Recently I posted a request on collaborating with teachers below are the
responses I got. Thanks to all who responded. A big shout out to Toni
Buzzeo for her warm words of encouragement!
*Angela Williams*
*School Librarian*
*McKissick Elementary School*
*Easley, SC*
*angelawilliams@pickens.k12.sc.us* <angelawilliams@pickens.k12.sc.us>
**
**
*Angela Williams
**colettewilliams1968@gmail.com* <colettewilliams1968@gmail.com>
**
**
I hear such a tone of discouragement in your note, and I want to begin by
offering you some encouragement. As my colleague Peggy Becksvoort said
earlier today, the news is GOOD! You now have a supportive administrator.
As we read the library literature about collaboration, we read again and
again that the most important factor in creating a collaborative library
program is the support of an active and encouraging administrator. In one
important way, as Peggy points out, she can help you to overcome the
obstacle of a fixed schedule, over time. More immediately, she can assist
you in changing the culture in your building that causes your teachers to be
unwilling to collaborate. If she makes her expectations about
teacher/librarian collaboration clear to her staff, that will be an
excellent first step--and one you should ask for!
Meanwhile, find the newest or most open member of your faculty and begin
with that ONE alliance to create a collaborative partnership. If your
schedule is so full that it is impossible for you to engage in full
collaboration (team-planned, team-taught, and team-evaluated) then plan high
level coordination in which you plan and assess together but teach
independently in highly coordinated fashion.
I've got a really positive feeling about your situation changing over time!
It may be that my collaboration books (see my sig file) will also prove
helpful as you start your journey/
Best,
Toni Buzzeo, MA, MLIS
<mailto:tonibuzzeo@tonibuzzeo.com<tonibuzzeo@tonibuzzeo.com>
>
Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year Emerita
Buxton, ME 04093
http://www.tonibuzzeo.com
This is my first year, so I don't have a whole lot of exprience - but I
created this Zoomerang survey and sent to all teachers to solicit
collaboration ideas as well as other things. Hope it is of help for you!
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22AWM6AHCNT
--
Ellen Zschunke, School Library Media Specialist
Pine Road Elementary School, Lower Moreland Township School District
3737 Pine Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
ontheshelf4kids@gmail.com
http://ontheshelf4kids.blogspot.com
It sounds as though you were really discouraged by the lack of interest
shown in the past. I would tell the Principal that I am very interested in
collaborating and and wondering how we can work this around the fixed
schedules? Do not mention the previous attempts - other than to say, that
collaborating would be great and sometimes the fixed schedules seem to get
in the way. The next step: ask your new Principal for help in bringing one
teacher at a time on-board the collaboration train.
I have found that having an administrator who expects teachers to
collaborate with their librarian is a super way to get the process on track.
Then, when the teachers come to your door, use imagination and as much
persuasive rearranging of schedules as possible.
You can do this and have fun.
Peggy
Peg Becksvoort, LMS, NBCT
President, Maine Association of School Libraries
I don't think there is any one answer and I don't think it happens over
night. I was the first librarian to even suggest collaboration here at
Dodgeville High. The teacher's really didn't know how to begin
collaborating and I wasn't sure how either. It took me all year to get a
couple of the teachers to work with me. I just continued to let teachers
know that I am available.
I would suggest you figure out a one day project that you would like to work
on, think of a teacher that would likely work with you and start there.
Others will hear about your success and be more likely to work with you in
the future.
Zena McFadden
Librarian, Dodgeville High School
917 Chapel St.
Dodgeville, WI 53573
This is my third year at my current school. My first year, I asked the
teachers for copies of their yearlong themes or a list of the units they
would be covering - just something to go by when I was trying to tie in
lessons in the library with what was going on in the classroom and so I
would have and idea of what was needed if I made any purchases. I got 1 or
2, but that was it. All year I kept talking to the kids about what they
were studying and offering the teachers materials I thought they might
like. When anyone requested something, I made sure I found it or a great
substitute material along with a few extras.
Last year, my second at that school, I asked for updated copies of their
units and themes - because I knew they had done grade-level planning over
the summer. I received something from each grade level - some in more
detail than others. Several of the teachers had figured out that I still
have a lot of my materials at home from when I was in the regular classroom
and I am willing to share. The word started spreading and I would get
stopped in the hallway and someone would ask, "Can I borrow that great book
you loaned so-and-so last year?" At the end of the year some of the grade
levels went ahead and did their planning before we all left for vacations,
etc. I invited myself to the meetings and made suggestions of materials to
include or books to do a class read-aloud. Then I borrowed the teacher's
editions for the 3rd-5th grade social studies and science textbooks and made
copies of the pages that had the suggested lists of trade books to use with
each unit. I searched the library catalog and highlighted on the lists the
titles we already had. The guidance teacher heard about what I was doing
and made me a copy of the titles that go along with her curriculum and
brought it to me so I could do the some thing for her.
When we came back to school this fall (my third year there), I had been
scrounging the used book stores all summer and had boxes of books from those
lists to add to the library collection. I had a show&tell time at one of
our first staff meetings and spread everything out for them to look over. A
few days later we had some teachers from another school come over to meet
with their grade level cohorts from our building. I put out snacks in the
library and went around and greeted each group. All of my teachers told the
visitors that the library used to be a cold, unwelcoming place - but that it
has really changed since I got there, and that I was the best librarian in
the world because I tried so hard to get them what they asked for.
Patience really does pay off - so hang in there. The word will spread. :-)
Suzanne Costner
School Library Media Specialist
Fairview Elementary School (K-5)
Maryville, TN
Angela. I believe you have the majority with no desire from teachers to
"C" Most simply do not want to bother or get bothered. Perhaps start with
one. start small where shcedule allows. I look forward to your fresh hit.
I will see if i have any saved. u might try archives too.
rajoyce59@verizon.net
I work in a middle school, and we hare BIG in collaboration. I meet first
with department chairs, and then plan a schedule to rotate departments
during collaboration. (We meet once a week, so I can see four departments
in a month). I generally ask four questions, 1) what is your upcoming units
2) if you could make the unit better in any way what would you add i.e.
research, a new video, materials, etc. 3) What can I do to help you in your
classroom?
I have had a lot of success once I go out and find materials for their
classroom. They begin to see me and the library as a valuable resource.
Also, once teachers have come and allowed me to teach in their classroom
research skills and literacy skills I am welcomed back many times through
the year. I feel you have to build a trust through successful teaching and
collaboration scenarios.
I hope this helps.
Amanda Porter
Rocky Mountain Middle School
Heber City, Utah
amanda.porter@wasatch.edu
Why don’t you start collaborating with some schools overseas (I live in
South Africa) and then maybe they'll get the message?
Offer to assess the work and give the teachers a mark - they will surely be
happy to have items already marked!
Offer to complete a section of their curriculum for them that they don’t
enjoy teaching!
Best of luck - its a long and slow road with *trust* being the key word!
Carolynn Bruton
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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, you send a message 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
* To contact an LM_NET Moderator: LM_NET-request@listserv.syr.edu
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
* LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home