2.+Teachers+&+Teacher+Librarians+as+Change+Agents

It will likely not surprise you to hear that teachers and teacher-librarians are pivotal in creating and sustaining change in our schools. Certainly many of us have experienced firsthand, the synergy ... the anticipation ... the passion that is created when colleagues come together to plan and bring to realization a common vision that is aimed at improving the educational lives of our students. You’ll know you are there when the room is literally a buzz with conversation, excitement, co-planning and the group is ready and armed to seize the day. Ahhh ... it is moments like these that bring us back to our fervent roots as teachers, the belief that anything is possible and we are at the wheel.
 * Teachers as Change Agents **

But it is more than a feeling, an experience, and well let’s be honest, it makes good sense that the most effective change agents are teachers themselves. This is a well documented by leaders in the field – Fullen, Hargraves, Hord to name just a few. Through research and analysis in the 1970's, Dr. Ruth Nickse, helped set the stage by unequivocally stating that effective and meaningful change begins with teachers “inside” the school for the following reasons:

(Note: play the Voki to hear Dr. Nickse’s findings)

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 * **Nickse's (1977) //How To Change Schools From the Inside: Teachers As Change Agents // acknowledges that teachers are effective agents of change for the following reasons: **
 * Teacher's energies and skills are engaged as well as their time and concern.
 * Teacher's are aware of the norms of their colleagues ... they know who is for what and why.
 * Teachers are equipped with information concerning the values and attitudes of the community at large.
 * Teachers are in the position to initiate planned change on the basis of need and are available to implement these changes

**Teacher-Librarians as Change Agents **

Teacher-Librarians have the capacity to be effective agents of change within a school, and even a whole district. TLs lead from within as they work with administration and teachers to create a culture of change through collaboration and respect. Collaboration with colleagues breaks down the isolation of teaching and helps create a more professional work environment. Teacher-Librarians have a variety of leadership roles, from advocacy to literacy. This Prezi focuses on the various aspects of TL leadership, providing concrete examples of how leadership directly impacts student learning. These leadership roles provide the opportunity for teacher-librarians to be in contact with teachers, other TLs, administration, community groups, parents, school trustees and senior management and act as an ambassador on behalf of all working towards student success, including students themselves.
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**Core Characteristics of Effective Change Agents **

Are all our colleagues positioned to become effective agents of change? With a little time, commitment and practice ... perhaps. However, can't we all think of colleagues that seem to lead the way effortlessly, that inspire others to sit up and take notice, that earn the respect and following of others? What makes these folks our leaders? The experts in the field identify several characteristics that are synonymous with effective leaders of change. Based on the work of Fullen (1993), Glickman (2002), Stiegelbauer (1991), Conner (1998), Grossman (1974) & Lippitt (1978), Hughes-Hassell and Harada (2007) identify the following core characteristics of effective change agents (p.4).

(Please note we have taken the liberty of substituting “school library media specialist” with “educator”, as we believe these are applicable to all teachers acting as agents of change). When evaluating the characteristics you possess, consider the adjoining questions to help you think more deeply about each quality.

__**Reflect:**__ **Briefly describe a time you acted (or envision yourself in the future) as an agent of change in the role of teacher or teacher-librarian. It can range anywhere from mentoring a pre-service teacher to a district wide initative. What's one of the "core characteristics " that you believe played a key role in initiating change?**

=** Click here to move on to "Creating a Climate for Change" ... **=