
Why Every School NEEDS a Certified Librarian (Part I)
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
05/30/22
•24m
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In this S1E16 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies interview, discover how certified school librarian K.C. Boyd revolutionized reading culture, secured $3.25 million in funding, and became a fierce advocate for student access. From taking a school from worst to excellent in 4 years to rebuilding 8 libraries in underserved communities, K.C. shares her proven strategies for student engagement, inclusive teaching, and education transformation.
🔥 What You'll Learn:
• How to build strong home-school connections through transparent communication
• Innovative teaching strategies that boost student motivation and participation
• Effective approaches to culturally responsive teaching and equity in education
• Professional development insights for empowered educators
• School leadership tactics that create lasting school improvement
• Ways to support the whole child through inclusive classrooms
Perfect for: teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, instructional leaders, school counselors, and anyone passionate about student success and thriving students.
Chapters
Part 1:
0:00 - Introduction to K.C. Boyd, 2022 School Librarian of the Year
2:15 - Educational Journey and Family Inspiration
5:30 - Transforming Wendell Phillips Academy (Last to Excellence)
8:45 - Building Teacher Collaboration and Student Engagement
12:20 - Rebuilding 8 Libraries in East St. Louis
16:10 - Digital vs. Print Books Discussion
18:30 - Chi School Librarians Advocacy Work
21:45 - The DC Read-In Protest Strategy
24:00 - Winning $3.25 Million for 36 Schools
Part 2:
26:30 - Balancing Multiple Leadership Roles
29:15 - News Literacy and Digital Citizenship
32:00 - Building a 4,269 sq ft Library Collection
35:20 - Student Relationships and Book Selection
38:45 - Addressing Book Bans and Censorship
42:30 - Importance of Certified Librarians
45:15 - Makerspace Programs and Digital Literacy
48:30 - Virtual Learning During Pandemic
51:00 - Social Media and Professional Networks
54:15 - Advice for Future Librarians
Some of Many Awards, Honors & Published Writing Highlighting K.C.’s Work:
- Ace Advocate: K.C. Boyd Is 2022 School Librarian of the Year (School Library Journal, 2022)
- Recipient of the 2022 School Librarian of the Year Award and Scholastic's ‘15 Librarians to Follow on Instagram’
- Librarian K.C. Boyd an advocate for students, community, profession (News Literacy Project, 2021)
- School Libraries 2021: Advocacy is a Necessary Part of the Job for School Librarians (School Library Journal, 2021)
- 2020 Distinguished Service Award, District of Columbia Library Association
- K.C. Boyd, School Librarian, Answers Our Questions! (Every Library - The Medium 2018)
- K.C. Boyd: A Leader for Readers (School Library Journal, 2016)
#JAReaders #KCSaidIt #TrojanLMCMakerspace #workWOKE
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode

From Broken Trust to Thriving Teams
May 22, 2022
•18m
In this S1E15 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, discover how (former) Principal Tom Curry revolutionized his elementary school using restorative practices, effective teaching strategies, and innovative approaches to school leadership. This inspiring conversation reveals practical education strategies that work for classroom management, student engagement, and building trust among staff.
What You'll Learn:
✅ How to implement restorative circles for better classroom behavior and student discipline
✅ Proven strategies for managing difficult students and improving student motivation
✅ Professional development techniques that actually engage teachers
✅ School improvement methods that create lasting change
✅ Instructional leadership approaches that empower educators
✅ Building school culture through transparent communication and teacher support
Perfect for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, instructional leaders, and anyone passionate about education transformation. Whether you're dealing with disruptive students, low engagement, or need fresh teaching tips, this episode offers practical solutions.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction: Why This Principal's Approach Is Different
2:55 - Meet Tom Curry: From Music Teacher to Transformational Principal
5:15 - What Are Restorative Practices? Breaking It Down
8:52 - Building Trust: The Four Norms of Restorative Circles
11:14 - The Difficult Conversation That Changed Everything
13:29 - Developing Instructional Leaders Through Trust
15:12 - Professional Learning That Actually Works
17:13 - Final Thoughts: The Power of Listening and Trust
Research to Support This Work:
- Restorative Practices for Educators (International Institute for Restorative Practices , 2022)
- Restorative Practices to Implement in 2022 (Panorama Education, 2022)
- Building a Positive School Climate Through Restorative Practices (Learning Policy Institute, 2021)
- Bringing Restorative Practices to Your School: Six lessons learned from replacing punitive discipline with a community-oriented, restorative approach. (Edutopia, 2016)
#ClassroomManagement #StudentBehavior #SchoolLeadership #EducationStrategies #TeacherCoaching #RestorativePractices #StudentEngagement #SchoolCulture #PrincipalTips #TeacherSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #InstructionalLeadership #EducationTransformation #StudentSuccess #EmpoweredEducators #SchoolImprovement #TeachingTips #EducationCoaching #StudentDiscipline #innovativeteaching
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When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode

Why Every School NEEDS a Certified Librarian (Part II)
June 5, 2022
•19m
In this S1E17 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies interview, discover how certified school librarian K.C. Boyd revolutionized reading culture, secured $3.25 million in funding, and became a fierce advocate for student access. From taking a school from worst to excellent in 4 years to rebuilding 8 libraries in underserved communities, K.C. shares her proven strategies for student engagement, inclusive teaching, and education transformation.
🔥 What You'll Learn:
• How to build strong home-school connections through transparent communication
• Innovative teaching strategies that boost student motivation and participation
• Effective approaches to culturally responsive teaching and equity in education
• Professional development insights for empowered educators
• School leadership tactics that create lasting school improvement
• Ways to support the whole child through inclusive classrooms
Perfect for: teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, instructional leaders, school counselors, and anyone passionate about student success and thriving students.
Chapters
Part 1:
0:00 - Introduction to K.C. Boyd, 2022 School Librarian of the Year
2:15 - Educational Journey and Family Inspiration
5:30 - Transforming Wendell Phillips Academy (Last to Excellence)
8:45 - Building Teacher Collaboration and Student Engagement
12:20 - Rebuilding 8 Libraries in East St. Louis
16:10 - Digital vs. Print Books Discussion
18:30 - Chi School Librarians Advocacy Work
21:45 - The DC Read-In Protest Strategy
24:00 - Winning $3.25 Million for 36 Schools
Part 2:
26:30 - Balancing Multiple Leadership Roles
29:15 - News Literacy and Digital Citizenship
32:00 - Building a 4,269 sq ft Library Collection
35:20 - Student Relationships and Book Selection
38:45 - Addressing Book Bans and Censorship
42:30 - Importance of Certified Librarians
45:15 - Makerspace Programs and Digital Literacy
48:30 - Virtual Learning During Pandemic
51:00 - Social Media and Professional Networks
54:15 - Advice for Future Librarians
Some of Many Awards, Honors & Published Writing Highlighting K.C.’s Work:
- Ace Advocate: K.C. Boyd Is 2022 School Librarian of the Year (School Library Journal, 2022)
- Recipient of the 2022 School Librarian of the Year Award and Scholastic's ‘15 Librarians to Follow on Instagram’
- Librarian K.C. Boyd an advocate for students, community, profession (News Literacy Project, 2021)
- School Libraries 2021: Advocacy is a Necessary Part of the Job for School Librarians (School Library Journal, 2021)
- 2020 Distinguished Service Award, District of Columbia Library Association
- K.C. Boyd, School Librarian, Answers Our Questions! (Every Library - The Medium 2018)
- K.C. Boyd: A Leader for Readers (School Library Journal, 2016)
#JAReaders #KCSaidIt #TrojanLMCMakerspace #workWOKE
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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