Library
Ms. Karrie Johnson
Karrie Johnson started in education in 2002. She earned a BS from Lamar University in Psychology and a certification in Special Ed. After teaching for 8 years at Austin Middle School, she earned a Masters degree in Library and Information Science from Texas Woman’s University. She became the librarian at West Brook High School in 2010 and spent the next ten years in that position. In 2021, she joined the staff at ECHS to serve as the campus librarian and 1:1 Device Coordinator. She can be reached at kpeacoc@bmtisd.com.
Online Library Catalog
BECHS staff and students can search the library from the comfort of the classroom or home in order to see what is available. To do a general search, you can use the link below. Email the librarian with any questions.
Gale Research Databases
King Collegiate Academy students and staff have access to the Gale family of databases through TexQuest. These are accessed through the library's online catalog under "Links", or on the Library's Google Classroom under "TexQuest." You can also find it through ClassLink.
The Gale research databases are important because some of our students have a hard time accessing reliable information. Also, Gale is one of the main research databases that Lamar and LIT uses. The main difference being that the navigation on the Gale database for high school might be a little easier, but it is pulling articles from the exact same sources. Our librarian has helped many students complete LIT assignments with the Gale databases that KCA has access to. The articles can be read in different languages, they have a highlighting and note-taking feature, and always have the complete citation in whichever format is needed. The articles also have hyperlinked topic keywords throughout to expand research.
There are several databases to choose from:
Gale Opposing Viewpoints is for current hot topic issues, and is helpful for persuasive papers and current events.
Gale High School in context is great for general research topics.
Chilton Library is a complete automotive database. I know we don't have that course of study, but I have used it for personal reference.
Gale Literature: Litfinder
Gale Literature Resource Center
Gale in Context: Literature
In order to prepare students for college, these databases are the easiest way to teach students how to use databases to conduct academic research. Questions? Contact the librarian!
Learning Express
Learning Express is a career, college, and military prep resource through TexQuest that has TSI, SAT, ACT, ASVAB , etc. practice tests, as well as STAAR and career resources. Our students should never have to buy those expensive practice test books! At this time, it does not require a password, but when you go to take a practice test, it will prompt you to create a personal account so that it can save your progress. There's also help for professionals taking graduate certification tests, and plenty of our teachers take advantage of it as a valuable resource. You can access this resource on the KCA Library Online Catalog under "Links" as well as in the Librarian's Google Classroom.
Teaching Books
Specifically for teachers, Teaching Books is a literature focused resource through TexQuest that has thousands of novel titles with a range of resources for novel studies such as author interviews, book trailers, and printables. Educators can login using the "sign in with Google," which will create a teacher-specific account where book lists and materials can be saved. And, as always, this resource is also linked through the library online catalog and in the KCA Library Google Classroom.