Being an educational leader requires first and foremost that a teacher-librarian build positive relationships with students, staff and administration. By creating a welcoming, inclusive environment that is well-equipped and staffed by knowledgeable professionals, people will be drawn to the space and will want to be an active part of it. In this era of cuts, TLs need to sell their skill sets as teachers, technology support, and “idea people”. They can develop non-traditional lessons or projects that a classroom teacher may not have time to organize given all the other demands on his/her time. They can seek out new, innovative resources and tools and vet them, then teach others how to use them effectively. Teacher-librarians need to promote the idea of multiple literacies and support teachers by modelling good digital citizenship.
(Creative Commons licensed image courtesy Gywneth Anne Bronwynne Jones)
Teacher-librarians need to involve themselves in school-wide issues, not hide in the library. They need to join committees and be part of discussions that impact everything from school culture to curriculum.
Teacher-librarians are teachers and can offer support in a variety of ways. The onus is on us to network with staff and advocate for a strong library/media center/learning commons program. The research has been done showing how a strong library supports student achievement. Sometimes people just need to be reminded of it.
As Valerie Diggs says, “[m]ake the life of a classroom teacher easier” (Diggs, 56).
I made my first attempt at using Padlet to organize my notes from the readings. You can check it out here. This presentation is pretty basic but I see the potential for its use with students. I will be exploring it further.
This short video is a great response to any teacher who asks “What can a teacher-librarian do for me?” Many of the points brought up in this week’s reading are reinforced in this piece.
References
Canter, L., Voytecki, K., Zambone, A., & Jones, J. (2011). School Librarians: The Forgotten Partners. Teaching Exceptional Children, 43(3), 14-20.
Cooper, O.P. and Bray, M. (2011). School Library Media Specialist-Teacher Collaboration: Characteristics, Challenges, Opportunities. TechTrends, 55(4), 48-55.
Diggs, V. (2011). Teacher librarians are education: Thoughts from Valerie Diggs. Teacher Librarian, 38(5), 56-58. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/docview/875201232?accountid=14656