As I read this chapter I thought to myself, "Alison would not like this!" :-)
Overall, I thought this chapter had a lot to offer. But, I have to admit, I came away thinking, if we did all this we'd be exhausted...it is overwhelming. Burnout comes to mind when I read of all that we should be doing. I think the best approach is to select one or two areas to focus on and work on just that...small, manageable chunks at a time. Later, on page 106, I was relieved when Buzzeo talked about choosing 5 items to target, and giving ourselves a timeline and action plan to accomplish this. Sounds like a plan to me. I am glad she recognizes that this chapter is overflowing with ideas, but reading it reminds me just how essential advocacy is!
I also liked breaking down the ways one can be an advocate: inform, engage, support, enlist and lead.
Marcia and I were leaving the last board meeting when Garry said to us to be sure and keep getting the accolades we've been getting. We've always been good advocates for our program, I believe it is now more important than ever.
Personally I need to be better at advocating and leading at my building. I think the suggestion to get involved and doing in-service training (esp. in technology) is a good one, but one that I don't relish doing. I worry about keeping myself up on all the technology!
Perhaps Ellen or Marcia can remember what Ross Todd said about advocacy? He made a comment about it at the start of his workshop, it was a good point, but darn if I can remember what is was??? Help!
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Wow - so much to accomplish - and as I read I kept thinking of the recent Zmuda conference - so as I am digesting all the ways to advocate for collaboration, I am also thinking about how I may need to redefine the focus of my collaborative efforts and I am totally overwhelmed. Buzzeo suggests selecting five efforts with a timeline but with recent conferences in my mind, I am thinking that if I tackle just one( ID deficits and focus my efforts on those - boldly listed on p. 102). With those conferences in mind, I feel the need to be very thoughtful in how efforts are structured so that are not extensions of classroom efforts lessons and that I want to focus and share efforts that are truly something unique to what can be offered by the library program.
ReplyDeleteHow timely this is as I meet with my principal and curriculum specialist tomorrow a.m. I have to confess that when you're working with the 3rd principal in less than 5 years, it almost feels like burnout in trying to inform them of our role and educational responsibilities. I will certainly mention Zmuda's reminder that I have been hired to teach students.
ReplyDeleteLater in the week I meet with 6th grade Soc. St. teachers to look at the Medieval unit in prep for the Medieval Day celebration.
I will make sure to examine the data to be informed about the weaker areas of our students and how that can inform our unit.
In creating an advocacy action plan I have included:
-monthly report (it's a weakness of mine)
-taking lunch time with faculty (right now I'm eating with secretaries)
-arranging to meet with LOTE department, music dept. and various teams to be part of their planning
WOW! Look at us go! Marcia, I love your action plan. Four steps, attainable but affective! And Ellen's comments about focusing on efforts that are truly unique to what can be offered by the library program is very insightful. I agree.
ReplyDeleteAs a district, we're doing the "inform" big time this year. Having the column in the FOCUS is a great start. Now if we can go a bit further with our ideas from last year with getting the ad council grant (if it's available), put together a column for one of the local papers, the PR possibilities are pretty spectacular...
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping with our K-5 insert in the summer reading program, and our possible trifold for distribution will keep us in the "public eye" (couldn't think of anything else to write there).
This year, the library was included in the parent brochures (for each grade level) and the Parent Handbook. Does anyone else have anything like that in their buildings?
Should we come up with a welcome card or something for new board members that will be elected this year? How about a note to the outgoing board members thanking them for all their support over the years?
By the way, should we get a copy of this book to Garry? Just a thought.
I have an extra copy of the book from the conference. I think sending it to Garry is a great idea- I will do that ASAP. I also like the idea of the welcome/thank you notes! Suzanne, you are the PR queen!
ReplyDelete