It takes a village to raise a teacher librarian - Mentoring at its best
Written by Kathy Talbot, Teacher Librarian, St Francis Xavier College
Kathy is presenting at the Capacity Building School Libraries Conference in Melbourne on 17-18 June, and in Brisbane on 5-6 August 2022.
Life is a journey. Some might say, being a teacher librarian is a life and journey of itself - a lifelong journey. My journey commenced in 2018 and is one I couldn’t have done, let alone start, without my mentors. It wasn’t until I truly took the time to reflect on my journey from teacher in library to teacher librarian (TL), that I realised I formed a village of my own. Each one of them supporting me with their knowledge and experiences continues to empower my own practice, allowing me to enact highly accomplished pedagogy and make an impact on teaching and learning.
I will tell you now, where there is a great TL, there is great teaching and learning happening. I have been fortunate over the past few years to have been mentored by some inspirational teacher librarians, and some great school leaders. I hope this reflection will highlight just how valuable a mentor is, inside and outside the library world, in keeping this profession alive and building stronger school communities to support teaching and learning.
I have been teaching in schools for nearly 20 years - teaching pre-K to Year 12 in that time. Personally, and professionally, I have always been a person who thrives when working with others. So, I always sought out people who I could learn from and develop rigorous working relationships with. Now, as I progress through my own teacher librarian story, I see myself going from strength to strength in supporting teaching and learning, with much thanks to those who have guided me.
It all began when I was asked to job-share in a primary school library, with a wonderful friend and TL. Megan and I had been friends for years before we shared the primary library role. I went in thinking I wouldn’t stay too long in the library as I didn’t think I had it in me. Being great friends, she knew me well enough to know how I could contribute to the profession. So, it didn’t take long for me to learn from her that being in the library is where magic can happen. Meg shared the joys and challenges of the TL world with me which excited me, and I began to take my first steps - I was ready for a career change. That said it took another 3 years for me to enrol at Charles Sturt University (CSU). I was happy to explore and play the teacher in library role in the primary school setting in the meantime. More about this journey can be found in a CSU’s Insight article, The Benefits of Upskilling: Kathy's Story. Yes! You could say I was a ‘poster child’ for 15 seconds.
Friends bring us joy and support us in ways we often don’t realise ourselves, to have one as a mentor is really hitting the jackpot. Through Meg, I was able to begin forming skills and understand the value of a TL in any school. Together we developed programs that brought the library lessons to life, and I began to see this was a life for me.
A couple of years in of being in the library our school adopted a new principal, one whom I hold great respect for. I met Brad early on my journey to become a TL, I had just enrolled at CSU. I knew I lacked some skills and I needed to collaborate with staff more, advocate for my role and support the curriculum through library lessons. All were areas of growth for me, and I shared this need to learn with him. He mentored me with his leadership, sharing experiences, working with me to improve my approach with staff and being a great support in times of trial and error, as well as success. This happened because we collaborated to solve problems, planning and implementing ideas. As a mentor, Brad encouraged me, laughed with (and sometimes at) me and most importantly he was patient with me. The stars truly aligned when I worked with him while completing the subject TL as Leader so I was fully immersed in theory and practices that I now apply to building relationships, dealing with conflict, and leading from the middle as all TLs do so well.
Working and studying to be a TL was a tough gig and the best thing I could have done. I was able to consolidate what I was learning, while also being able to include real life experiences in my reflections. This all made for deeper learning and being able to make the connections which allowed me to work smarter not harder in both areas. During the first year of my Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) (MEdTeachLib), I was fortunate to have a second mentor, Keryn. We worked for different directorates in a joint facility library, which was situated in the middle of a shared campus of a Catholic and a Government primary school. Keryn guided me through the intricacies of the role that can’t be taught at university, eg. budget, purchasing and management of the space. We developed a fantastic working relationship and friendship. Keryn showed me courage and nurtured my passion towards advocating for the role of TL - which continues today at both school and systemic level. As my knowledge and confidence grew, I was beginning to find my stride, settling into the TL world in the primary context.
Part way through the second year of my degree I was offered a position at my current school, where I (still) work with my long-time friend, Erin. In my role as TL for a Catholic 7-12 College, I have expanded my skills beyond what I even thought possible. I remember thinking while I was studying, ‘What is my niche? How will I be different from other TLs?’ Through Erin’s leadership and mentoring, she provided opportunities for me to find my own way, apply my knowledge, and develop beyond what I thought myself capable of. I consider my niche, or strengths, to be assessment development and design, building relationships and supporting students through assessment. The success I am having in working with executive staff, coordinators and classroom teachers on our school assessment committee; Learning Commons team; and developing skills with staff and students all comes down to collaborative practice, sharing knowledge and space to give new ideas a go.
Since working with Erin and completing my MEdTeachLib, I have been empowered to apply best practice; enact through innovation; and impact on student learning and collaborating with staff. Empower, Enact and Impact truly sums up what a TL can be and do in a school community. With the support and guidance of my mentors, I have gained knowledge and confidence to inform and support the future of teaching and learning.
It was in the high school context that I met Lori, through our College Moderation Days. She has become a great friend and another mentor. Lori challenges me to see my role beyond the school context. Here I am writing an article, inspired by my preparation from presenting at National Conferences… Wait, what!?! Never in a million years did I see this for myself, nor could I think myself capable of marking for a degree I recently completed, at Charles Sturt University, but here I am taking the world by storm. Lori is one of those leaders and mentors who really sees the potential in others and sparks joy in the profession.
As a TL, it is very easy to become siloed in what we do, even though we are naturally collaborative beings, so it makes sense that we build networks, or villages, that allow us to feel united. It has worked well for me, to the point that I am mentoring other TLs now myself. Mentoring teacher librarians is a part of what keeps our village strong and connected, beyond that I mentor classroom teachers through planning, advocacy and building relationships, an opportunity to support others. Mentoring is a two way street that empowers everyone to find their spark and encourages growth and ambition; builds confidence to be innovative; and guides them to make an impact in their school community. I am a successful and newly qualified TL, but not without my village who continues to raise me. I feel very privileged to call each of my mentors my friends, so get yourself a village, and find the people who give light to your spark.
References:
Charles Sturt University (CSU). (2020). Upskilling with postgrad studies. In Insight Study. https://insight.study.csu.edu.au/upskilling-with-postgrad-studies/
Kathy is presenting at the Capacity Building School Libraries Conference in Melbourne on 17-18 June, and in Brisbane on 5-6 August 2022.