Marathon Session Revisited

Meet with group 23 for another marathon session, Aug.31,2009. I had a bit of a brainstorm with the presentation. I was reading an article the night before by Burdenuk and realized that a real goal for TL could be to help break down the classroom walls of isolation and encourage collaboration. From the breaking down wall I went to opening doors to teacher networks. I found that this idea fit in brilliantly with our presentation. We just need to tweak some slides a bit and we could use the metaphor of opening doors as a visual. I was so excited about the idea that I wanted to tell the group right away, but by that time it was late in Australia and I knew I would have to wait till the next day. I wrote them all and email about the idea and crossed my fingers. Everyone ended up on board and felt the same way I did, that this idea brought cohesion to the presentation. We went through the slides, yet another time. It isn’t exactly my vision but with the collaboration of our group it must actually be better. It is easier for me to say yes to something I don’t exactly agree now that the big picture is clear. I need to work on the action research flow chart and get that looking just right. I now believe we would get the money funding needed for creating our article for educational leadership. We are close to finished. Deep breathe!

The Collaborative Way: Bringing Down the Walls

We had a marathon meeting last evening that lasted for 2 hours and 26 minutes. I can't quite run a triathlon in that time but close.

This seemed to be a coming out of the chaos and creating more consensus meeting. I am not sure why it happened and can only think that it was either due to the fact that we just wanted to move on or that others felt validated and heard and were willing to move on. I can't really decided if it really matters whether I know the reason or not, or if I should just be glad that we are moving in a positive direction.

Guidelines for Action:

1. Know Thyself

2. Learn more-I embrace this one

3. Maintain Integrity

4. Persevere

5. Create a vision: A School Library that is best for the world will develop students who can learn, unlearn, and re-learn.

6. Think big, start small

7. Focus on something important, like Instructional Leadership.

8. Decide what you are not going to do. Like take 5 hours of someone's class because they are out. I am not a substitute.

9. Build networks

Carl Glickman tells a great story in the conclusion, learn it.

After reading Burdenuk's article called LEADERSHIP AND THE TEACHER LIBRARIAN, I want to throw a wrench into the whole process again. (see notes below) I feel we have time for more cognitive conflict, but I am not sure we have the energy. I have a feeling that we are barking up the wrong tree and what we should really be thinking about is decreasing teacher isolation rather than increasing student learning. Burdenuk states, that teacher isolation "may be the single most important factor preventing the integration of the school library into the curriculum of the school. Bringing down these walls may in the end create better student learning, morale and most important a culture of change.

So the big question is do I bring up this idea or go with the flow???

Reflection

Reflection:

August 23, 2009

Just spent 2 hours and 13 minutes on a skype conference call with my team. It felt like a bit of a marathon that you are are glad is over but you feel great that you did it. Reflecting on the time spent, I tend to think that I talk to much and have an opinion on everything. We all seem able to agree to disagree and talk out the minor conflict to a place that feels right. We seem to have taken on our roles with Helen as our scripture, and Rachel as the listeners, and Melanie as the praiser for others but not herself. We seem to be learning about each others strengths and how to use them best. I would say that so far it has been a very satisfying experience. Today we actually seemed to be synthesizing information from our learning. Really creating new content from our own flow chart. It will be an interesting process to see where we move next. I was questioning our ending conversation but we were entering an unknown region on the edge of chaos but it is all about using our learning creatively. I do worry about to much text and feel that we need to add visual media. A picture is worth a 1000 words.