"There is little to no independent reading assigned," which provoked the response, "So the students are never introduced to modern YA books?" If they are, it is not through the school.
The plan also calls for the monthly and weekly PLC meetings to include specialist teachers in the implementation of Common Core Language Arts standards. Great ground work for collaboration, ...if it was in effect.
I went to talk with administration about my role as a Media Specialist in the high school, wanting to find somewhere to begin. I was told that the Union insisted I be given the same duties as a classroom teacher, and when it came to collaboration, "the teachers would never go for it." So there I was, demeaned to supervising study halls and tech practice programs in the media center. I was not to be given time to work with individual ELL students or those on 504 plans. I was not be involved in any planning for the library's future, with the unstated opinion that developing literacy and libraries are far from the top of priorities.
"We have a lot of needs here and our kids normally don't read, and we need to do everything that we can to get our kids to read because they deserve it. It can make a difference in your life. It could mean you go read a book instead of doing something that is not good for you."
So I believe I must state my case again, share what expertise I have developed and work towards collaboration by gaining support for goals that will benefit everybody.
First, to answer the Union I include a link to the responsibilities of the job as posted by the school board. They do not include teaching, but developing, evaluating, supervising, informing, promoting, establishing, participating, assisting, maintaining, training, updating, ordering and maintaining.
True collaboration only occurs between equal partners, each executing different but important aspects of instruction. I was advised to think of my role as a servant leader to allow others to see the value of my contribution, especially in technology. I begin by providing the teachers with products for their needs, then suggest other materials or programs. Inserting myself into the Language Arts PLC's will also help. There is money available but ordering is time consuming and new technology requires training. It would be easy to just write off the HS media center because students have one-to-one Chromebooks and "don't read anyway." But there is much to be done, and the students deserve an equal chance.
This means we must stock the HS library with 'light reading', that which leads to a better attitude towards independent reading. The school can provide materials that the parents will not wish to buy. To enhance the element of 'choice' students shouldn't be forced to read something in which they had no part in picking. They will only see it, and the required AR tests as punishment.
Most students will find their choice of reading material in the media center if the library is stocked with modern YA books that students will want to read. It is up to the teachers and media specialist to collaborate in finding those books that both support the curriculum and bring pleasure. When in the media center students must also be allowed a choice of how they read: with a partner, in a book group, out-loud, on audio-tape or smartphone, or alone in a comfy quiet corner.
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