Role as Learning Leader

Media specialists, classroom teachers, and educational administrators must all be instructional leaders. However, media specialists hold a unique role in the school. They work with all of the teachers and can have a tremendous impact on the teaching and learning environment.

As an instructional leader, media specialists must take the initiative and seek out opportunities to work with the entire staff to meet the teaching and learning goals of the school.

Effective leadership for change is difficult and involves a complex process of interdependent components (Fullan, Bertani, & Quinn, 2004). In her article Professional Development and Closing the Achievement Gap, Stephanie Hirsh examined four approaches to professional development and found that deep understanding of content, quality teacher conversations, and a detailed plan were the cornerstones of this process.

Read Chapter 11: Collaboration and Leadership by Joy McGregor in Curriculum Connections through the Library edited by Barbara K. Stripling & Sandra Hughes-Hassell.

Learn More

Darling-Hammond, Linda (1997). The Right to Learn: A Blueprint for Creating Schools that Work. Jossey-Bass.

Fullan, Michael, Bertani, Al, & Quinn, Joanne (April 2004). New Lessons for Districtwide Reform. Educational Leadership. 61(7), 42-46.

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