 years with my amazing husband.  

This is my second semester in the MLIS program. I have no prior experience in an information center. After taking this course, I hope to become comfortable with technology in the library and information sciences. My hope is to become an elementary librarian. I am passionate about reading and getting children excited about it as well. I love getting lost in books and discussing them with others. My favorite memories in school involved sitting on the carpet in front of the teacher while she read. Today, I love the gasps and "oh mans" that come when I close the book at the end of a chapter during my own read aloud. I love the challenge of finding THAT book for reluctant readers. 

I have become quite efficient using Google Classroom, Google Apps, and working towards proficiency in Canva.

When I am not reading or working on schoolwork for my third graders, I love hanging out with my boys, doing puzzles (jigsaw & sudoku), drawing, and relaxing with my husband.  

 Fun Fact: Right out of high school, I joined the US Air Force and served 4 years as an Engineering Assistant. Three of those years I worked in the Drafting and Surveying shop and the last year of my enlistment I was a Construction Inspector. I was stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota for my first year and a half, a year in Osan Air Base in Korea (this is where I met my husband) and finished my time in Pope AFB in North Carolina.