Reflection #7
Reflect on the semester's readings, discussions, assignments, etc. Has your vision changed? What are you looking forward to implementing in your school library program? What worries you about the profession? What are the challenges?
I have spent a lot of time reflecting on this semester’s readings, discussions, assignments, etc. I thought the textbooks were ok, the discussions were better, and the assignments were excellent. I can use every single assignment that was done in this class in my professional career right now. In fact, I am! I have referred to the class wiki’s many times to review articles that I had starred as “to read later”. The synthesis essay allowed me to pull what I felt were the most important aspects of the key issues affecting school library programs today: research, reading, technology, instruction, and advocacy. The environmental scan forced me to take a realistic look at the challenges the library I work in face. The social media assignment ended up being a blessing-in-disguise because I never would have looked at infographics unless I was assigned to that social media tool. I now think I have a much better appreciation for how beneficial the visual aspect is for a lot of learners. I’m incorporating many of the social media tools the class groups shared with each other into my school library program. I’m currently creating a VLC for my middle school library. I would not have known where to start if I hadn’t created one with my team. The PLC and infographic will be used for the rest of my career, although I’m sure it will look much different as my career grows.
As of today, my vision has not changed. I must say though, that my vision has had many ups and downs this semester. I was discouraged by the CSLA conference in November and specifically how many teacher librarians had been reassigned to teacher positions. The economy in California, and the general lack of school library programs in the CA schools, combine to create a frustrating view of the future for Teacher Librarians.
I am looking forward to implementing many things in my school library program. In the first paragraph, I mentioned that all of the assignments that we have done can (and are) be implemented in my school library program immediately. The item I’m most excited about implementing is the VLC. It will be so forward thinking for my school. I know it will get a lot of use and will really help pull the library “to the front of the technology pack” on our campus.
I’ve lamented many times about what worries me in the profession. To name a few concerns, the economy, the lack of school library programs in California schools, and the fact that TL’s have to constantly fight to justify their existence come to mind. These concerns are also the challenges for the profession. The bottom line for me thought is that being a Middle School Teacher Librarian is a passion of mine. I love being in a middle school library. That’s what I keep coming back to even when I’m feeling down about the industry.
I feel like I’ve written too much negative stuff this last month about the industry (at least I know I’ve been thinking a lot of negative stuff), and I’m feeling a little better about it, so I think I’ll leave it at that.
