5 things Teacher Librarians can do to make themselves valued

A great article by Audrey Church about "Ten things that your school administrators need to know for the start of the (American) school year" sparked some discussion amongst colleagues about how do you make yourself and your role within your school visible, transparent and valued; even if the educational administration of your school doesn't support you.

It is hard to believe, but there are some schools out there that can't see the worth of a school library or employing teacher librarians. And then there are some colleagues in leadership positions in schools who would much rather see teacher librarians trained as baristas.

I am sure that this instagram post was only meant as a joke, but it emotes a much wider view by some educational leaders that teacher librarians are a waste of time ....

So how do you make yourself visible, and hopefully intern, valued?

1. We can build social capital within our school.
2. We can redefine what it means to be a Teacher Librarian.
3. We can encourage and build on the reading culture within our school.
4. We can shatter the idea that Teacher Librarians are all about books by focusing on service rather than product.
5. We can show that we are continually improving (Kaizen) upon what it is we are doing by evaluating and reflecting on our role within the school.