Standard 4.4 Advocacy
Candidates identify stakeholders within and outside the school community who impact the school library program. Candidates develop a plan to advocate for school library and information programs, resources, and services. |
Reflection
One of my assignments in SLM501 Administration and Leadership was to create a library advocacy plan. This plan outlined a systematic approach to addressing a need within the library. I collaborated with another media specialist in MCPS and identified the concern of children’s online safety in today’s digital age. She shared that, to no fault of their own, parents in her school do not always understand the digital footprints their children are developing, the potential dangers of these actions, or the more reliable resources that exist online.
My plan identified specific library programs, resources, and services to educate stakeholders within and outside the school about promoting safe practices online. For example, I found online resources such as MCPS’ Cybersafety Guide For Parents, a Parent’s Guide to Minecraft, and ThinkB4U.com. All of these resources support parents in promoting safe online practices at home.
My plan identified specific library programs, resources, and services to educate stakeholders within and outside the school about promoting safe practices online. For example, I found online resources such as MCPS’ Cybersafety Guide For Parents, a Parent’s Guide to Minecraft, and ThinkB4U.com. All of these resources support parents in promoting safe online practices at home.
This process taught me that collaborating with stakeholders such as parents, students, and teachers often creates a domino effect of benefits for the entire community. For example, I created library newsletters to educate parents about online safety, which also allowed me to advertise reliable online resources available through MCPS. I also planned PTA meeting presentations, which introduced me to potential guest speakers from within and outside of the school community. These actions promoted library resources, formed relationships with parents, and ensured that my students were being safe online.
I was careful to select a topic that was likely to appeal to any school so that I would be able to implement this plan in the future. Now that I have outlined the timeline, resources, and data collection tools for this advocacy plan, I am ready to collaborate with my future school’s stakeholders to actually implement it. This preparation will help me hit the ground running and begin forming productive relationships throughout the school community when I begin my career as a media specialist.
I was careful to select a topic that was likely to appeal to any school so that I would be able to implement this plan in the future. Now that I have outlined the timeline, resources, and data collection tools for this advocacy plan, I am ready to collaborate with my future school’s stakeholders to actually implement it. This preparation will help me hit the ground running and begin forming productive relationships throughout the school community when I begin my career as a media specialist.