Anyone else in this situation?

[Rhonda Amstutz]

My principal called yesterday and talked to me about the possibility that I may need to teach one class period of an elective (probably a research class). I am a librarian at the jr. high level. I am not up in arms about this, yet. Mostly, I am worried about scheduling. Any advice?

[Kathleen Reeves]

Rhonda,

I, too, am a MS librarian and I can't figure out how you are going to do this. Will the library be closed during this period? How will you accomodate other classes at this time? Do you have an aide? I'm really curious to see how this plays out. If it were me, I'd try to talk your principal out of it.
Keep us posted, okay?
Kathleen

[Barbara Jansen]

Rhonda, I agree with Kathleen. I'd talk your principal out of this. You should be available for teachers to collaborate and schedule with you to teach informaiton and communications technology skills to their classes at point of need. If you have a regularly scheduled class when a teacher needs you, then her students will not get the best possible instruction and their learning will suffer.

[Shonda Brisco]

I agree. Let your principal know that you would be much better "teaching students research IN CONTEXT of the assignment" rather than teaching them "research" that isn't being used at the moment. Remind your principal that working with teachers and becoming a "teaching partner" makes much more of an impact on student achievement than teaching the information in isolation.

[Rhonda Amstutz]

Well--an update--I will not be teaching a class period. After discussing the situation it was decided that it would indeed be best for the library to be available at all times to all teachers and students! YEA!!! Can I have an amen, sisters? Thanks for your wise words and encouragement. Here is to a great year! Rhonda

[Kathleen Reeves]

AMEN, SISTER!

[Patty Windsor]

I'm glad they decided not to have you teach a class. We did have a middle school librarian in our district who taught an English class one year. So it's not unheard of. It was not the best situation.