This episode is about the real life role of the TL. It offers students the opportunity to learn more about the ways the role is enacted and the challenges within the role as well as the amazing aspects!
Recorded 15/09/22
Download the transcript in PDF format here.
Our guest
Our guest for this episode is Natalie Otten.
Natalie Otten began her teaching career in 1995 as teacher librarian in a small Canberra school.
She has worked in a number of different teaching roles in and out of school libraries over the past 25 years and is currently the teacher librarian and Future Focused Learning Executive Coach at Evelyn Scott School in Canberra. Natalie is currently the President of the Australian School Libraries Association (ASLA) and is a passionate advocate for school libraries and school library staff.
Podcast highlights
Natalie’s current working context. Natalie describes her role and tells us about her school and her school library at 2:28.
Natalie’s connection with Teacher Librarianship. At 5:08 Natalie shares her journey to becoming a TL.
An average day as a TL. Natalie shares her thoughts on what an average day in the TL role looks like at 7:20.
How teacher librarianship has changed during Natalie’s career. From 12:22 Natalie reflects on what has changed in her role since she began her TL career.
Managing the diverse TL role. Natalie shares tips for how to juggle of the diverse facets of the TL role from 17:15.
Advice for creating credibility as a TL. At 20:28 Natalie shares advice for TLs eager to ensure their position is understood and respected within the school.
Further resources:
Natalie is the Teacher Librarian at Evelyn Scott school in Canberra. Find out more about Indigenous rights activist and social justice campaigner Dr Evelyn Scott Evelyn Scott, https://www.rahs.org.au/evelyn-scott-1935-2017/
If you are interested in learning more about Natalie’s role as Future Focused Learning Executive Coach, take some time to explore these resources.
To find out more about the Australian School Library Association, go to their website here https://asla.org.au/.