Throughout the course, my essential question has focused on providing resources to teachers as part of creating a greater collaborative culture in my school. I began wonder whether a planning structure (i.e. guiding principles for collaboration) or undertaking to create curriculum-focused resource lists/collections which I could have on hand in the learning commons. I also wondered about the greater role of the teacher-librarian in the collaboration and co-teaching process.
My first entry was evaluating my current facility in its transition to a learning commons. While we have adequate staffing and funding, we need to improve the school-learning-commons relationship. There is little in the way of a culture of collaboration between classroom teachers and the teacher-librarian. The teacher-librarian needs to be more involved in discussions around school growth and planning. The TL could also take a more active role in professional development, particularly with regard to technology integration in the classroom. This is a topic well-suited to collaboration and co-teaching, with the TL supporting the learning of the classroom teacher as well as assisting with student instruction.
A second topic I found valuable was the evaluation of database resources. As I knew already, we need to work harder at promoting them and encouraging their use by teachers and their students. In looking more closely at the content, I found they are generally suited to high school learners, with a variety of reading levels available along with options for differentiation, such as text-to-read functions. Promoting the databases has been a large part of the collaboration work I have undertaken this semester. I have been able to introduce them to classes and then assist with student use (generally their first foray!). The article by Loerschert and Koechlin reinforced the ideas I’ve mentioned above with regard to technology. By talking with teachers to find out what their needs are, I can then present suitable tech options, and support their use by students.
As I finish the course, my big take-away is with regard to collaboration. Assignment #3 was very useful to me as an exercise. Making yourself available, having conversations, and offering support without being intrusive will encourage further collaborations. I found that working through a planning structure with an inquiry model as my guide was a good way for me to work. Knowing colleagues and their level of comfort with technology, co-teaching, collaboration, and/or asking for support is really key. As I go forward, I hope to continue building relationships between my staff and the learning commons and offering whatever support they require w
