Lean on ME(dia): Helping Pre-Service Teachers to Recognize the Value of Media Integration Partnerships in the K-6 Classroom

Seasoned educators know that media specialists regularly support classroom teachers, though far too few new teachers are aware of this partnership opportunity. This presentation will consist of an interactive session in which the performance responsibilities and overlap of the classroom teacher and library media specialist are discussed, with specific attention paid to implementation in the pre-service environment. Presenters will showcase various examples of pre-service teacher work and insights, using media to complement and supplement existing curriculum, which foster an emphasis on student voice and student choice through the use of various media technologies. Session participants will engage in hands-on activities, dialogue surrounding the use of media integration partnerships for K-6 classroom educators, and modeling best practices of media usage in a variety of formats to meet the needs of diverse learners in the teacher preparation program setting.