Hello
My name is Carly, and I am the librarian at a lower elementary school in Kern County, California. My journey to become a school librarian is a long and slightly meandering story. I can clearly remember dressing up as a librarian for Kindergarten Career Day. Despite this early indication, I began my education career as a Physical Education teacher. Following the births of my children, I transitioned to teaching preschool. My family and I then relocated to Okinawa, Japan to support my husband’s career in the United States Air Force. While in Okinawa, I taught youth gymnastics and continued with this career upon relocating to mainland Japan.
During the summer of 2021, my family and I relocated again, this time to Southern California and I knew it was time for another career change. I applied for a preschool teaching position at William A. Bailey Elementary (Bailey School). I was contacted for an interview for the position. During the interview a mention of a library position was made and I inquired, interviewed and was hired in the span of half an hour.
Next week will be the completion of my third year as Bailey Librarian. I have chosen to take this class in part because I am ready for a new challenge. I have learned so much about the profession of librarianship that I have been able to share with my students. Now I want to be able to share more. More technology, more stories, more opportunities.
The upcoming 12 months will be full of life changing moments for my husband and myself. In August, our youngest child will move out of our house and we will officially be empty nesters. I will be graduating from this program in December and next June my husband will be retiring from the United States Air Force.
We are looking forward to all these changes so that we can have more time to enjoy biking, hiking and just generally being outside with our dogs. Here we are at the largest Buddha statue in Japan.
I am also looking forward to getting to know you all and learn from you.
3 Comments
Alexis L. Johnson
Hi Carly,
What an exciting “meandering” path you’ve been on! First of all, congratulations on all the upcoming milestones and phase of life transitions. I have 4 little ones and have a ways to go before anyone graduates high school. I see getting to Empty Nester status as an incredible achievement to be proud of. And a retirement and Master’s graduation? What a 12 months, indeed! So much to be proud of.
This –> ” I inquired, interviewed and was hired in the span of half an hour.” sounds like one of those really cool serendipitous life moments. 🙂
What were your favorite parts about living in Japan? My husband and I lived in Tokyo for a spell and had a very memorable time. In more recent years, we had a couple of our children in a Japanese immersion program at their US elementary school and now plan to take them to Tokyo this fall as a treat. The food, trains, and cultural heritage spots come to mind as things I’m especially excited to share.
Carly Scarberry
Hi Alexis,
My favorite part was EVERYTHING. We live in Tokyo for four years and despite not looking like anyone there or really speaking the language or understanding all the culture I had never been to a place that felt more like me. The Japanese people are so welcoming and yet are not pushy. The landscape is gorgeous and so inviting for outside enjoyment.
What years were you there? Maybe we crossed paths without even knowing it. 🙂
*****This –> ” I inquired, interviewed and was hired in the span of half an hour.” sounds like one of those really cool serendipitous life moments. 🙂
Yeah, I don’t really believe in fate but I definitely ended up where I was suppose to be.
Michael Stephens
@carlys “ more technology, more stories, more opportunities…”
Love this! This is exactly what the class is about. Thanks for sharing your background. It’s so interesting. All the places that you have found yourself.
Welcome to #hyperlib!