Supporting Teachers' Ongoing Pro-D 

LIBE 477 - Inquiry Blog 3 - Oct 2020



How can we, as educators and Teacher-Librarians share what we’ve learned with our wider communities of practices?

As Teacher Librarians we carry such a vast array of knowledge, truly fitting into a niche in which no other teacher will specialize. Disseminating this knowledge onto ears willing to listen is a difficult task. This is why I think, within a single school community, it is so important that TLs get a slot in every staff meeting. Some weeks it may be that there are simply some new books on a table that the TL can point out and teachers can take a look at. That will take one minute of the staff meeting time. But other times this slot could be filled with a reminder of how to access our online library catalogue, a reminder of our databases, or a little mini lesson on why digital citizenship is so important. 


 How can we best respond to the needs of our staff, in their wide spectrum of abilities and experiences, with the most appropriate and useful professional development?

I think one important way to meet staff where they are at when it comes to technological abilities and comfortability is to keep an easy, accessible log of screen-cast videos with how-to instructions on basic things. So, for example, some teachers might be wary of using databases because they are unsure how to troubleshoot student log-in difficulties, etc. I do not have room in my schedule to see all the classes, but I want to encourage all teachers to allow time for students to explore our databases. I will keep a comprehensive screen-cast video of step-by-step instructions within our whole-school staff MS Team for them to access.


 What tools and strategies are best implemented to meet the professional development of staff?

Good teachers are life-long learners. Good teachers have something in mind that they are passionate about -- a pedagogy that they might already have ownership over. Good teachers also have something in mind that they are interested in, but want to learn more about -- a pedagogy they would like to try. A TL needs to have their ear to the ground in order to know what these passions and yearnings are. 

My LLC is at the centre of the school and, in our small school, tends to be the gathering place or the place where people come to share or vent. I've gained a good rapport with almost all of the teachers and I am working on knowing the new ones. 

Surveys (MS Forms) are key for me to figure out the needs of my staff when it comes to Pro - D. 


 How can we evolve and adapt this practice to be more responsive to the personalized needs of the educators, staff, admin, parents, and other members of our educational community?

First, I think, is to lead by example. Professional involvement, as Amanda Hufton defines in her article "The Role of the Elementary School Teacher-Librarian in British Columbia", means continually developing professionally "through reading current journals and through involvement in committees and associations." In addition, ______ says teachers need to carry awareness of "current learning and teaching strategies and be aware of resources for professional development". TLs carry the power of what literature make their way into their catalogue and, thusly, the power of what their community is reading. It's a huge responsibility! TLs need to be well-informed of the up-and-coming resources. 



Works Cited

Hufton, A. (1991). The Role of the Elementary School Teacher-Librarian in British Columbia. Faculty of Graduate Studies, 15. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from file:///C:/Users/18290/Downloads/ubc_1994-0451.pdf

Comments

  1. L_MeiOctober 26, 2020 at 8:36 PM

    Jennifer, I often hear the phrase "lead by example," but it makes so much sense because others need to see our success. Like you mentioned, we fill a niche that is so crucial and relevant in an educational landscape that is rapidly transforming. Thank-you for your ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. D.McNeeOctober 31, 2020 at 8:31 AM

    You share so many good ideas, tools and strategies to support other teachers here. I agree that as TLs we need to keep our “ears to the ground” and be life-long learners in order to support our colleagues. Fostering strong relationships with staff is key. It sounds as if you have a strong foundation with this. Those conversations when people come to connect, share and vent are invaluable.

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