Kim Hayward - School Library Media Portfolio Reflection 4:3

4:3 Leadership
Candidates are able to articulate the role and relationship of the school library programs impact
on student academic achievement within the context of current educational initiatives. Utilizing
evidence-based practice and information from education and library research, candidates
communicate ways in which the library program can enhance school improvement efforts.
Artifacts
ISTC 601 Library Media Administration
The School Improvement Plan for Edgewood Middle School was evaluated for where the school
librarian could enhance efforts to improve achievement for students. After going through the
plan, I identified where my role had been either specifically or generally indicated and then
wrote in some additional places where my role as the school librarian would assist the SIP.
ISTC 702 Educational Leadership and Technology
The Professional Development Plan Project was created to identify the role of the librarian as an
agent for change within the context of the current educational initiative of technology integration
in the schools. The project required a complete professional development plan with staff
development objectives and activities that would result in higher student achievement.
Relevance
The artifacts included in this reflection illustrate the role of the school librarian as a leader and
collaborator in the school. The impact of the librarian on student achievement can be seen when
the librarian is included on the School Improvement Team and is involved in creating
professional development that connects to current educational initiatives.
The School Improvement Plan project for ISTC 601 aligns with standard 4.3 Leadership by
showing how the librarian can be and should be included in the School Improvement Plan in
order to provide leadership and support for the schools initiatives. The SIP included details of
how the librarian can work with students before and after school in small learning groups, can
assist with technology and research instruction, and can be a force for change through the
creation of professional development opportunities for the staff.
The Professional Development Plan project for ISTC 702 aligns with standard 4.3 Leadership by
putting the librarian in the role of teacher and facilitator for instructing staff on how to integrate
technology into the classroom. Technology integration is a Harford County initiative and is
currently being encouraged through the use of BYOT in the county, which started at Edgewood
on April 11th. Many older teachers are uncomfortable with technology and require differentiated
teaching, levels of support, and mentoring. The PDP included in this reflection details a plan to
provide that differentiation for the staff while encouraging technology leaders among the staff

who are comfortable with technology integration. In this way, the librarian is a leader in
promoting school and county initiatives.
Analysis
Both of the artifacts included in this reflection require that I am employed as a librarian in a
school so neither has been put to use as of yet. However, these artifacts demonstrate how
important the library and librarian are to student achievement.
The SIP plan is clearly a place where there is room for a leadership role with the librarian.
Through student groups, working on school initiatives with staff and students, and professional
development, the school librarian is in a unique position to lead the staff in improving student
achievement. When I am a school librarian, I will be sure to join the School Improvement Team.
The Professional Development Plan allowed me the opportunity to understand all of the thought,
planning, and pre-assessment that goes into creating a relevant and successful professional
development opportunity for teachers. As the technology and information leader in the school,
the librarian would have access to resources and time to meet, if working in a flexible scheduling
school, with the leadership team and staff to gather information that would lead to a successful
PD. The librarian would also be able to provide mentoring to teachers who required extra help.
When I am a librarian, I will assess staff needs and provide professional development
opportunities as well as make myself available to staff for technology mentoring.