Read
Reynolds, P. (2013, July 22). Principals of Total Quality Management (TQM). Etech. https://www.etechgs.com/principles-total-quality-management-tqm/
Consider which leadership styles would be advantageous if implementing TQM in a school.
I would recommend utilising a transformational leadership style to introduce the changes involved in establishing TQM. This style of leadership supports the TQM strategy through;
– the development and support of employee empowerment by encouraging collaboration
– developing active leaders via upskilling and education opportunities
– encouraging collaboration and professional growth for all employees,
therefore, reducing the vertical differentiation amongst staff and providing staff with a sense of ownership over changes (Ingram, 2017; Reynolds, 2013).
Reflect
Consider the readings in Module 2 to identify leadership approaches that would help mitigate stress in the workplace. Transfer this to the library context to identify strategies that the teacher librarian could implement that would be supportive and educationally relevant to classroom teachers. Reinsel Soulen presents a process to support first year teachers, however; the underpinning steps could be applied in multiple situations.
Some of the main causes of stress in educators include excessive workload, school climate and self-esteem or perceived status, which is often directly linked to the presence and severity of other stressors (Larrivee, 2012; Cross, 2015). These stressors are often equally felt by librarians and library staff, particularly when operating in seeming isolation to the rest of the school (Carmody, 2019).
I believe that transformational and instructional leadership styles would assist in mitigating stress in the workplace and possess tools that can be utilised by the TL to assist classroom staff. The transformational leader would be open to promoting positive school culture, team-building and motivation (Ingram, 2017). For example, offering TL time to team teach or assist in planning and programming, providing reliable, relevant resources and staff development opportunities to learn how to utilise resources from the library including specialised technology and programs.
Working in tandem, an instructional style provides leaders the opportunity to scaffold specific learning and training opportunities for staff to upskill and educate themselves, while remaining flexible and adaptable to the needs of individuals and the school (Spencekao, 2013). For example, offering staff the opportunity to develop research skills via professional development that can then be passed on to students, would be one way of utilising the library and TL in this context.
References
Carmody, R. (2019, September 15). School libraries hit by the loss of a dying breed as teacher librarians enter ‘survival mode’. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/
Cross, D. (2015). Teacher well being and its impact on student learning [Slide presentation]. Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia. http://www.research.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/2633590/teacher-wellbeing-and-student.pdf
Ingram, D. (2019, February 4). Transformational leadership vs transactional leadership definition. Hearst Newspapers: Small Business. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/transformational-leadership-vs-transactional-leadership-definition-13834.html
Larrivee, B. (2012). Cultivating teacher renewal: guarding against stress and burnout. R&L Education. Available from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csuau/detail.action?docID=1076212
Reynolds, P. (2013, July 22). Principals of Total Quality Management (TQM). Etech. https://www.etechgs.com/principles-total-quality-management-tqm/
Spencekao. (2013, April 6). Instructional leadership. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efzXDk1–4w
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