Teacher Librarians as Agents of Change 504

With a wealth of information based on a myriad of readings for 504 on leadership I have come to the conclusion that the TL can be a mover and shaker within their schools. Fullan (1993) defines change agent as "being self conscious about the nature of change and the change process. For teacher librarians it is important to facilitate and focus on being leaders of education reform rather than reactors to it. Harada & Hughes (2008) ask the TL to face the challenge of becoming change agents. This requires the TL not to be reactive to situations but to lead the way by facilitating this change. The core characteristics of effective change agents are outlined by Harada and Hughes-Hassell, allowing the TL to acknowledge these attributes within their own character. The article proceeds to detail how the TL is able to display these characteristics as strategic players targeting change reform. The TL is provided with an action plan, stimulate curiosity and discovery within students, incorporate ICT's, promote reflection and evidence-based practice, address diversity and involve families in literacy development. The TL needs to move beyond the centre of the library and extend their knowledge base to the wider community. This means the TL needs to be proactive and positive when leading the way as a change agent.

Harada, V.H & Hughes-Hassell,S. (n.d)Facing the Reform Challenge: Teacher-Librarians as Change Agents. Retrieved September 14, 2009, from http://www2.hawaii.edu/~vharada/Reform-Challenge-2008.pdf