Preparing for leadership LIB 604 Libraries in the School Curriculum Spring 2009

2 What is Leadership? At its essence, leading is all about relationships – growing the connections among individuals that permit collective, collaborative thinking and action. Leaders motivate, join forces in articulating a common vision and goals, and support others in conceiving and implementing plans for action. October 10, 2015 Preparing for Leadership

Leadership is a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who choose to follow, and any discussion of leadership must attend to the dynamics of this relationship. Leadership is a Relationship Leadership is a Relationship by Barry Z. Posner, PhD, Dean and professor of leadership at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University October 10, Preparing for Leadership Leadership is relationship?

4 Is there a leader type? We say, “So-and-so is a born leader.” No such thing. Leadership is a relationship between a person and a group plus the skills to guide the group to success. As with any relationship, success depends on both parties. One group’s stellar leader may fail utterly when leading another group. Stever Robbins: Stever Column - The Essence of LeadershipStever Column - The Essence of Leadership October 10, 2015 Preparing for Leadership 4

5 Leadership in context Leadership is not just dependent on an individual’s unique qualities. “Successful leaders have learned to view their organizations’ environment in a holistic way.” 9 They understand and model the core values of the institution. Leading on the Wave of Change Knowledge Quest on the Web: January/February 2001 Debbie Abilock, Editor 9 Leading on the Wave of Change Debbie Abilock October 10, 2015 Preparing for Leadership 5

6 Are Teachers Leaders? Teachers provide a powerful and insightful voice regarding decisions about school change because teachers have knowledge of local school conditions... a teacher’s power is essential both within and beyond the walls of the classroom. October 10, 2015 Preparing for Leadership 6 eJournal BC Educational Leadership Research. Issue 3. March 16, 2006 Taylor Webb

7 Teacher leaders Various studies indicate that effective teacher leadership involves a move away from top-down, hierarchical modes of functioning and a move toward shared decision- making, teamwork, and community building. Teachers as Leaders in Education ReformTeachers as Leaders in Education Reform. ERIC Digest. by Wynne, Joan October 10, 2015 Preparing for Leadership 7

8 School Librarians as Leaders A curricular leader and a full participant on the instructional team, the library media specialist constantly updates personal skills and knowledge in order to work effectively with teachers, administrators, and other staff--both to expand their general understanding of information issues and to provide them with specific opportunities to develop sophisticated skills in information literacy, including the uses of information technology. Roles and Responsibilities of the School Library Media Specialist October 10, 2015Preparing for Leadership8

9 Media Specialist Leadership October 10, 2015 Preparing for Leadership 9

10 LMS Leadership Pays Off! Academic achievement increases when school librarians are leaders in their schools. Library media specialists who seek leadership roles and partnerships with administrators create strong library media programs translating into academic achievement. This is an indirect relationship. That is, leadership translates to higher collaboration with teachers in creating quality learning experiences that in turn, has a direct impact on academic achievement. David Loertscher, Powering Achievement: School Library media Programs Make a Difference October 10, 2015Preparing for Leadership10

11 Finding from Colorado:  Loertscher: Leadership and Achievement PowerPoint Slides For Colorado (and other) studies see School Library Impact Studies PowerPoint SlidesSchool Library Impact Studies

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14 Preparing for Leadership?

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16 Applying Action Research Understanding the concept and process of action research will prepare the library media specialist to take a leadership role in improving both the library media center and the entire school program.

17 Evidence-Based Practice Evidence-Based Practice is not complicated. It is a simple process of paying attention to what you do and keeping a record of how that helps teachers and students. As Ross Todd explains, Evidence-Based Practice is “knowing and showing how the school library program helps students learn.” For more information on Evidence- Based Practice, please click here.click here

18 Instructions: Go to the action research project you wish to participate in and read, comment on, or add your own action research project done in your school. Are Two Heads Better Than One? When Collaboration Doesn’t Work and When It Does Ban Those Bird Units