Studying ETL401 has been an amazing journey for me – I can’t believe it’s only been 3 months! Previously, I had relieved as a TL intermittently and thought I had a pretty good idea of what the job entailed. I now realise that it is so much more than I ever imagined! Needless to say, my view of the role of the teacher librarian has changed dramatically.
In an early blog entry I acknowledged that my early ideas had merit, but I was also beginning to see that the role went much deeper. Even at that early stage, I noted being overwhelmed at what professional literature indicated I should be aspiring to. Purcell (2010), Herring (2007) and the ASLA standards (2004) were the first “wake up calls” to really get me thinking about my traditional views. It was encouraging to note that others were feeling the same way (see John Williams’ Forum Posting “Benchmark Reality Check” and responses).
Later Valenza (2010) blew me out of the water with her Manifesto for 21st Century Librarians (see my Forum Posting 3 May “Valenza’s Manif-Uh-Oh”). How could one person ever achieve all of those things? Judy O’Connell reassured me that Valenza has a PhD and is a specialist in the field and that she would be the pinnacle of what we are trying to achieve. Once the shock and apprehension subsided, I read further forum and blog discussions and I realised that TLs should not try to be everything all of the time. Instead we should do our best to aspire to these benchmarks, prioritise and focus on the areas which we are confident and strong in. (See my Forum Post 18 March “Role of the TL” para 3). Leanne Sharpe’s “Collaborative Rubric” Post was particularly useful in helping me to focus on my strengths and to identify areas for improvement.
The idea of being involved with the leadership within the school scared me at first. However it really makes sense that if we as TLs are going to prove ourselves and survive into the future it is essential for us to not only build a good relationship with our Principal, but to also assist them in providing staff with the knowledge, tools and strategies they need to effectively educate our students.
I always thought I knew what collaboration was. It turns out I had very little idea. True collaboration, as opposed to cooperation or coordination (Todd 2008) is absolutely crucial if TLs and CTs are to provide quality, meaningful, useful programs. Previously however (yes, I’m ashamed to admit it …) I thought that having 2 trained teachers for 1 class of students was a bit of a waste of school resources. I now realise the foolishness of such logic and have done a complete turnaround with my thinking. As a recently-appointed “Non Instructional Time” (NIT) providing TL I struggle to find the time needed to converse with 12 CTs at my school. I have only a vague idea of what they are doing in their classrooms and feel isolated and stand-alonish in my efforts. Still, I will not be defeated!! The comment made by the French Teacher (see blog entry para 6) is going to get shot down in flames and turned on its head before I am through with this year!! Valenza (2010), Buzzeo (2002), Haycock (2007), Montiel-Overall (2005 & 2008) and others have given me tools and ideas on how to address some of these collaborative issues. It may take some time and I am not expecting miracles overnight, but I am determined to get there by turning a virtually non-existent collaborative climate into productive, wonderful joint ventures.
“Information Literacy” was not a concept with which I was previously familiar. I have since been exposed to so much information that at times, like others, my head has been spinning! (see my Forum Post “info lit mania” 27 April). Having examined it from (almost) all angles, I am now confident that I have a grasp on what IL actually is, and am confident to promote a thorough understanding and school wide approach to teaching it in my school. I am also excited by and keen to experiment and get others to experiment with the inquiry based learning approach.
It has certainly been a wild and exciting rollercoaster ride – terrifying, thrilling, worrying – but one that I am so glad I had. They say that ignorance is bliss, and well, I certainly was ignorant and naïve, but am now excited and enthusiastic to see where I can take the role of the Teacher Librarian in my school.
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