Books, books and more books.
All her life, recently hired teacher librarian Amber Linehan has been fascinated with the adventures of each new literary exploration, whether it be coaching students’ research capabilities or enjoying her love for reading with a new, close-knit community at Portola High.
Prior to Linehan coming to Portola High, Linehan was an English teacher at University High for 13 years, where she became familiar with a large school environment. Despite Linehan having left her job as a teacher in 2017 to take care of her three children, she continued to foster her love for reading through various means.
“When I was off, I joined a couple of book clubs, which I really, really enjoyed,” Linehan said. “I also volunteered at the library at my kids’ school, so I was able to see an elementary school library and a middle school library, and I just thought it was so fun. So I started thinking, ‘maybe I’ll go back to school and get my credential to be a librarian.’”
Linehan describes her book club experiences as diverse and eye-opening, giving her the opportunity to read new stories she never imagined reading.
“I’m in one group, where everyone is ten years older, and also another group, where everyone’s ten years younger than I am,” Linehan said. “And both of them are equally fun. But what’s great about it is that everyone gets to pick up books. What others are going to enjoy could be something that I would never choose for myself.”
Though the first days of her job were a “whirlwind,” as Linehan describes it, she gradually fell in love with Portola High’s culture and climate, bringing her family along for the journey as well.
“I brought my family to come see the Learning Commons because I’m really proud of it,” Linehan said. “And then today, my two daughters are going to do the cheer clinic with the Portola Cheer team, and they’re going to cheer in the halftime game tonight. They already think I have the coolest job ever, and that’s just going to make it even better.”
At the end of the day, Linehan is still most excited about being in a profession she genuinely enjoys: one where she can make a lifelong, positive impact on students.
“I’m in an environment where I can see you guys go through your four years that you’re never going to get back again,” Linehan said. “There’s just kind of an excitement at a high school because it’s such a rite of passage. And it’s just—I’m very excited that I get to work here.”
