Advocacy Why Teacher Librarians Should Be Involved in Every - PowerPoint Presentation

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Advocacy

Why Teacher Librarians Should Be Involved in Every Students’ Learning Journey! How we advocate in Nanaimo Ladysmith Public School DistrictPresented by Liz Sansoucy-Jones and Val Martineau Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools Slide2

Background

Every time there is a budget discussion at the district level, Teacher-Librarians find ourselves on the potential chopping block. For the past 10+ years, NLPS TLs have had to make at least one presentation annually to the board to justify our existence. Last year we made one without our jobs being on the chopping blocks…here’s how we got there. Slide3

What we tried

Skit – visual, comical, accessibleApples and Oranges – comparing the different roles of TLs vs Library Clerks and its impact on student learningInvolved students and parents Visual pictures and a walk through when advocating to keep DRC open Quoted research on student learning impact Wine and Cheese – better than whining (borrowed from a BCTLA colleague)Visuals of what a room with books would look like without a teacher librarian

2007 presentation “Using a library without a teacher-librarian is like trying to find one book in a pile”

Gail de

Vos

, author & storyteller. Picture 2 – What library space can look like Slide4

Successful strategies

Know your facts – student impact, how it can be assessedHave real life examples & picturesHave other teachers speak on your behalf (this is huge for showing relevance)Be consistent with your messageEducateAssume the trustees know nothing or very little about libraries and TLsFollow up by answering questions and providing any requested informationSlide5

Our Successes

Regular well attended TL learning sessions Collaboration – Our TL meetings 6 times a year have allowed us to share concerns and successes for years! We have learning sessions, sharing and guest speakers. These have kick started many a plan for advocacy over the years. For example, one retirement dinner led to the VLC positionADVOCACY IS BUILT UP OVER YEARS

Includes break out sessions for secondary and elementary TLsSlide6

Pro Active Advocacy

We have been invited to the table In the spring of 2015 NLPS teacher-librarians were invited to present to the new trustees the “Role of the Teacher-Librarian Within a Library Learning Commons”. It was pre-budget time. The goal was not to fight for our jobs, but to convey our role and its impact on student learningSlide7

Virtual Library Coordinator

VLC 1.0 FTE Provide leadership and direction of a broad range of services to support the access of both traditional and digital resources Will take a leadership role in leading the transformation from traditional school libraries to 21st century learning commonsPromote the implementation of the new BC CurriculumCoordinate the access and logistics of The Destiny Library Management systemEvaluate the districts present resource licensing agreements (ERAC)Provide direction as it relates to digital rights managementPromote use of Aboriginal Education resourcesAssist classroom teachers in making technology more accessible and relevant for students in their learning activities

Help create policies for cataloguing of resources

Prepare for resource needs of teachers during curriculum changes

Other duties as directed

VLC is a position of leadership not just among the TLs but in our district Slide8

Looking Ahead

Advocacy never ends NLPS sees the VLC & TLs as key leaders in our 4 pillars to successNew BC curriculum including implementation, resource development, inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives and knowledge & technology Collaborative Inquiry – inquiry and innovation, leading and participating in professional learning communities PLCs Assessment – NLPS reading assessment implementation & formative assessmentInclusion – equitable access, UDL, celebration of diversity & inclusion policy implementation