It started with a summer session for professional development, and it ended with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Last year, Rebecca Newland – library media specialist for Kemps Landing Magnet School – attended a Summer Teacher Institute in Washington DC. The weeklong workshop trained teachers on how to provide and/or use primary sources for their students.

One of the workshop’s leaders was Earnestine Sweeting , the 2012 Library of Congress Teacher in Residence. As the week progressed, Newland’s interest in Sweeting’s work and responsibilities increased. At the end of the 2012-13 school year, Sweeting was returning to her post as an elementary teacher in New York, which meant the position of Teacher in Residence would be available. After some more thought and encouragement, Newland entered her name into the nationwide hat for the 2013-14 year.

And, she got it.

“It’s awesome,” Newland said of her new position.

In August, Newland relocated to Washington D.C. for the school year, where she works creating lesson plans, primary source sets as well as presentations she gives to fellow teachers and librarians across the country.

In addition, Newland contributes to the Library of Congress’s Twitter account for teachers (you can follow along – @TeachingLC) and also blogs regularly on the website, www/loc.gov/teachers.

She said VBCPS staff was encouraging of the move, which allows her to return to Kemps Landing at the end of the school year.

“I’m going to have so much more stuff to take back to my teachers,” Newland said. “I really feel like I’m learning all these things; I want to share them. “

Newland adds if any Virginia Beach teacher has any requests or is looking for additional resources, they can email her directly at her new job: rene@loc.gov

Until her official return to the beach next year, Newland says she is enjoying taking advantage of all of her new role has to offer.

“I’m just continuing my training to be an even better librarian.”