October 2025 – May 2026

Instructor/Facilitator: Katie Mack, Champlain Valley Union High School Librarian and Allison Vega, South Burlington High School Librarian

AT A GLANCE

What’s in a name?
Librarian? Library Media Specialist? The title alone rarely captures the many “hats” school librarians wear. While each of those roles is valuable, this course will use the term “teacher librarian” to highlight the essential role librarians play as educators within the school community.

As education continues to shift—both locally and nationally—it’s more important than ever for school librarians to position themselves as teaching partners and instructional leaders. We must consistently demonstrate our impact on student learning and advocate for equitable education within our schools.

Of course, every school and grade level presents its own challenges. So how do we balance our ever-growing responsibilities? How do we ensure our vision and expertise are recognized by school leadership?

This course will be structured in such a way that participants will have the opportunity to examine the various instructional roles of librarianship at grade-specific level, reflect upon current practice, and create professional library growth goals to implement in their library setting. Throughout the course participants will create a “teaching portfolio” that includes evidence of goal-setting and execution of library collaboration in each setting: literacy leader, curricular collaborator, and equity coach. Our final meeting will be a chance to share best practices, reflect upon action, and vision for the future.

Course Objectives:

Develop and continuously pursue professional growth goals for library programs.
- Identify potential areas in your library program to expand instruction.
- Execute plans to implement “librarian as teacher” with the intent to increase visibility and efficacy within the school community.
- Reflect and share upon best practices.
Cultivate relational trust, caring, mutual respect, and honesty with individuals and groups as a librarian.
Build a network of librarian collegiality, support, and collaboration.

Course Schedule: The topics and order are subject to change based on participant needs. Prior to each class there will be a detailed agenda provided. Each session will be structured as follows:

Explore: Engage with professional resources to build capacity and deepen practical knowledge.
Share: Work with similar grade-level librarians to share experiences, strategies, and success.
Plan: Identify an area of growth for your library. Craft a strategic plan (on a micro or macro level) to implement before the next session.

Session 1 - Librarians as Teachers and Instructional Tools for Building Teaching Capacity (the Why and How)

The evolving role of the school librarian as an instructional leader and teacher.
The impact of school librarians on student achievement and information literacy.
Building a culture of innovation and engagement in the library.
Integrating curricular digital tools for teaching and learning to enhance instruction and build teaching capacity within the school community.

Session 2 - Curricular Collaboration

Models for effective teacher-librarian collaboration across grade levels and subject areas
Curriculum mapping to identify strategic points for library integration
Building collaborative relationships with resistant or hesitant teachers
Technology tools that facilitate curricular collaboration
Documenting and showcasing successful collaborative projects

Session 3 - Librarians as Literacy Leaders

Promoting reading engagement through innovative programming and reader advisory
Supporting multiliteracies: information, digital, media, and traditional literacy
Strategies for engaging reluctant readers and diverse learners
Building partnerships with public libraries and community literacy organizations
Using data to demonstrate the impact of library literacy initiatives

Session 4 - Equity and Trauma Informed Spaces/ Creating Joyful Library Programs

Creating inclusive library spaces that welcome all learners
Collection development practices that center diverse perspectives and experiences
Trauma-informed approaches to library policies, procedures, and interactions
Designing joyful library programming that addresses student interests and needs
Removing barriers to access and participation in library services

Session 5 - Revisiting the How and Why - Presentation and Reflection

Reflective practice: evaluating growth as a teacher-librarian
Communicating the value of school library programs to stakeholders
Developing a professional growth plan aligned with school and district goals
Presenting evidence of impact through student learning outcomes
Building a professional learning network for continued development

Course Requirements: Required evidence of learning in the 4 course objectives and target areas of leadership includes but may not be limited to:

Attendance at all 5 sessions
Completion of all required readings
Completion of a “teaching portfolio”
Gallery walk presentation to peers of the work done throughout the year.

Location: CVEDC-ESA 150 Kennedy Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403

Dates: October 15, 2025; November 19, 2025; January 14, 2026; March 11, 2026; May 13, 2026

Times: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. plus 10 hours of online reflection and discussion

Credits: 3 Graduate Credits from Saint Michael’s College

Cost: $1,350 includes book $1,750 includes grad credit and book, Teaching Students to Decode the World by Chris Sperry and Cyndy Scheibe

Teacher Librarians: A Cohort for Collaborative Practice and Growth