Being a Positive Motivator as a Teacher Librarian

Over the years I have received positive feedback from colleagues for my preparation and delivery of library lessons, whether they may be a workshop, timetabled lesson or wide reading session.

Recently, a casual teacher went in-depth as to how well I executed a wide reading session with a group of Year 7 students. I had been supporting them with the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge, facilitating a wide reading session and spending time individually with students; particularly those that were struggling to reach the target of twenty books, giving them attention and providing strategies.

She commented on the "little things" - behaviour expectations, procedures, actvities or tasks to complete and being present for the students.

I went home and thought the compliment(s) and there was a message for Teacher Librarians.

It might be odd, but the video of a misbehaving boy backanswering his teacher when ejected from a lesson, also had a message in it for us (I will not condone his behaviour). 

We need to remember that we need to be positive motivators in our role as it would be expected in a classroom teaching role.

We need to inspire and make students interested in learning and that is spending time with them. Telling them to do just worksheets or in our case (read) doesn't help.

We need to consider our purpose for being with the student? How can we improve their learning? Do they need direction? Do they need resources?

Also, we should ask ourselves if we show passion for reading. Are we able to share with our students what we read and what we think about literature? If we dont share the passion, how can students replicate that?

Also, do we enjoy sharing our knowledge and what that means to us? If we don't, students will not be motivated to learn.