Re: GEN: assistant vs. professional

[Vicki Walker <vwalker@sacs.k12.in.us>]

Christopher,
There is a great deal of info in employing a professional rather than a
paraprofessional. Unfortunately I am at home and do not have those sources
readily at hand. I am sure that other LM_NET members will note these sources.

However, your argument is already made for you. What evidence do you have to
show the administration that these 2 professionals have made a full-time
profound impact on the school? Collaboration projects? Professional development
workshops? Kept the schools open after hours? Sent helpful newsletters to
faculty regarding new equipment or materials that will help the teachers better
teach their curricula?

Enlist the faculty in these schools to help you with evidence. If the faculty
doesn't feel strong enough to go to battle for these 2 full-time people, then
maybe they haven't made an impact and a part-time person is o.k. Yes, I do
understand about union politics and teachers who don't know a good media center
looks like from a storage shed, but you have to try. The more support you can
get the better.

Unfortunately, these people have to help themselves. If an employee can't tell
me 3 ways that he/she contributes to the organization and makes it a better
place without thinking about it or getting back to me later, then it makes me
wonder about the efficacy of keeping them.

My best wishes to you because I truly believe that every student needs to
attend a school that has an active, welcoming, proactive media center operated
by a professional who has a deep interest in making students better people and
helping them grow. I am not an advocate for maintaining the status quo if the
status quo is mediocrity.

Vicki Walker
Director of Instructional Media K-12
Southwest Allen County Schools
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
vwalker@sacs.k12.in.us



Christopher Owens,cowens@d64.k12.il.us,Internet writes:
>I only recently joined LM_NET but have already been impressed by all the =
>good information trading hands. I would request any ideas anyone has on =
>the following  situation. My district is currently debating the issue of =
>having one library professional working halftime at both middle schools or =
>getting one fulltime assistant for each building. (The cost is basically =
>the same.) Each LRC also has one fulltime professional, one fulltime =
>assistant and one fulltime tech assistant.
>
>Of course, I want to defend keeping a professional position vs. an =
>assistant and need to list some reasons in defense of this position. I =
>have some ideas, but I'm sure many of you can add some great ideas on the =
>topic (within the next week, if possible).
>
>TIA,
>Chris Owens
>Library Media Specialist
>Emerson & Lincoln Middle Schools
>Park Ridge, IL
>cowens@d64.k12.il.us
>
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