Learning on the Road

A large part of this new position is traveling to provide professional learning, support, and advocacy for school systems and library media programs. One goal I have adopted in January is to intentionally plan professional learning in all of the 11 regions across Alabama to provide sessions specifically for library media. It will not be a goal accomplished very quickly as it takes time, but so far I have 4 regional professional learning opportunities on my calendar for 2019. 

I have had to remind myself to make small steps! As I travel to many parts of Alabama from Florence to Foley and York to Pell City, I realize the uniqueness that makes each school system work. There is not a single program, idea, intervention, or concept that will automatically boost the importance of library media programs. Rather, I have learned it will take intentional effort to elevate the library media program in Alabama through providing support, advocacy, and opportunities for expanding professional learning for library media specialists. In addition, the reason I have focused on regional professional learning opportunities is because I find it important to come together with library media specialists from other school systems to collaborate and communicate what works for the students in our schools and what does not. Bringing together library media specialists is important to help build a professional learning network that can help new library media specialists, veteran library media specialists and those in between to find allies and sounding boards.

Hopefully over 2020, I can travel to more school systems and develop regional professional learning that will focused on the needs of the library media programs of Alabama to help positively impact student success.

You can view the My Map below and toggle between the different months to see where I have traveled and learned from other educators!

---