Assignment 3: Vision of the Future, Part 1

I started working as a Teacher-Librarian at the same time as I started the Librarianship diploma and I must say that despite all the work, I consider myself lucky to be able to learn and integrate new learnings almost simultaneously. 

I first physically changed the entire library space to provide opportunities for multi-purpose learning spaces. Then I created a library website FOR the teachers where information and resources are centralized and easily accessible. I created a Library Blog to keep the whole school community informed about the library activities, novelties, and events. I also encouraged collaborative work using the Inquiry-based methodology and pushed for technology integration to further meet the 21st century learning skills. 

Even if I know that all these changes are positive and are great additions to the SLC’s program, I realize that changing teachers’ habits is not always easily done and that it takes time for things to happen.

As Weisburg said in the book New on the job:  “ Just to keep in mind that there is no way you can accomplish everything in your first year. However, while it takes at least 5 years to establish an exemplary program, you should feel you are heading in the right direction by the time your first year ends.” (Weisburg, intro xiii).

That being said, I do feel that I am heading in the right direction but feels that some adjustments must be made to ease the transition and better connect my school community members to resources that they really need and will make a difference in their lives. In other words, “Since nurturing relationships with teachers is fundamental to your success, you must always look for ways to reach them.” (Weisburg, p. 93).

Now that I know teachers better in terms of teaching styles, technological knowledge, and level of willingness to take risks and explore new things, I feel the need to further personalize the already created Library Website to better respond to teachers’ needs.

More specifically, I would like to add a tutorial resources page that will explain in details how to access and use the Follet Destiny Library system and use specific digital tools using step-by-step methodology. 

The new Website would be more reflective of the school needs and even more so for newcomers to school whether they are students or teachers .“What is the most important is to be sure that all coming students (and new teachers) are loaded into the databases.” (Weisburg, p. 174).

I would also like to add to this tutorials’ page a convincing video that would explain the benefits of using a Professional Learning Network among our school members. Using a social networking service such as Twitter would connect all educators and allow everyone to share information, projects, ideas, and all kinds of educational resources and would inspire us to be better educators. As Richardson says: “We can raise the teaching profession by sharing what works, by taking the best of what we do and hanging it on the virtual walk.” (Richardson, 2012).

Sources:

Toor, R., & Weisburg, H. K. (2015). New on the job: A school librarians guide to success. Chicago: ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association.

Richardson, Will. (2012). Why School?. How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere [Kindle Single]. TED Conferences.

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