Clarifying expectations

I hope people arent stealing (hopefully not laughing at more like it) my ideas here... I think how the Standards clarify the expectations of the TL role by defining the often misunderstood key roles and responsibilities is really important. really beacuse it is such a multifaceted role and there is a lot of confusion about what TLs do and are supposed to do. The interesting part here is that it helps at a personal, public and school level. Oh good point, best sharpen up my assignment.....

Give me some support! (For my job that is!)

Articulating the professional knowledge, skills and commitment expected of excellent teacher librarians can inform the school community about the multi-faceted and often misunderstood roles and responsibilities of a TL. So true for my school!

Clarifying and communicating these roles can lead to greater understanding of what a TL does, and therefore lead to increased support from colleagues, administrators, executives, and ultimately the school community which directly improves professional practice.

Roy tells us all specialists need support from the culture of the school and from the administrators who are responsible for the school, especially the principal. Best re-read some readings for some back up.

Teaching.........at the core of the TL role.

Teaching is at the core of the TL role because the school library is first and foremost a place of learning and the TL plays a crucial role in implementing the curriculum. Thanks to the forum posters who led me to this great article.... Girolami (2006) points out, eight of the twelve Standards refer to the teaching and learning. Therefore, it makes sense that the framework for the TL Standards bears similarity to the core principles observed in nsw teaching standards. What about other states? Found in Queensland college of teachers, (2006) and VIT (2003) at least.

Public recognition is important

Why..... well right now its of particular relevance in light of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Inquiry into school libraries and teacher librarians.

Why does it matter? Well...it can lead to securing and prioritising funding from Commonwealth, State and Territory Government departments such as the NSW DET and the DEEWR which has important implications for increasing professional development opportinuties and say the number of qualified TLs and having a qualified teacher librarian in every school. For example, supporting postgraduate university placements.

I've decided on my 3 standards

Three Standards which are critical to the enhancement of student learning outcomes are Standard 1.3: “….a rich understanding of the school community and curriculum” (ASLA/ALIA, 2004, p.2); 2.1: “engage and challenge learners within a supportive, information-rich learning environment” (p.3); and 3.1: “model and promote lifelong learning” (p.4). Let's hope I picked good ones!!!!

What I have so far......

Part B.... the gist and opening paragraph. The teacher librarian (TL) Standards are designed to inform the professional practice of TLs in Australian schools by identifying the distinctive professional knowledge, skills and commitment expected of excellent TLs. The Standards can improve the professional practice of TLs by unifying the TL role and proving key opportunities for professional dialogue, clarifying the roles and responsibilities in order for TLs to have a clear and distinctive understanding of what is expected, receive support from the learning community and the public; and providing a framework for ongoing professional development. I REALLY hope I'm onto the right cause here. I think its impossible to approach any more academic literature.

Part B Assignment 2

I CANNOT be trying any harder. I re-read the readings, modules and forum over and over again and then re-read them in the context of the marking criteria yet I still am plagued by this black cloud of failure. I have been on my laptop from walking in the front door at 5.13pm until now... I even ordered my dinner in every night this pattern and Im in such doubt. Close to quitting but I really dont want to lose my job!!!!!