When Molly Dettmann was 9 years old, she attended a drama camp where students created their own plays. Each kid portrayed a different townsperson, and Dettmann filled the librarian role. The childhood portrayal later came to fruition in Dettmann’s future career.
Dettmann joined the staff at Norman North High School in the 2018-19 school year. Prior to that, she was a public librarian in teen and adult services for the Pioneer Library System for four years. While there, she did school visits and realized that she needed to be in a school working directly with students instead.
“Once libraries kind of became my focus, then when I was a public librarian and saw all the amazing, wonderful things our school libraries do, I knew I wanted to be part of that and work more closely with teenagers on a regular basis because they’re just so goofy. I just love it,” Dettmann shared.
Dettmann, who grew up in Midwest City, Oklahoma, earned her bachelor’s degree in human resources management at the University of Oklahoma and later received her master’s degree in library and information studies there as well. When she decided she wanted to move into a school librarian role, Dettmann completed additional coursework through the OU College of Education and became a certified teacher. She said that is something a lot of people don’t know about school librarians is that they are certified teachers.
A key role of school librarians is collaborating and co-teaching with teachers. Detmann explained that she works extensively with Rachael Lester, her co-librarian, to find resources and supplemental reading materials for all subjects, ranging from special education to math. She also frequently partners with the public library system, which will bring in some of its equipment for students to utilize.
“It’s so much fun to work across subjects and to really see what all our amazing teachers at my school do in their classes and how the library can help support that and offer more to support what they’re doing,” Dettmann shared. “The role is just very multifaceted … I’m able to help make that curriculum connection and that connection with our teachers and what their goals are, what standards we’re trying to cover.”
Dettmann mentioned it means so much to her to be able to represent Norman North and all the amazing things happening there, saying she wouldn’t be where she is without her fellow teachers and mentors. She added that a valuable part of the district is the support it provides for professional development and that she is also grateful for the resources available to the libraries.
A past lesson that stands out to Dettmann is one on virtual reality and empathy. This was part of an extensive research unit that included several activities as freshman English students were studying empathy. Through grants, Dettmann and her colleagues set up a computer and headset, and also borrowed headsets from the public library. Students then used virtual reality tools to look through different apps like the Anne Frank House, where students could virtually walk through the space, or one called “Notes on Blindness,” which was recorded by a man who had lost his vision.
Recently, Dettmann worked with students who researched empathy in an area of their choice. For example, one student was looking at empathy in video games, while another was researching “Grey’s Anatomy” and how the show can help people empathize with those with different medical conditions.
“Ultimately, I want my students to have as much voice and choice in their learning as possible,” Dettmann explained. “Even with these research units, it’s their research question helping and kind of guiding them along the process. The more ownership they have of what they’re learning, the more excited they are about it.”
In her free time, Dettmann loves going on walks with her dog, Coco, who is also her reading buddy. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Tyler, with whom she has a personal Crosstown Clash since Tyler is a social studies teacher at Norman High School. Dettmann likes taking Zumba classes and is also an active community volunteer for organizations like the Women’s Resource Center and the Norman Arts Council.
When Dettmann, whose mom was a teacher for 37 years, was a kid and someone would ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up, the first job she ever said was “teacher.” It took awhile before she found herself on that path as an adult, but now, as she tells people when she sees them in the hallway, she is “just living the dream.”
“It’s so nice to make those connections with students and know that I’m just another person in this building, amongst all the other educators I work with, that cares about what happens to them, cares about helping them develop those passions, cares about them as a person.”