About+Ms+K.

Who is Ms. K.?
My first year in Morocco, I used a [|Prezi presentation] to introduce myself.

She's certainly not Ms. Kansas, or Ms. Kanga or Ms. Kangaroo. My real name is Elizabeth Kangas, though I prefer to be called 'Beth'. For some reason, Ms. Kangas is hard to remember, so I tell students to call me "Ms. K" to make it easier.

I grew up in a small little New England at a time when there was no cable tv, x-boxes, Wii's or anything else like that. Instead I watched Sesame Street and Mr. Rodgers, played outside in the mud, and in the woods, and went to the town library to stock up on books to read. Must have been boring, though I don't remember it that way.

Now-a-days, I'm a librarian. I have an almost uncanny knack for picking (ordering) books that students will like and will fly off of the shelf. I have a semi-photographic memory when it comes to books at times; meaning I can remember whether or not I ordered a book, or whether we have that book in the library, and where it's located. While getting my library degree, I also received a certification to teach library to grades K-12. While I continue to be a stronger librarian over a teacher, I am constantly working on teaching techniques. At my most current school, I started using some of [|Whole Brain Teaching]'s methods, which are very much in use at the school. I think that the 5 rules, and "Class" will always be a part of my library.

Why overseas?
So why am I overseas instead of living in the US? For one, I have always had an innate curiosity for learning about different peoples, cultures and how they live. I love finding new foods, learning new customs, learning to speak a new language. I originally thought that I would find that path through getting a degree in International Relations, but it just didn't seem me in the long run. So, while getting a library degree, I heard about the possibility of being a librarian while being able to live and work in a new culture. After living and working in NH for 3 years to hone my library skills and really learn the nitty-gritty of what being a school librarian meant, I made the jump to teach abroad and so far have no plans to look back, much to the chagrin of my family!

Ms. K's Favorite books
This is a loaded question. Just about every book that I read promptly becomes my favorite book of the moment. Literally this list would change on an hourly, minutely or even secondly basis if I had to list any books. Though I can say that right now, I am sick of hearing the words, "My Weird School", "Horrid Henry", "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", "Big Nate" and "Meanwhile".

Ms. K's hobbies
I often wish the day was 26 hours long or more! I am an avid reader, knitter, I like to get to the gym, ride my bike, take walks exploring new parts of where I live, travel around. And let's not even mention figuring out ways that I can use my iPad2 in my library. Or just playing around with the various features of my iPad.

Ms. K's favorite quotations
Anything by [|Mr. Rodgers] Lots of quotes by [|Eleanor Roosevelt] (one of my inspirations in life) "It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is you." --Benjamin Button "There are no happy endings.-Endings are the saddest part-So just give me a happy middle-And a very happy start." Shel Silverstein, Happy Endings? "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness...Travel helps us discover we are family after all." --- Mark Twain "Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life."" ~Helen Exley

This is Ms. K. See? Definitely not from the time of the dinosaurs.