As school leaders, librarians should reach out to new teachers and provide collegial support. After all, isn’t the library supposed to be the heart of the school? Not only is this showing a commitment to the profession of education, but it can pave the way for future collaboration and growth for the library program. In a recent Knowledge Quest article, Rebecca Morris outlines 5 steps for supporting new teachers:
- Offer to present at the back-to-school or ongoing induction programs.
- Prepare a collection of resources at the ready. (Passwords for databases; Catalog/OPAC tips; library map; Schedule, policies, hours, services; Professional resources.)
- Show interest and attention to the needs of new teachers.
- Give curricular support. Identify resources for a lesson or unit from the teacher’s grade level, and give the resources to the teacher to use in the classroom
- Communicate with cooperating teachers or college supervisors of student teachers and interns to convey the vision of today’s school library programs.
Morris, R.J. (2015). YOU’RE Hired!. Knowledge Quest, 43(5), 38-41.
Wong, Harry K., Ted Britton, and Tom Ganser. (2005). What the World Can Teach Us about New Teacher Induction. The Phi Delta Kappan 86 (5): 379–84.
Anything to support new teachers is so important.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post. It is hard for me to imagine that day almost 10 years ago, but just like you said "...excitement probably quickly turned into overwhelming anxiety as you stood in front of a classroom full of children on the first day of school, wondering how you were going to get through 179 more days." As we get ready to become a new librarains, we will be faced with a similar feeling. It is definitely important to help out those that are new to your building, especially if you are both new...you can help each other!
ReplyDeleteI think the 5 steps to supporting new teachers are a great way to 'win over' the new teachers. As we know, getting teachers to bring students to the library is somewhat challenging at times. If we can form a relationship with new teachers as soon as they come into the building, they will be more likely to bring students to us. I would give them information on what lessons I could do for them just as if everyone comes to the library for my services!! By the time they figure out not everyone comes, I will have them hooked!
ReplyDeleteAfter spending the last four years doing teacher prep. course work and student teaching last spring, I find it very interesting to think about the librarian supporting me as a new teacher. Through all of my classes we actually never mentioned the school library or the school librarian, which in retrospect is a possible reason why collaboration is so difficult with teachers, and I can't imagine a good reason why we never even had one discussion about it or what our expectations of the librarians should be. Thanks for sharing this information! It's very exciting to know that the things I am learning now will help me even if I do end up teaching and not being a librarian!
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