Standard 6:
ENGAGE IN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
The excellent TL is proactive in the identification of professional needs, both for themselves and their colleagues. They engage in professional learning themselves, and actively model and share this knowledge, in order to improve practice and student learning.
Leadership (professional development - school staff)
The highly accomplished TL is abreast of current research to direct and improve teaching/learning processes. They evaluate current practices to identify weaknesses and create opportunities for growth. They are actively involved with professional associations and use the information gathered to inform practice which they share with staff. The excellent TL is a gatherer of current professional practice, with the express purpose of sharing and enhancing teaching practice and student learning. Thus "the teacher librarian is cast as the information literacy expert, who, due to his or her expertise of search tools and strategies and knowledge of relevant resources, is a valuable member of the teaching team (Kuhlthau, Maniotes and Caspari (2007) as cited in Lupton (2015:18).
The TL at site 2 attends some PD, specifically for TL practice, however this does not correlate to staff beyond the library. She does not have an active role in the PD of staff at the school, and is not abreast of current research that would inform and direct future practice.
When I come to power I will use the information that I gather from my involvement in professional associations (OZTL; ALIA) and networks (Facebook, twitter, linkedin, pinterest), and resource staff with journals from KLA's to inform and direct their learning. I will participate in online conferences and be a conference attendee as much as is practical. The information learned at these conferences will then be used to inform teaching/learning practice and provide PD for staff. I will endeavour to create PD programs that are endorsed by BOSTES, so that when I give PD within the school community, it is recognised and can be counted towards the staff PD hours that are necessary to maintain accreditation.
Leadership (policy development)
The highly accomplished TL is proactive in the development and upkeep of policies within the library. They are aware of current policies and those that should be available within the whole school community. They use their policy writing skills to inform and direct staff attention to existing policies and initiate and assist in the updating (or creating) processes (ASLA:2014).
The TL at site 2 was unable to produce any library policies upon request. It is presupposed that if such policies exist, then they are old and outdated.
When I come to power, I will start the process of creating a collaboratively compiled, collection of current library policies (South Carolina Dept of Education : 2005) and use this information to inform library practice. I will also direct Principal attention to this process, and suggest that this might be an ideal time to begin a process of updating KLA school policies should that be necessary. I will use this opportunity to provide PD to Heads of Departments in policy development and create a sub-committee that will strategically progress through current policies updating where necessary. I will also access school documents to facilitate the production of a school library mission statement that supports and aligns with the school's mission statement of "Student Growth, Effective Teaching and Connectedness".
Leadership (professional development - school staff)
The highly accomplished TL is abreast of current research to direct and improve teaching/learning processes. They evaluate current practices to identify weaknesses and create opportunities for growth. They are actively involved with professional associations and use the information gathered to inform practice which they share with staff. The excellent TL is a gatherer of current professional practice, with the express purpose of sharing and enhancing teaching practice and student learning. Thus "the teacher librarian is cast as the information literacy expert, who, due to his or her expertise of search tools and strategies and knowledge of relevant resources, is a valuable member of the teaching team (Kuhlthau, Maniotes and Caspari (2007) as cited in Lupton (2015:18).
The TL at site 2 attends some PD, specifically for TL practice, however this does not correlate to staff beyond the library. She does not have an active role in the PD of staff at the school, and is not abreast of current research that would inform and direct future practice.
When I come to power I will use the information that I gather from my involvement in professional associations (OZTL; ALIA) and networks (Facebook, twitter, linkedin, pinterest), and resource staff with journals from KLA's to inform and direct their learning. I will participate in online conferences and be a conference attendee as much as is practical. The information learned at these conferences will then be used to inform teaching/learning practice and provide PD for staff. I will endeavour to create PD programs that are endorsed by BOSTES, so that when I give PD within the school community, it is recognised and can be counted towards the staff PD hours that are necessary to maintain accreditation.
Leadership (policy development)
The highly accomplished TL is proactive in the development and upkeep of policies within the library. They are aware of current policies and those that should be available within the whole school community. They use their policy writing skills to inform and direct staff attention to existing policies and initiate and assist in the updating (or creating) processes (ASLA:2014).
The TL at site 2 was unable to produce any library policies upon request. It is presupposed that if such policies exist, then they are old and outdated.
When I come to power, I will start the process of creating a collaboratively compiled, collection of current library policies (South Carolina Dept of Education : 2005) and use this information to inform library practice. I will also direct Principal attention to this process, and suggest that this might be an ideal time to begin a process of updating KLA school policies should that be necessary. I will use this opportunity to provide PD to Heads of Departments in policy development and create a sub-committee that will strategically progress through current policies updating where necessary. I will also access school documents to facilitate the production of a school library mission statement that supports and aligns with the school's mission statement of "Student Growth, Effective Teaching and Connectedness".
