In honor of National School Library Month, we’ll be doing a feature from each building in the St. James R-1 School District!
Meet the library staff at Lucy Wortham James Elementary! When entering the library, students always receive a big smile and a warm welcome, which has made both Mrs. Hope Hunter, the librarian, and Mrs. Chandra Moffet, the library aide, beloved members of the St. James R-1 School District. With their commitment to building relationships and creating engaging programming, they have transformed the elementary library into a hub of learning and support for students and staff.
Mrs. Hunter’s philosophy is simple yet profound: everyone should feel welcome in the library. She works tirelessly to create an inviting atmosphere where students and staff feel comfortable seeking assistance and resources. Her flexible schedule ensures that students can visit the library at any point of need, making it an accessible and reliable source of information and support.
Building relationships with each student is a top priority for the LWJE library team. They make it a point to know every student's name and engage them in conversation whenever possible. That caring and supportive approach has earned the trust and respect of the students, who see the library staff as a consistent and positive presence throughout their elementary school career.
Collaboration with teachers is a key component of Mrs. Hunter’s work. She stays familiar with the curriculum and thematic units to incorporate research and information literacy skills into grade-level curriculum. By helping students see the real-world applications of these skills, she helps them connect with their learning on a deeper level. Her dedication to reading is also noteworthy. She makes it a priority to read a wide variety of books, so she can recommend the perfect book to each student. Her extensive knowledge of children's literature and readers' advisory services has made her a valuable resource to both students and teachers. Mrs. Hunter is always available to help with small groups or one-on-one sessions with students who have research or reading needs.
The LWJE library team goes above and beyond for the students at Lucy Wortham James Elementary. This dedication has made them indispensable members of our school community!