Cascade MS librarian receives statewide honor
Amy Wilde, a teacher librarian at Cascade Middle School, has been named the Secondary Library Teacher of the Year by the Oregon Association of School Libraries. Wilde was selected for her innovative library program and enthusiastic support from her school and fellow librarians.
“Amy is the heartbeat of Cascade. She makes the library the center of the school and gives students a place to be themselves, explore and learn,” said Cascade Principal Stephen DuVal. “Amy embodies what we strive for at Cascade, which is a place where strong relationship with students permeate everything we do. I honestly believe we would not be the warm, welcoming school we are without her.”
Each year, Wilde creates events and activities for students, often featuring pop culture references — from Stranger Things to Weird Al to Baby Shark. Every month, the library hosts lunch and movies, featuring a movie created from a book. Each year, Cascade also hosts Cat Week, which features silly and creative activities that highlight her love for cats.
Wilde says goofy activities have a deeper, important purpose. “I want students in the library. That’s my goal and these events draw students.” Once in the library, Wilde says, she can get students to check out books. During 2017-18, Cascade recorded the highest level of check-outs of any middle school in Bend-La Pine Schools.
“My biggest goal this year is really connecting with the nonreaders and getting a book in their hands that they finish,” said Wilde, who has loved her time at Cascade. “I look at the kids at Cascade as my kids. I feel like we are doing what’s best for kids and it feels good.”
In 2018, Pilot Butte Middle School teacher librarian Shelby Paulson earned this honor.
Bend-La Pine Schools has 24 media managers, three media techs and five teacher librarians who serve our school media centers. Teacher librarians not only operate within the library, they also collaborate with teachers and provide research instruction in specific areas for students.
Last year, Bend-La Pine Schools’ libraries circulated 268,785 books and 48,886 electronic books.
