The modules and tasks in ETL504 have promoted an abundance of self-reflection from the outset of the subject. Discussions, readings and assessments have me thinking about my own school context and where I fit into the setting. I ruminated on the role of the TL and the need for advocacy (Holland, 2022, para. 3 & 4) early on in my Masters degree as I was taking maternity leave from my school to have our boy, Archie. I was certainly very optimistic (possibly even a little naïve) about how I was leaving the library and the role I would be coming back to (Holland, 2024).
Ultimately, everyone likes to feel valued, appreciated and respected, no matter your field of work, role, experience, or personality type. I believe leaders must always remember the person behind the worker and that everyone will have their own personal influences that impact and shape their day. The recent International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) interview with Dr. Aisha M. Johnson (2024) supports this belief, with Dr. Johnson stating that she aspires to have a “toolbelt” for people leading using a situational leadership style that advocates for valuing people and professional development (para. 2 & 3).
Influences have been a notable learning experience for me during the modules thus far – namely internal and external influences – which have the potential for strengthening or weakening school effectiveness (Coleman & Collinge, 1991, p. 262). Considering, reflecting and acknowledging influences on education settings and leadership roles is imperative as it may assist staff to understand potential impacts on decision making and strategic directions of the school.
Another prominent learning outcome has been around building trust with colleagues. Ezard’s 5 key traits of a leader (2015) discusses how leaders should:
- Discover – ask people questions, build curiosity
- Admit our mistakes – taking risks, making failures, show vulnerability
- Appreciate – spend time appreciating people, specific commenting, value people
- Evolve – taking responsibility, accountability
- Align – be authentic, what you think and what you say is aligned in congruence with what you feel and do.
In my school context of a relatively smaller sized primary school, I must embrace my ability to exhibit leadership, infuse values and influence change despite being the lone library practitioner in the school. My goal is to continue to build on being a literacy and literary leader – the person to go to for knowledge of curriculum, resourcing, literature, information literacy and inquiry skills. As I edge closer to the completion of the Masters to gain my formal qualification in Teacher Librarianship, I aim to:
- Reflect on and develop my personal and professional educational goals
- Maintain my belief in lifelong learning by continuing to identify areas of professional learning needs and reading relevant evidence-based research
- Identify my collegial strengths and leaderships style
- Collaborate with other teacher librarians, with the goal to becoming a leader in the library community within the ACT
- Continue to advocate for the inclusion of a qualified TL in schools for positive student outcomes and wellbeing.
Looking to the immediate future, I will be developing an application for our school to hopefully be a recipient of one of 17 ACT Government funded TL positions to be fulfilled over the next few years. A successful application will most definitely be a positive external influence on our school, students and community.
References
Coleman, P., & Collinge, J. (1991). In the web: Internal and external influences affecting school improvement. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 2(4), 262–285. https://doi.org/10.1080/0924345910020402
Ezard, T. [BastowInstitute]. (2015, July 27). Building trust and collaboration – Tracey Ezard [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/kUkseAdKyek
Holland, J. [jennifer.holland] (2022, March 13). ETL401 Assessment 1: The role of the Teacher Librarian. Jennifer’s reflections ‘through the looking glass’. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/jennifersjournal/2022/03/13/the-role-of-the-teacher-librarian/
Holland, J. [jennifer.holland] (2024, March 19). Module 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3 – Primary Sector [Online discussion comment]. Interact 2. https://bit.ly/43FzLVa
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2024, February 6). An Interview with Dr. Aisha M. Johnson, advocate, educator, & scholar. Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning. https://blogs.ifla.org/cpdwl/2024/02/06/an-interview-with-dr-aisha-m-johnson-advocate-educator-scholar/