Previous by Date | Next by Date | Date Index
Previous by Thread | Next by Thread
| Thread Index
| LM_NET
Archive
| |
I faced a similar problem last year, my second year as a media specialist (I'm lateral entry, working on my MLIS) in a Pre-K through 5th grade school. I had no assistant, am the only "technology person" at the school and the webmaster. It was decided to have "specials" (including media) every week (instead of the former alternating weeks) for 50-minute periods (instead of the previous 30 minutes). Add in open circulation time, and there wasn't time to get other work done. With taking 2 grad classes a semester (one of which was cataloging!), I was worn out. I found that the best thing to do was to complain constructively. What is hard for us is that no one else (typically) understands our job. Here in NC, the media specialist is a member of the school's Leadership Team. I checked with other media specialists in the district and found out I had far more instructional time than almost all of my peers. I found research showing the benefits of flex scheduling and flex access, including info from ALA. I found information from the state dept. of public instruction stating that flex is best. I showed my job description and evaluation form and how they discuss collaboration and flex access. I explained to the principal that I could NOT do it all and do it well. I got some concessions when I met with some of the representative teachers and the principal---we have a lot of teaching assistants, so it was decided that the teacher or assistant would come for the last 20 minutes to check out books. It did not work smoothly--they were always forgetting/something came up/one teacher blatantly refused to do it and the principal didn't make her. Anyway, I made my voice heard about what my non-teaching tasks are, and they said they realized this wasn't ideal for last year and next year would be different. I made sure to explain that it was because of my schedule that I couldn't help out as I'd done the previous year. I also stayed friendly to everyone--and I do like them all as people. It was an INCREDIBLY hard year--the assistants didn't understand why they were supposed to come to the media center and thought I was abandoning them when it was supposed to be a chance for me to get some other work done. So...as it looks for the coming year, I will have flex scheduling. This is not so much my doing as the district's--due to new "healthy children" requirements and an influx of Hispanics to the area, there will be PE twice a week and Spanish beginning in Kindergarten--the guidance counselor and I don't have to teach on a fixed schedule. We have a new principal, so I'll have to see how that goes. I plan to give her articles about the benefits of flex scheduling, along with the state DPI information. I was supposed to get 2 assistants (we are adding middle school a grade at a time) but the (former) principal decided to use those spots in other ways, so I'll share that info to my advantage. I am excited and nervous to do flex scheduling, and know that I need to be out there giving giving giving to get the teachers on board. My husband is pessimistic about it, and I am the eternal optimist (only it hasn't been much fun being optimistic about this). I also tried to look for another job, but because I am without my MLIS yet, I could not get one. In May I will have it and if things haven't improved, I will look elsewhere. The only positives about last year were 1. I am a survivor! and 2. I developed a body of "media lessons" for if I ever get stuck with fixed scheduling from people who only see media as a teacher "planning time." I wish you the best--we really need to educate the educators about what we do, so that they don't think that non-teaching time means non- working time. I am hoping for a chance to do curriculum mapping, collection mapping, pathfinders, etc. I want the staff to see that, by using flexible scheduling, the teachers and the students BOTH benefit in ways far more helpful than that weekly restroom break! (I am a former classroom teacher, and I know what I'm saying!) Janis Fox, Media Specialist Triangle Lake Montessori School High Point, NC 27260 jnsyr@infionline.net -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------