A look back at Trinity’s media center

In 2007, then-Media Specialist Ann Flynn reads to students in the Learning Commons Story Well.

A look back

at Trinity’s media center

By Meredith Burris, Media Specialist

The media center has been a vital part of Trinity School throughout its 70-year history. From its beginnings in the basement of Trinity Church, through changes in locations and renovations, the media center has grown and evolved with the School.

I have little memory of what would have at the time been called the library during my time as a preschool student at Trinity in 1960. My first real introduction to Trinity’s media center was in 1988, when I began working at the School’s second location at 3254 Northside Parkway as a Kindergarten teacher. This was after a renovation that put the media center on the top two floors of what was referred to as the “tower” addition. I spent a great deal of time on both floors of the library as I moved from Kindergarten to Fourth Grade to Fifth Grade. I collaborated with thenMedia Specialists Ann Flynn and Myra Morrison for many subsequent years, so when the opportunity came for me to shift from Fifth Grade teacher to media specialist in 2012, I felt right at home. When Trinity School moved to its current location in 2002, the media center became a true hub located at the center of the School. In 2013, the media center came under the auspices of Education Technology led by Jeff Morrison. With the many digital resources we offer, it made sense for us to be absorbed into that department. Our resource catalog, formerly known as a “card catalog,” is online, making it more accessible for students and faculty as they can search for resources both at school and from home. This digital catalog makes finding books and other resources easy and is a huge benefit for media specialists in terms of keeping up with the books in our collection. We have numerous online resources, including encyclopedias, digital books, and a research citation tool used by students in grades 4–6. In 2015, the renovation of the media center led to its transformation into The Overend Learning Commons. The Learning Commons incorporates the Idea Lab and the Apollo iHub (innovation hub) and offers several alternative spaces for classroom use. A breakout room and the popular mezzanine can be utilized for whole classes, while numerous small nooks, café tables, and rug spaces allow flexible locations for teachers to bring small groups of students for more individualized sessions. The Learning Commons truly embraces every aspect of Trinity’s program and pedagogy pillars. One has only to step into this warm and inviting space to see that the pillar of cherishing childhood is ever present. Our amazing Story Well with its whimsical painted ceiling provides the perfect place to share the world of literature during media classes. Book-related character dolls, or “book buddies,” adorn the Easy Book section, inspiring children to read books featuring those characters. The Lego wall allows for creative play, as the children build structures or simply spell out words. Our newly created Discovery Zone encourages exploration and creativity with rotating stations that contain microscopes, puzzles, crafts, and games. As grade levels progress though their time in the media center, their educational experiences are enriched as they develop critical thinking and questioning skills, empowering each student to direct his or her learning. Fixed classes in the younger grades are designed to instill a love of reading and help develop literacy skills. As the students get older, emphasis is placed on research skills and the ethical use of materials. Learning the process of researching encourages our students to develop persistence and resilience. Working with classroom teachers collaboratively to align with curriculum helps each student develop a strong, wellrounded educational foundation.

Trinity’s beloved traditions unique to each grade level are strengthened by the media center, from celebrating Pirate Week with the Early Learners in our mezzanine “pirate ship” to supporting country studies for the Pre-K Olympics and the Kindergarten travel unit and animal research studies for the First Grade Zoo Exhibit. Books on Native Americans are provided to Second Graders for their study of the Indigenous People of North America, and Third Graders dive into a wide range of biographies to prepare for their Living Museum. Our older students research topics using books, the Internet, and other library resources for the Fourth Grade Westward Expansion, the Fifth Grade Olympics, and the Sixth Grade Capstone projects. Each year, our collection development focuses on purchasing a wide range of diverse books to be inclusive and uplift every student. We strive to provide literature that not only reflects the students’ own experiences but also

During the 1990s, students enjoy using the media center at Trinity’s former Northside Parkway location.

provides them with opportunities to see into worlds unlike their own. By giving them “windows” into the worlds of other cultures as well as “mirrors” in which to see themselves within the pages of the books, they can develop empathy and a broader world view and feel a sense of belonging. Trinity’s media center mission statement has been refined over the years, most recently with our newest media specialists, Val Boone and Julie Griffith. “As an integral part of the Trinity School educational structure, the Overend Media Center seeks to serve in developing our students’ confidence and independence in the use of library media materials, to develop perception in book and online choices, and to provide the opportunity to nurture a lifelong love of reading and good literature. Additionally, the center encourages and supports students and teachers in becoming confident users of ideas and information.”

Trinity School is very special to me. While my time as a student here was brief, my 34 years as a Trinity Teacher have been some of the best in my 44-year teaching career. While teaching Kindergarten, I learned so much about how children learn and was mentored by Bitsy Griffin, an exceptional teacher who was instrumental in helping me realize my creative potential. As much as I loved Kindergarten, I found that Fifth Grade was one of my favorite grades to teach. I loved the novels we read, our studies of ancient civilizations, and especially the outdoor education trips. Some of my best memories of teaching Fifth Grade are of the camping trips in Highlands, North Carolina, at the Simmons family farm. However, I can’t imagine a better job than my current role as media specialist. It allows me to pursue my love of literature and to interact with students in all grades. With activities ranging from reading to the Early Learners to helping Sixth Graders find just the right book, every day is different and invigorating. I have been especially fortunate to work with all the members of the Education Technology team. As I prepare to retire, I can’t imagine a better place to end my teaching career than at Trinity School, where my educational journey began.

Trinity’s Media Specialists Val Boone, Meredith Burris, and Julie Griffith love to welcome students into the Overend Media Center’s bright and inviting space.

In April, Meredith reads to Early Learners in the Story Well that has remained largely unchanged since its doors opened in 2002.