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eric bodwell

teacher / librarian / writer

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I have been a high school librarian in the Chicago suburbs since the fall of 2000. I started working in my current district in 2015. While in grad school to get my MLS, I worked in the university library and interned in young adult services in the local public library.

Before I went back to school, I was a library reference assistant in youth services in a public library and had already spent a few years in social service in positions where I worked with homeless families, abused kids, and juvenile delinquent offenders.

In other words, I have spent most of my working life in libraries helping children and teenagers, most of it in library settings. Check out my Linkedin profile if you want some specifics.

As a high school librarian, I am interested in exploring (in no particular order) how to best: teach information literacy, build inquiry units, untangle technology and learning, engage students in reading for academic and leisure reasons. I’m also passionate about how good graphic design can help improve teaching and learning.

Basically, anything that intersects with my role as a librarian, teacher, and learner, there is a good chance that I will spend way too much time thinking about how to translate it into my professional practice so that I can help improve student learning along with my classroom colleagues.

Selected Professional Workshops

2024
Research: Start Simple. Fall School Institute Day. Neuqua Valley High School. Naperville, IL.

2023
10 Things about Slide Design. SAMRi Teacher Camp. Granger Middle School. Aurora, IL.

Using Canva for Instruction & Library Programs. SAMRi Teacher Camp. Granger Middle School. Aurora, IL.

2022
Poetry on Stage in Your Library. AISLE Conference. AISLE Conference. Tinley Park, IL.

Using Canva for Advocacy & Instruction in Your School Library. AISLE Conference. Tinley Park, IL.

2018
A Library Website that Your Students and Teachers Will Actually Use.  AISLE  Conference. Tinley Park, IL.

2018
Help! I have to teach research skills in 5 minutes! AISLE Conference. Tinley Park, IL.

2018
Everything You Ever Needed to Know about Setting Up an Independent Reading Program in Your School. IRC Conference. Peoria, IL. 

2016
Make It Pretty, Increase the Learning. ISLMA Conference. Tinley Park, IL.

2015
Creating Web Based Tutorials. Dukane Institute Day. Batavia, IL.

Google Chrome / Drive Apps, Add-Ons and Extensions for School Librarians. Dukane Institute Day. Batavia, IL

2013
Web Based Tutorials and Screencasts. Illinois Computing Educators Conference. St. Charles, IL.

2012
Setting up a Virtual Classroom. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL

2012
Showing What You Mean: Graphic Design for School Librarians. Illinois School Library Media Association Conference. St. Charles, IL.

2012
Tutorials and More: Web Based Tutorials for School Libraries. Illinois School Library Media Association Conference. St. Charles, IL.

2011-12
Teaching with Technology@WEGO. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL

2011
Igniting 21st Century Learning Through the School Library. Illinois Computing Educators. St. Charles, IL.

2010-11
Marzano and Technology Workshops. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL

2010
Use of Technology in the Classroom. Community High School District 94  School Board Meeting. West Chicago, IL.

2009
Walking in a Wiki Wonderland. 33rd Annual Statewide Conference for Teachers of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students. Oakbrook, IL

2009
Google Docs @District 94. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL.

2009
Web 2.0 Workshop for Administrators. Community High School District 94. West Chicago, IL.

2007
Research? No Big Deal. Illinois Association of Teachers of English Conference. Peoria, IL.

Categories

  • Librarian (3)
  • Writer (1)

Tags

  • artificial intelligence (2)
  • cognitive science (2)
  • information literacy (2)
  • peer reviewed research (2)
  • creative writing (1)

Year

  • 2025 (6)
  • 2024 (1)

Veteran high school librarian on a mission to demystify information literacy & spark a love of reading. Spoken Word poetry coach helping teenagers find and share their voice.

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