K-12 Influencers: Andrea Trudeau

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.

Tell us about yourself along with a fun fact!
Most people don’t expect a library information specialist to say, “Trust my crazy,” but this is how I choose to be what I call a “no-ssh librarian” at Shepard Middle School in Deerfield District 109 in Deerfield, Illinois. Shepard has been my home away from home since 1998; I started there right out of college as a computer lab assistant and was blessed to work with one of the most knowledgeable, humble, and inspiring individuals I’ve met; my work with him still influences me today–over 19 years later.
Since I don’t sit still very well, I’ve worn many hats while at Shepard–lab assistant, language arts teacher, social studies teacher, and now librarian. Being the librarian allows me to work with all students and staff in our school’s Learning Commons, a very active learning space that is anything but the stereotypical library.

On any given day, you might come in and see us creating lightbulbs from scratch for an Edison Makerspace, helping students revise their essays in a Revise-a-Palooza (complete with cool music), or cheering after solving the puzzles in our latest Breakout EDU. The library is more than just books and research. It’s the heart of our school–a place buzzing with activity, a place of wonder and fun, a place that inspires our students and staff. Each and every day I feel incredibly fortunate to work in this magical…