Elaine Fong
Teacher librarian, Education Enthusiast, Lifelong Learner.
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Hi there, I have been a teacher librarian and head of libraries in international schools for 16 years, in Mexico and Singapore. As a librarian, I promote information literacy, reading, in all formats and media, and academic honesty. Critical thinking is an imperative due to the immediate gratification, and ubiquity of information. We need to ensure that evaluating information is a healthy reflex, not just an academic exercise. My vision is to engage every student in reading, at their level of interest and access. Having a wide variety of books at hand and the unconditional acceptance of a child's reading choices are the imperatives to achieve this. My fundamental belief is that the library belongs to the whole school community – students, parents, teachers, administrators. It takes a village to raise a reader, so we are all reader role models. Reading is not taught - it's caught. As a teacher, my aim is to make relevant, authentic connections to my students' prior knowledge by sparking their natural curiosity. Curiosity is the catalyst. Curiosity makes one smarter. Questions and inquiry lead the path to learning. Because learning also happens outside the classroom, I am a proactive leader in extracurricular, and service activities, as well as the pastoral care of students. Some of the most valuable, and memorable, learning happens outside the classroom. I will make it happen at your school! Let's talk! Elaine |
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How I contribute to a school...
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Teaching Collaborating with PYP, MYP, DP, IGCSE, AP teachers for library lessons Concept Based Inquiry Visible Thinking & Flipped Classrooms Integrates technology with print sources Skills Highly organised with deadlines Creative and critical thinker Team player and collaborator Embraces new technology and pedagogy Proactive self-manager Effective communicator Goal-oriented & results focused Achievements IBDP Extended Essay Supervisor IBDP Extended Essay Coordinator MYP Personal Project Supervisor IBDP CAS Coordinator IBO Workshop Leader (CAS) Redesigning libraries for accreditation 15 years of experience in international schools with PYP, MYP, IGCSE, DP, AP curricula Roles and Responsibilities Managing annual library budget, usage statistics, reports, policy and procedures Coordinating library staff, and student/parent volunteers Organising Book Week and author talks Secondary Staff Social Committee Primary Staff Celebration Group Primary Staff Learning Group WASC and SACS Committee Farewell Committee |
IT Skills Follet Destiny and Titlewave Weebly Canva Google Apps for Education (GAFE) Managebac Powerschool iMovies NoodleTools Online Resources EbscoHost Britannica Online PebbleGo Q-Files First News The Day Newsela Press Reader Overdrive Epic Books National Library eResources 
Image by Sarah McIntryre at https://jabberworks.livejournal.com
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Student Service Activities Fun Run for the SPCA Singapore Red Cross Home for the Disabled Riding for the Disabled Caring for Cambodia Terry Fox Run Singapore Cleaning the Japanese Cemetery Annual Beach Clean Up at Changi Pastoral Care IBDP Orientation Camp - Grade 12 Student Leadership Camp - Grade 9 Riders Lodge Malaysia - Grade 5 Public Speaking - Grade 11 Overcoming Drug Addiction - Secondary Female Body Image & the Internet - Grade 8 Gate and bus duty MYP Academic Honesty - Parents Weekly Library Info Sessions - Parents Intro to the IBDP EE - Parents My Volunteer Experience International School Library Network (Vice President/Charity Committee) (Books to Nepal ) Singapore Association for the Deaf (Dragon Boat Team) International Coastal Clean Up 2018 (Lim Chu Kang, Singapore) Extracurricular Activities U12 Boys Basketball (Coach) U12 Girls Basketball (Coach) Secondary Yearbook Committee Readers Cup Competition - Primary Cooking - Secondary Just Dance - Grades 1 & 2 Dodgeball - Grades 1 & 2 Asian Club - High School Hiking Club - Secondary |
What students and teachers have said about me...
(click here for more professional testimonials)
I had the pleasure of being a student of Ms Fong's at Overseas Family School from 2002-2004 and have thus known Ms Fong as a librarian and CAS-Coordinator. Ms Fong is an extremely competent teacher, in addition, she has a lovely personality and an excellent sense of humor. Professionally, I thought she did an excellent job of honing our research skills (internet, journal and library research) and supporting our community involvement. Skills, which have been particularly useful to me as a university student, as well as in my personal and professional life. Ms Fong would be a tremendous addition to any school and I give her my utmost recommendation.
- Ida Jorgensen, former IBDP student at Overseas Family School, 2002-2004, Assistant Professor, PhD, Copenhagen Business School
Elaine is an exceptional teacher librarian. I have worked with her for the past five years. She has a clear vision for how a library can be used as a learning resource. She works tirelessly to support teachers and students with lessons and to promote reading and research in our school. Elaine has been instrumental in helping me to support our mother tongue program by resourcing a section in our library that represents the languages at our school. I would recommend Elaine to any school needing a strong teacher librarian or looking to redesign their current library program.
- Mattie Jackson, ESL Specialist and IBDP School-Supported Self-Taught Coordinator, Anglo-Chinese School
I just wanted to pass on my thanks and deep appreciation for one of your staff - particularly because her work is likely rarely noticed by parents and just taken for granted.
My kids are both avid readers and devour 5-6 books every week. We love that they are keen readers and do everything to encourage them. I know that Chatsworth has a strong culture of encouraging kids to read, but Ms Fong has gone the extra mile for both the kids since we started at the school. She’s kept up with their reading appetite, and now even brings books in for them from the National library. My daughters love their time in the library each week, and do everything they can do get back there as often as possible to swap their books over. Ms Fong’s encouragement and support has certainly played a big part in this love of reading.
- Corinne Kemp, Parent, Chatsworth International School, Orchard Campus
- Ida Jorgensen, former IBDP student at Overseas Family School, 2002-2004, Assistant Professor, PhD, Copenhagen Business School
Elaine is an exceptional teacher librarian. I have worked with her for the past five years. She has a clear vision for how a library can be used as a learning resource. She works tirelessly to support teachers and students with lessons and to promote reading and research in our school. Elaine has been instrumental in helping me to support our mother tongue program by resourcing a section in our library that represents the languages at our school. I would recommend Elaine to any school needing a strong teacher librarian or looking to redesign their current library program.
- Mattie Jackson, ESL Specialist and IBDP School-Supported Self-Taught Coordinator, Anglo-Chinese School
I just wanted to pass on my thanks and deep appreciation for one of your staff - particularly because her work is likely rarely noticed by parents and just taken for granted.
My kids are both avid readers and devour 5-6 books every week. We love that they are keen readers and do everything to encourage them. I know that Chatsworth has a strong culture of encouraging kids to read, but Ms Fong has gone the extra mile for both the kids since we started at the school. She’s kept up with their reading appetite, and now even brings books in for them from the National library. My daughters love their time in the library each week, and do everything they can do get back there as often as possible to swap their books over. Ms Fong’s encouragement and support has certainly played a big part in this love of reading.
- Corinne Kemp, Parent, Chatsworth International School, Orchard Campus