Tag Archives: FreshGrade

The world is changing, the technology is changing, the ways that students learn is changing, and so as the role of a teacher-librarian (TL). Almost all of the resources, i.e. books, articles, etc., that I have read stated that the teacher librarian is expected to take up the role of “curriculum leadership.” Scheirer (2000) had included a list of professional competencies for TL in her article, two of the competencies really stood out “BIG” to me:

1. places a priority on staff relationships and leadership in the implementation of change
2.  provides leadership.

Photo in courtesy of:  http://www.rakisradresources.com/2015/01/where-to-find-your-own-professional.html

At my last post, I shared that I was a beginner at building my personal learning network (PLN) using one or more tools mentioned in the above photo. I am still “lurking” on social media, while my colleagues are more knowledgable on tools mentioned than I am and are possibly sharing their experience in teaching actively via those tools. I would question myself: Who am I to provide “leadership”? I guess if I HAVE to be an educational leader, I COULD push myself forward and “force” myself into the doing. However, as being a person who does not like to be the center of attention, I would be pushing myself into doing something that I am uncomfortable with and I do not think the thrust would last for long. As I was researching for ideas on how could I fulfil the role within my capability, I came across the video below: 

The video suggests supporting teacher’s professional development by working alongside with the classroom teacher. This echoes with the quote that catches my attention in the article “Librarians as Leaders in Professional Learning Communities through Technology, Literacy, and Collaboration.”

“As a school librarian, the goal should be to look at what students are learning and what teachers are teaching in the classroom and see where your knowledge and skills can fit into that plan.” (Dees et al., p. 11)

From my research, I have learned that being a educational leader does not mean that I have to be “ahead” of everyone in current educational issues, to be an expert on technology, nor being a professional development workshop speaker. I could be a support staff working collaboratively with teachers, suggesting technological tools which are applicable to the teachers’ teaching and students’ learning. In another word, I could be an “educational coach.”

A few staffs at my school have decided to try the FreshGrade program as an alternative for parent-teacher communication tool. As I had attended a summer professional development workshop on the program, I approached those staffs who would like to try and offered help in troubleshooting if they have any questions. This is the first time I made myself “visible” in new technology, and I am glad that I was able to help a few colleagues and assist a colleague in presenting a workshop on FreshGrade. I do not consider myself as an “educational coach” yet, but I think I had made a big leap in the role.

What can I do differently, or new, this year that better support the staff at my school?

I am currently not a teacher-librarian at my school. Imagine that I am, I would set the following goals for this school:

1. Be proactive in building a relationship with the individual staff at the school. Collaboration is built on a relationship with trust, and only through collaboration that I would be able to know “what students are learning and what teachers are teaching.” With that knowledge, I will then be able to suggest educational readings, professional development opportunities, or digital tools that would enhance the teachers’ teaching.
2. “Crack out of my shell” – Instead of continuing to lurk on social media, I have to try sharing my own ideas. If I do not share or tweet, how could I encourage other staffs to do so? I have to extend my personal learning network, so that I could share my experience with others and encourage others to build their own PLN.

Two goals would be my limit for this year, as I had mentioned in my last post, I have to slow down and take small steps at a time. I think I could achieve these two goals even being a music teacher (not a TL) this year. Hence, this would be a good start.

References:

Dees, Dianne, Alisande Mayer, Heather Morin, and Elaine Willis. “Librarians as Leaders in Professional Learning Communities through Technology, Literacy, and Collaboration.” Library Media Connection 29.2 (2010): 10-13. Web. 22 Oct. 2015. Link: http://coekate.murraystate.edu/media/professors/files/koren/LibrariansLeadLearnCommunities.pdf

Raki, Heidi. Raki’s Rad Resources. Web. http://www.rakisradresources.com

Scheirer, Bev. “The Changing Role of the Teacher-Librarian in the Twenty-first Century.” (2000). University of Saskatchewan. Web. 22 Oct. 2015. Link: http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/scheirer/scheirer.htm