Through out the course we have been completing case studies relating to the challenge’s teacher librarians have or will face at one point or another in their career. It is to prepare us as future teacher librarians for what we may face and to get us into the mindset of working collaboratively with other teacher librarians, or just even colleagues. The case studies helped to put me in the mindset of a leader and what I will need to run my own team.
The case studies, I found, were quite helpful and put into perspective a lot of challenges that I might face as a teacher librarian. Apart from the size of the school, the scenario of the test school sounded quite similar to my former school in terms of the structure of management and the types of people that you may face. With this in mind, I was able to think back to my experiences and how I dealt with those types of people. The case study that stood out to me the most was case study three. In group 8’s response there was an indication that changed leadership was the best approach to the situation as it would help shift the view of the people that were blocking the actions of the teacher librarian.
While working with the group, there was a clear emergence of two main leaders directing the rest of the group on how the case studies would work and what roles everyone would take during the various rounds. We were able to work collaboratively and with ease as everyone knew what their roles were and what they needed to do. I saw this as the best way to run an online group as there was a clear focus. The style of leadership was more on the side of Instructional leadership as there was a clear directive and effectiveness in their instruction. I have found that this is the best form of leadership during my time as a teacher as there is the seniority element in place and I have noticed that most of my former students respected that.
As part of this unit, I have been able to assess my own approaches to leadership and the effects that is can have on people, both positive and negative. By modelling the best practice that I have read about and witnessed in discussion groups, I am more confident in my role as a leader in the school community and in the community in general. The skills that I have learnt have become a part of my day to day life and have become transferable into situations that I did not think of.
Leadership is not just a quality you need in the workplace, it is a quality you need in life.