After reading so much about the role of the teacher librarian, I thought I would like to actually talk to some principals about their views on the role and see if they thought it a valuable position.
I started with my own school principal Wayne Press. We have a brand new library, compliments of the government building project, staffed with a part-time library officer but no teacher librarian. He was interested to hear that I was studying with the view to being a teacher librarian. Wayne explained that he had suggested the position to the staff when they were looking at the specialist positions, however the staff were more interested in having music, art, sport and IT covered. The general view was that the classroom teachers could cover their own library lessons because all teacher librarians really do is read books and try to encourage children to read. Mr Press did say that he believed the role to be much more than that and felt it leaned more towards information literacy these days although he wasn't really sure about how this would be carried out. It was an interesting conversation.
I am new to the school this year and have taken on support roles in both the junior and senior primary areas. I have been working with the year 6/7 class on a research project. It has been interesting to experience their lack of research and information skills and their naive approach to Internet research. If they found it on the web it must be right! They have no interest in the library, books or other information sources. I can see plenty of room for a Teacher Librarian in this school!
I have recently returned from the USA where I had spent some time with my aunt, Dr. Camille Shirah. Camille has recently retired as the principal of C.B. Greer Elementary School in Brunswick, Georgia. We had discussed this topic while I was there as I had just started my Master's of Education in Teacher Librarianship. I asked Camille to write down her thoughts on the role for me. It makes for interesting reading. What an inspiring teacher librarian! I decided to post it (with Dr. Shirah's permission) for others to read.
One Principal’s View: The Role of the Media Specialist
Dr. Camille Shirah
If I had to select one person in a school who is central to student success, without hesitation, I would name the media specialist. Having recently retired as the principal of C.B. Greer Elementary School, an International Baccalaureate World School, in Brunswick, Georgia, USA, I had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Judi Teston, our school’s media specialist. She demonstrated an expertise and imagination matched by few. During the four years I worked with Mrs. Teston, I gained an even higher standard for all media specialists, because her work was impeccable and invaluable to our school.
I watched as Mrs. Teston engaged students and teachers in books, interactive technology, story telling, research, drama, reading clubs, games, daily student-led newscasts, and her own magical enthusiasm for the world of reading. She might be found acting like Annie Oakley as she tells the story of this American cowgirl or jumping up and down in a student assembly as she awards students and teachers with life-size reading posters. Excitement follows Mrs. Teston and her energy for reading pulls students, staff, and parents into literacy.
Because she understands how students learn, and she dedicates herself to her craft, Mrs. Teston plays a significant part in increasing reading achievement as indicated by students’ high scores on the state tests (mandated by No Child Left Behind). She utilizes various methods and strategies while engaging students in the lessons she teaches in the media center. She pays close attention to the Georgia Performance Standards for learning and gears her lessons to these academic expectations. She utilizes student data and is a master at reviewing the standards considered to be the most important.
Along with students, she also guides teachers into a greater understanding of how to integrate reading and research into content areas of study. She has helped all grade levels expand their thinking by selecting appropriate books used in Literature Circles and International Baccalaureate transdisciplinary units of study. Additionally, Mrs. Teston designed a highly successful reading program to encourage students to read on their reading levels, increase metacognition, and most importantly, read for pleasure. Her dedication to keeping reading and writing at the forefront of learning has inspired teachers to do the same within their classrooms.
Additionally, Mrs. Teston is the webmaster for Greer’s website. Having a school website is a county requirement and a huge job. Admittedly, she spends many extra hours making sure the information on the website is up-to-date and represents the school both creatively and accurately. Many accolades have come her way because she expects only the best from herself and projects Greer’s students and staff in an exciting and meaningful format.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the media specialist must be willing to build strong relationships with students. Sidorkin says in his book Learning Relations (2002) that “students can only learn to love something from someone they love”. The role of the media specialist is one of special significance and requires an extremely dedicated person, like Mrs. Teston, who loves her work and the lives she touches. Students must be led into an appreciation of reading, and it is a love of literacy that builds solid students. Teachers also must feel comfortable asking for help and confident the information given to them is accurate and relevant.
I have witnessed an amazing media specialist at work, and she has proven to me her job is not only vital to students, but to teachers and parents. Truly the media center can be the heart of learning in a school. A highly effective media specialist changes the lives of students every day and greatly enhances learning in ways that increase understanding and higher levels of thinking. An awesome media specialist, like Mrs. Teston, makes a lasting difference in a school and greatly increases the likelihood that her school, like her, will be remarkable.
No comments:
Post a Comment