Episode 16: Is it Worth the Badge? with Deborah Zeman

Thirty-two digital badges. One of them certifies her as an expert in a platform that no longer exists.

In this episode of The Library Stage, Amanda Hunt welcomes Deborah Zeman, high school librarian at Hebron High School in Lewisville ISD, chair of the TLA Spirit of Texas Reading Committee, publisher liaison for the Young Adult Round Table, 2024 TLA Branding Iron Award recipient, Adobe ACE Innovator, and Wakelet Certified Trainer.

Her question: micro-credentials are everywhere, and school librarians have leaned in hard; we're the ones handed a new tool in September and expected to be the building expert by October. So is it worth the badge? Deb argues both sides. Where she lands is the useful part.

Pillar: 🧡 EdTech

💡 Steal-this-idea: Three questions before you start any micro-credential. Does it change my practice or just my paperwork? Is the skill transferable if the tool dies? And does it feed something bigger than itself? Ask what it replaces in your practice, not what it adds to your bio.

Grab Deb's resources:

• 📖 Deb's book recommendations: she reads and recommends across middle grade, young adult, and adult
• 🛠️ Her Linktree is a genuinely enormous collection of shared resources
• Microcredentials Resource List
• Queen Mel's Email Signature with Badges

Follow Deb: 📱 @z_brarian across platforms | ✉️ dgmzeman92@gmail.com

Think your library story belongs on the stage? Pitch your talk: thenextgenlib@gmail.com

Hosted by Amanda Hunt, MLS (@TheNextGenLibrarian) 🌐 thenextgenlibrarian.com

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The Library Stage is an independent podcast, not affiliated with TED Conferences LLC.