The text addresses the importance of fostering a collaborative environment in educational settings, specifically between teachers and teacher librarians. It raises questions about the varying openness of administrators towards a collaborative approach and discusses the benefits of co-teaching in both the library and classroom.
If this is true, then why do some teachers find it so difficult to collaborate? They think that handing someone a worksheet and saying this what they are doing in case you want to join us is collaboration. Do these people have such large egos that they think they know everything? Do they take it personal when their ideas are not chosen?
If all of these things are true of collaboration with the librarian, then why do many teachers still teach in isolation?
Time/Scheduling
In light of this information, is it not imperative that teachers and teacher librarians have a scheduled time to plan together?
"Why not?"
Since collaboration is such an easy way to mentor fellow colleagues, why are more teacher librarians not seeking out opportunities to collaborate? Along with that, with data as proof that collaboration improves student success, why are more teacher librarians not looking for more collaborative opportunities?
If collaboration leads us to where we want our students to be, then why isn’t everybody doing it?
Administration
Why are some administrators more open to creating an environment that is conducive to collaboration while others prefer competition?
What can be done to influence the principal’s attitude toward a more collaborative approach to teaching in the library?
Library
Also, should it not be just as normal to see teacher’s co-teaching in the library with the teacher librarian, as co-teaching with a team member in their own classroom? Would it not also be beneficial at times for the teacher librarian to go directly into the student’s classroom with their teacher and co-teach?
When students enjoy going to the media center and working with the teacher librarian, will this not encourage their teacher to collaborate on more projects for the benefit of his/her students?
How can school librarians change the perception of others who view the library as a “holding place”?
