My Journey

It is interesting to look at how my view of my role is changing. I came into my TL positions from a Secondary teaching position not knowing much about the role of the TL. My experience of a TL in my school had not been positive although I knew I could look at sending students to get help from the TL in the library. At the time I was quite hesitant in sending small groups but after reading about flexible scheduling I see it as a component. This is quite apt as in my role as a TL I was not always positive about teachers sending a few students to search the library but I see now that I could be utilising this more effectively but I have to make the teachers aware of the best practice in doing this. I was also against flexible scheduling - I wanted classes there at specific times so I knew when the library was free and I could do my other work. Again as part of my learning curve I am coming around to the idea of flexible learning.

I also am more confident in my ability to be a leader in my schools in this position. I don't think I saw me as a TL as a leader but as an aide, which reduced my standing in the teachers' eyes. I think I am a stronger person with a better awareness of where I want my library to go in the school. I also think that with my teaching background I have that experience to help with collaborating with teachers and feel quite comfortable. My journey in this subject is continuing but it is nice to be consolidating information about my role and position in the school. I feel I have initiated some of these components but didn't feel that it was my place to make them a project in the school, now I do.