Put Me In Coach...

the tune by John Fogerty whirled through my head as I walked out of a professional development workshop this morning. The theme was instructional coaches and how to strive to the epitomy of the description provided. Being an effective instructional coach/teacher librarian is a daunting task, one which I am sure many don't realize (I didn't).  The more professional development I receive for this new role of mine, the more I realize that the role and responsibilities of a teacher librarian have evolved but because of our self-effacing nature, some haven't noticed. Who knew the role of  a teacher librarian requires the balance of credibility, comptency, approachabiltiy, reliability, intitmacy, trustworthiness, adaptability, self-awareness and humility? (Now say that 5 times fast).

However, the thing I found the most interesting was the reference to the idea of a growth mindset. In Mindset (2006), Carol Dweck concludes, "The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life." (p.6) and then goes on to explain the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Dweck (2006) describes the fixed mindset as "believing that your qualities are carved in stone." If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that "you have only a certain amount of intelligence, a certain peronality, a certain moral character" (p.7) To those having a fixed mindset, people are what they are, and there's not much chance of them ever changing. She goes on to describe that those with a growth mindset believe "that the hand you're dealt is just the starting point for development. This growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things that you cultivate through effort." (p.8). (Wendy J, I would reference the book this paragraph comes from but you didn't write the title on the handout).

Mindset may have to be a piece of professional reading I do, but this little bit gives me something to reflect on. If Dweck is right, how do you get someone to change from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? Can someone with a growth mindset influence someone with a fixed mindset to change or is it a thoughtful, self- realization?


Regardless, I'm ready to play.

Keeping it Positive

It's been a very long time since I have felt compelled to expand and push forward my professional learning. As a classroom teacher for 17 years I was very comfortable meeting the needs of my students and participated in professional learning as required or directed without really any interest or personal investment.  However, I always knew I could/should have been  doing more.

So I made a very conscious choice to reinvest in myself and my profession and become the learner that my students needed. Now, I am learning at a fantastic pace. (Am I making up for all those years that I didn't?) It has become an avalanche of new information everyday and it is taking some time to process it all. There is not much time to reflect or respond or even organize the information that would allow me to do so.

Nevertheless, I am excited about this new learning venture that I have taken! Despite the long hours, extra demands on my time and some tears (some of them mine) I am willing to ride the wave and keep it postive!