Networking
Networking and the LLC
Yifan Wu. Retrieved from:https://ideas.ted.com/an-introverts-advice-for-networking/
As elementary school teacher librarians we often have the unique opportunity to see our colleagues with their classes. We have a chance to watch each classroom teacher interact with their students and learn by observing their relationships. Once we ourselves have developed relationships with the teachers, collaborative opportunities tend to present themselves. I try to keep in mind that “as a school librarian, the goal should be to look at what students are learning and what teachers are teaching in the classroom and see where your knowledge and skills can fit into that plan.” (Dees, Mayer, Morin & Willis, 2010). For this reason networking has become key to my professional development.
Coffee, Curriculum, & Conversation: From January until March break teachers are invited to the LLC for coffee and treats while we all share out the technology we are using in our classrooms. We also share lesson ideas we have tried. Guest speakers we have seen and initiatives we are a part of like the outdoor classroom.
Design Thinking Network: Teacher Librarians are invited to be part of the many networks that have been created in the district. Most recently the district has pushed forward with the Design Thinking Network. This network consisted of three lead teachers that organized three professional development gatherings and the year culminated in an Expo of Awesome for the students to showcase the learning. "Students coming to the Expo of Awesome will present their learning to an authentic audience, as well as experience the learning of others. There are four themed learning categories, Design Thinking, Inquiry Projects, Scratch Arcade, and SumoBot, in which students can choose from, to share their learning at this year's event." (School District 23, 2019). More information can be found on twitter at #EoA2019Library Learning Commons Network: Recently one of our Assistantships Superintendent of Schools, Jon Rever became the chair of the LLCN which has the goal of bringing TLs with a classroom teacher and one of their administrators to meetings in which we plan professional development. The first year I attended the gatherings and now I am on the committee. Our most successful event was one that allowed TLs to visit other LLCs in the district for the morning to see how the collaborative part of the day was run. For the afternoon we met as a large group with our administrators to outline a school goal. Our guide was the Leading Learning document which was "developed to provide vision and practical strategies for those responsible for and committed to viable and successful school libraries in Canada." (Canadian Library Association, 2014)
Social Media: Over the past year I have begun the process of connecting via twitter. In the span of a year I am connected with other TLs, school board members, administrators, motivational speakers, university professors, and professional organizations like COTLA (Central Okanagan teacher librarian association) and the BCTLA (British Columbia Teacher Librarian Association).
ISTOCK.COM/TOMASS2015 Retrieved from: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/01/people-can-predict-your-tweets-even-if-you-aren-t-twitter
Bibliography:
Canadian Library Association. (2014). Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada.
Dees, D., Mayer, A., Morin, H., & Willis, E. (2010). Librarians as Leaders in Professional Learning Communities through technology, Literacy and Collaboration. Library Media Connection.
School District #23. (2019). Expo of Awesome. Retrieved from: https://eoa.sd23.bc.ca
I love the idea of your coffee, curriculum, and conversations. This sounds right up my ally. I have a couple questions for you on how this works. Are you open every lunch hour during those months? Does it actually get utilized? Why did you chose those particular months?
ReplyDeleteVery excited to be invited to these networks within my own district. Being a TTOC can have its strain, as its hard to hear about these things without being apart of it first hand. Im trying my best to network myself and connect to other local librarians. As a way to help guide me into the right networking circles, like the one you discussed "Expo of awesome".
We are open one day a week at lunch for Coffee, Curriculum and Conversation. I decided to run it from January to March because let's face it, school start up is hectic. I have always found the deepest learning to happen from January to March when we are settled. It is utilized for sure! I typically ask for any topics people are keen to share out on and then I can put out a flexible agenda. We have covered google classroom, digital assessments, portfolios, outdoor education, and really anything that you are doing in your classroom that you want to share out.
DeleteI also really like the idea of Coffee, Curriculum, and Conversations. I have been in districts that had a similar idea (Paper Bag Lunches) and I love the idea of opening up the library for teacher-use and collaboration instead of just student use or as a bigger space for meetings. I also love that your district has professional development for Teacher Librarians. Social Media is an amazing way to connect with fellow TLs near and far, but there is something pretty amazing about seeing someone's space and getting to interact with different libraries/librarians in person. One of the most valuable parts of my orientation into Chilliwack school district was that the afternoon was spent visiting classrooms in a few of the local schools. It was great to talk to the teachers, see their ideas and the changes they were making, and pick their brains about why they are doing those things.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely! Our most successful day by far that our LLCN organized was the day that teachers were able to go out and visit the schools. 2 elementary, 2 middle and 2 high schools hosted. The only downside is the amount of money that day cost.
DeleteSome really great ideas and initiatives that you are supporting and contributing too. I was really impressed to read about your informal lunch and learn sessions for your colleagues and you to share and learn together in a low stress time of year. Also, the group getting together to study the Leading Learning document is a great idea and can lead to some powerful partnerships and collaboration. Finally, you did a decent job connecting and linking some resources, but could also use some labels to help categorize your posts.
ReplyDelete