Before this subject, I used to think of leadership mainly as a formal position or title, specifically someone in an authority position. Engaging in the unit content and suggested reading, along with researching the first assignment, made me realise that teacher librarians (TLs) lead in many other ways. They lead through collaboration, advocacy, and guiding learning, not just through hierarchy (Crippen & Willows, 2019). This has really shifted how I think about my future role. Leadership can be something you do every day, not just something you are allocated.
Working through the SWOT analysis helped me see both the strengths and the challenges of TL leadership. On the one hand, TLs have specialist knowledge, understand the curriculum, and can bridge teams across the school. We are perfectly placed to influence teaching and learning (Crippen & Willows, 2019). On the other hand, if people only see the TL as a support person, it’s easy to be overlooked when it comes to decision-making or strategic planning (Weisburg, 2020; Kumar & Sharma, 2025). That really made me think about how important advocacy is, and how much leadership is about showing your impact, not just waiting for recognition.
I also realised that TL leadership isn’t just about managing resources or running the library. It’s about guiding teachers, supporting students, and embedding library programs into the curriculum in ways that actually improve learning outcomes (Robinson, Lloyd, & Rowe, 2008). Thinking about blended leadership styles made me see that leadership is flexible. It’s about choosing the right approach for the situation and being willing to step up when needed (Bush & Glover, 2014).
Advocacy is another big piece I hadn’t thought much about before. TLs have to advocate for themselves and highlight their value, not just hope others notice it. This is something I will need to consider moving forward in my career as it is not a strength I currently possess. Gathering evidence about student engagement, digital literacy, or teacher collaboration can help position the library as a central, strategic part of the school (Lance, Rodney, & Schwarz, 2014). I now see that this kind of leadership is as much about influence and relationships as it is about formal authority.
Finally, I’ve realised how much relational leadership matters. Trust, support, and collaboration are just as important as decision-making power (Harris, 2014). If I focus on building strong relationships and sharing expertise, I can lead by influence, not just by title.
This subject has really challenged my previous assumptions and understanding of leadership within the context of schools and has changed how I see the teacher librarian role. TLs aren’t just helpers, they are leaders who guide curriculum, empower staff, advocate for the library, and make a real difference to student learning. Understanding this, and seeing the different ways leadership can be enacted, will definitely shape how I approach my future practice.
References
Bush, T., & Glover, D. (2014). School leadership: Concepts and evidence. British Educational Leadership, Management & Administration Society.
Crippen, C., & Willows, J. (2019). Connecting teacher leadership and servant leadership: A synergistic partnership. Journal of Leadership Education, 18(2), 171–180. https://doi.org/10.12806/V18/I2/T4
Harris, A. (2014). Distributed leadership matters: Perspectives, practicalities, and potential. Corwin.
Kumar, R., & Sharma, P. (2025). Barriers to effective library utilization: A qualitative study of students and teachers in educational institutions. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 11(3), 120–130. https://eprajournals.com/IJCM/article/16273
Lance, K. C., Rodney, M. J., & Schwarz, B. (2014). The impact of school libraries on student achievement: Research in Indiana. Library Research Service.
Robinson, V. M. J., Lloyd, C. A., & Rowe, K. J. (2008). The impact of leadership on student outcomes: An analysis of the differential effects of leadership types. Educational Administration Quarterly, 44(5), 635–674. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X08321509
Weisburg, H. K. (2020). Leadership: There is no other option. Synergy, 18(1).