The 21st Century School Library with Ryan Bani Tahmaseb
In this episode, school librarian Ryan Bani Tahmaseb discusses his book The 21st Century School Library: A model for innovative teaching & learning.
Some areas of conversation include:
- How administrators and teachers can lean on the library to support teaching, learning, and innovation
- The modern role of a school librarian – and what is still misunderstood
- How librarians can be a valuable resource to new teachers
- The benefits of engaging students in hands-on learning
- How to “revitalize research” so students can develop original work that shows their learning
- Balancing free exploration with important lessons on information literacy and digital literacy
- The librarian’s role in supporting inclusivity
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About today’s guest
Ryan Tahmaseb is the Director of Library Services at the Meadowbrook School in Weston, Massachusetts. In addition to writing about education in publications such as Edutopia and Education Week, he also writes short fiction and poetry, with work appearing in journals such as the Carolina Quarterly. Connect on Twitter @RyanTahmaseb
About the host
Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies LLC, a consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K–12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano
Learn more about today's sponsor, Playworks:
We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.
We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.
If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time.
These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation.
Creators and Guests
Host
Ross Romano
Co-founder of Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies. Strategist, consultant, and performance coach.
Guest
Ryan Bani Tahmaseb
Educator. Author: PERSIAN MYTHOLOGY (Running Press Kids, 2025). ROSTAM’S PICTURE-DAY PUSTEEN (@Charlesbridge, 2024). Rep’d by @Jacqui_Lipton
