Professional Development Plan
I have completed one and a half years as an active library media specialist. In this short time, I have become aware of the important role that the library media center plays in a school community. The library is used as a teacher preparation time in my district, and the library is seen as a place where students go for an hour every week to check out books. This limited view is what I would like to change. I was a classroom teacher for ten years before I acquired this position, and I did not know the many advantages for collaborating with the library media specialist. My goal is to effectively communicate what the library can do to improve student achievement and collaborate with teachers to enhance their curriculum using the library media center and my new expertise.
To meet these goals, I will use what I have learned in Mansfield’s Library Advocacy course (5530) and Instructional Collaboration (5501). According to the Mansfield Competency Checklist, the SLMS must excel in many areas. Among these, I would like to focus on the following:
IA. Instructional collaboration with school staff that integrates curricula content with access to and use of resources in varied formats. The school librarian can:
· Design, write, and implement a curriculum which fully integrates information management skills and the use of information in the educational program.
IC. Media Center resources and collections. The school librarian will know:
· Traditional forms of print and audiovisual resources as well as online services.
· Curriculum materials produced for children & young adults.
These competencies fall in Domain 3: Delivery of Service, according to Charlotte Danielson. Library Media Specialists should consult the school staff when selecting materials for the collection. We should help classroom teachers in designing lessons that incorporate information literacy skills that we will build upon year after year. We should help staff and students become proficient using Follett’s Destiny to locate and access resources that fit their needs. In an effort to accomplish these tasks, the following Professional Development Plan outlines a few of the goals that will help make the library media center an “essential link” in student achievement.
Work Cited
Danielson, Charlotte. Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching, 2nd edition.
Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2007. Print
Professional Education Plan
Implementation Year 2010-2011
Michelle Wetzel
Target Area from “Framework for SLMSs: Components of Professional Practice”
Domain 3: Delivery of Service
Focus:
3a: Maintaining and extending the library collection in accordance with the school’s needs and within budget limitations.
3b: Collaborating with teachers in the design of instructional units and lessons.
3d: Assisting students and teachers in the use of technology in the library/media center.
GOAL
With the goal of making the library an essential resource for students, school staff, and the community, I want to make preparations for the design and implementation of an information skills curriculum. In doing so, I must educate myself on the various online resources that are available.
Specific Objectives
- School Objective
To meet the specific needs of staff and students by designing and implementing an information skills curriculum for the 2010-2011 school year.
- Community Objective
To learn about and hold after-school information sessions pertaining to the available online resources for students. If parents know about the many features and online options, the online resources will be used more effectively.
- State & National Objective
To attend the annual PSLA conference in May 2010 with the goal of gaining strategies (information literacy and technology) to apply to Chatham Park Elementary’s Library Media Center.
Describe how this goal will improve student learning
Students will gain necessary information literacy skills in the context of their school studies. Research skills, resource access, use, and evaluation, and technology use will lead students to build a foundation for life-long learning.
Methods/Strategies/Activities
1. Collaborate with district SLMS’ and designate tasks for curriculum development (September 2010)
Research information skills curricula online through library organizations and listservs..
(December 2010 & April 2011)
Lead staff development session on operating OPAC and online databases. (October 2010 & January 2011)
Collaborate on curriculum-based projects, using information skills curriculum. (School Year 2010-2011)
- Plan a series on family nights, enlisting the help of other colleagues to educate parents so that they can help their children research at home. (April 2011)
- Find out when and where the PSLA conference will be held. Find a substitute, if needed.
Book a hotel, and attend the conference. (April-May 2011)
Resources/Research/Support or Funding Needed
- Attend online and summer workshops to learn about and develop a presentation of Follett’s Destiny Circulation System.
Describe the features of the software, including finding resources, making lists, and student features. Acquire laptops and SmartBoard for hands-on instruction and practice.
Visit other elementary school librarians and learn about how they collaborate with their staff- what works and what doesn’t work.
- Discuss the importance of educating families about available online resources with teachers and principal. Support of SLMS colleagues is needed for presentation details.
- Funding will be needed to attend the conference- write a grant or use school funds allocated for professional development. Support from my principal will be necessary to have some time away from school. Transportation and conference fees may be covered by the district.
