Library Ties

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a professional development training with several of my teachers. The workshop focused on a model for instruction and that our district has adopted. The topic really doesn’t matter, but one thing I noticed was the absence of other library media specialists in the room. Why is that?

• Is it the administrator doesn’t see the value of sending the LMS?
• Is it because the LMS doesn’t see the benefit in attending?
• Is it just there is a limit on the number who can attend?

When our building decided who to send to this training, we focused on our professional development committee. This group is responsible for bringing back the workshop to the others on our staff as well as preparing other trainings throughout the year. I quickly signed on board for this committee. Why? It certainly was because I need another committee meeting.

• I wanted to find ways as we’re planning activities for our staff that I can integrate media and technology into those trainings, too.
• I wanted to be at the forefront of knowing what our building is working on implementing. I wanted to be ready to demonstrate how we are able to implement school-wide programs and make connections in the library media center.
• I wanted to know what resources I can provide to help our teachers as they start working with the new knowledge from the training.

It doesn’t matter what the training is — balanced literacy, writing, math, problem solving, etc. I attempt to participate as much as possible in these trainings with my teachers because I think it is very worthwhile. As I’m planning and working with teachers, I know what is expected and have had the same training so that the common knowledge we now share can help open the door to collaboration!

Tags:   library media specialists · professional developmentNo Comments