Lori Misaka
ชื่อ: Librarian
สถานที่ทำงาน: โรงเรียนมัธยมศึกษาตอนต้นไวปาฮู
ปีใน HIDOE: 12
ปีในตำแหน่ง: 4
Lori Misaka was named the 2025 Hawaiʻi Library Association Library Employee of the Year.
ถาม: อธิบายเส้นทางอาชีพของคุณสั้นๆ
ก: I started in the HIDOE as an English Language Arts teacher at Waipahu High School, working primarily with EL students. During the pandemic I went back to school to earn my MLIS degree to become a librarian, then was hired at Waipahu Intermediate in 2022.
Q: How did you get into this field?
ก: I have always been a library lover, growing up at the Hawai‘i State Library and having amazing school librarians at my schools. When I became an English teacher, some of my favorite parts of the job were literacy and research-related, which led to my decision to become a librarian.
ถาม: หน้าที่หลักของคุณคืออะไร?
ก: I collaborate with teachers to plan and deliver instruction on research and literacy resources; develop and maintain the library collection for alignment with student and school interests and needs; coordinate the library calendar, set up displays, design the library space for events, activities and lessons; coordinate the school spelling bee and assist with other school events.
Q: How does your job support students?
ก: The job of a school librarian is all about student support. I provide a safe space where all are welcome to explore their academic and personal interests. The library is a third space between school and home where students can connect with each other, find free, high-quality resources for their research and reading enjoyment, and discover what and who they are becoming.
ถาม: ส่วนที่ชอบที่สุดของงานคืออะไร?
ก: I love being able to work with so many students across grades, teams and content areas. As a classroom teacher I had a specific group of students I spent most of my time with, which was great, but now I have the privilege of supporting students in many different ways, from class projects to field trips to recess and lunch time in the library.
ถาม: ส่วนที่ท้าทายที่สุดเกี่ยวกับตำแหน่งของคุณคืออะไร?
ก: As the sole staff member in the library, it can be a challenge to balance the different roles and duties that I have, such as maintaining the library collection, planning lessons and activities, and helping students during breaks. But it’s also what makes it fun, because no two days are the same!
ถาม: คุณมีคำแนะนำอะไรสำหรับคนที่กำลังพิจารณาตำแหน่งนี้บ้าง?
ก: If you are considering becoming a school librarian in Hawai‘i, I would definitely recommend doing the MLIS program at UH Mānoa and getting involved in the super supportive library community. Joining the Hawaiʻi Library Association and Hawaiʻi Association of School Librarians, as well as interning at public, academic or special libraries will give you a broad range of experiences and opportunities to learn from the most amazing librarians in the world. I interned at ‘Aiea Public Library, Government Documents, and the Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences department at UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library.
Q: Fun fact about yourself?
ก: I am the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) club advisor on campus.
