Eighth week

I want to talk more about relationships with teachers, and how that affects my work.

I have always felt that my job is to support BOTH students and teachers at school. This can be with books, helping find the right book for the right person, with research or teaching about research, or with technology or teaching about technology. But as I look back, I have concentrated on helping students, and only assisting teachers when they asked for help.

This pilot project has forced me to try to help teachers when I wasn't even sure that they wanted any help. My job is to "help teachers implement new technology in the classroom." That is a big statement, and I have spent a lot of my time this first trimester clarifying what that will look like. Clarifying has been very helpful and I will continue to do that.

But what has been the best surprise of the project is getting to know some teachers that I did not know before (very well, anyway), and building professional relationships that I value greatly. I have three teachers now that I regularly talk to, ask advice of, and share things with. They have enhanced my understanding of teaching -- and they are great to know!

For example, my principal just asked me for some advice on spending some technology money. Whereas before I would have asked other Media Specialists for help, today I went to a couple of teachers and talked to them. This makes a lot more sense, because the money is for MY school, and I want to use technology to specifically aid OUR students. So it was very fun to go to these teachers, get their input, kick around some ideas, and know that we will continue to talk about what is best for the students.

Yay teachers!