P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E

A reminder of patience

Patience is defined as "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay without getting angry or upset" (dictionary.com.) During today’s yoga class we were told to think about what this word means to us. When I think about patience within the teaching profession I’ve realized teachers have this pretty down pact with their own classrooms and students. However, I feel some teachers forget to have patience with in themselves. When it comes to sharing what we’ve learned with our wider communities this is something where I plan on having lots of patience. Being a TTOC makes it difficult to communicate as that isn’t really our role. When I am in the position of teacher librarian I plan on making collaboration my number one focus as I believe this is the best way we can share what we’ve learned within our learning community and other teachers around the world.

1.     Collaboration

I feel it is through collaboration that we can share our practices with one another, learning from each other. In order to achieve this goal Toor & Weidburg’s book, New on the job, states, “On day one, you have to be proactive, seeking ... [teachers] out and establishing a collegial bond" (2015, p. 5). It is up to the teacher librarian to reach out! Toor & Weisburg also offer some helpful hints for encouraging teachers to frequent the library, giving teacher-librarians the opportunity to initiate conversations and ultimately, partnerships. For example, by having an inviting teacher area or workspace in the library where teachers can do their photocopying, prep work, and perhaps have a coffee or a snack, the library will most likely be visited by staff more frequently, giving us an opportunity to "engage them in conversation whenever possible" (2015, p. 93). It is through conversation we are able to build relationships with teachers.   As Toor & Weisburg explain in Chapter 6, "as you become increasingly familiar with teachers, you can use Anthony F. Gregory's Mind Styles Model" to determine their personality type and the best way to approach collaboration with them (2015, p. 101). By getting to know each of the teachers on a deeper level, we can vary and adapt our collaboration techniques in a way that is best suited to their personality and teaching style. I believe this is a good start on ways to build effective partnerships within the school. By working together teachers are able to share their learning and discoveries, making our professional development a regular practice.  

A teacher librarian (TL) develops the role of education leader as they have a unique role within the school. They get the exception of working with every student and every teacher within the school. With that being said, they have the ability to collaborate with every single person within the school. I believe this is what makes the teacher librarian role so special. We shouldn’t take that for granted. I plan on using collaboration as a way to learn different tools and strategies from other staff within the school. A wonder quote posted on the wall in the staff room says “the most valuable resource that all teachers have us each other- without collaboration our growth is limited by our own perspectives”.

The TL therefor plays an important role in supporting collaboration with the school and community. With support from the library learning commons leadership team (library committee) they are able to work with teachers to design challenges, which empower student led collaborative learning (Canadian Library Association, p.11). They also have the job of creating a space within the library, which aids in collaboration. It is within the library-learning hub where we model and celebrate collaboration, knowledge building, play, innovation, and creativity (Canadian Library Association p.11). The LLC's would not thrive without collaboration. It is through the process of collaborating that we can help teach literacy skills efficiently, utilize a variety of resources, introduce technologies, and create an efficient space.

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2.     Social media

My goal is to continue using a blog for educational purposes. For me this helps solidify my learning experience. It also gives me hope with the ability to  pass on something I’ve learnt to someone else in the world going through the same thing. If we don’t try we don’t succeed. I would link the blog on my library learning commons website so teachers have access to my latest learning journey. I feel this strategy is a way to lead by example. I will invite other teachers to check out my blog and those teachers who are hesitant to collaborate will hopefully become comfortable sharing their own journey with other teaches. In a way this would also showcase to staff that there are many different forms of professional development available online. Resources like twitter, Instagram, and educational blogs have helped me question my teaching beliefs and inquire about different teaching strategies tried all over the world.

Twitter

 

           Instagram                                                                                                Blogger           

3.     Lunch and learn.  

I also plan on inviting staff into the library for a lunch/ learn, as mentioned by Catherine Nickerson in her blog post last week. This is another more formal way of collaborating. I believe it is important to make time at school to learn from one another and or discuss issues we are having within our classroom/school community.

I believe this would work wonderfully with the professional development days. By meeting with everyone in the school we are able to create a school wide goal which teachers can then attend professional development programs or self directed inquiry where everyone would then meet and share to the rest of the staff their findings. I know for myself being a new teacher makes it hard to just pick one direction of development. With the new curriculum there are plenty of avenues to choose so why not learn more than one by sharing with your staff and community.

These are just a few ideas I have right now, as I am still learning about the idea of what tools and strategies are best implemented to meet the professional development of staff.

References:

 Canadian Library Association. (2014). Leading learning: Standards of practice for school library learning commons in Canada.  Ottawa: ON (p.17) see Fostering Literacies to Empower Life-Long Learners

Toor, R., & Weisburg, H. K. (2012). New on the job: A school library media specialist’s guide to success. 2nd edition. Chicago: American Library Association.