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Abstract
What are the implications and challenges of the new Australian Professional Standards for Teachers for those practising in the school library context? Margo Pickworth (Shore Junior School) and Jenny Uther (Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College) have both recently completed certification as Highly Accomplished teachers in New South Wales (NSW). Margo and Jenny gave a presentation at the 2013 ASLA XXIII Biennial Conference in Hobart and, in this article, they expand the presentation's key points about their experiences of the unique learning and leadership opportunities that this challenge presents. The appropriate match of teacher librarianship to the Highly Accomplished level will be considered as well as practical advice on overcoming challenges and succeeding in this rigorous but rewarding process.
Introduction
All Australian teachers in all states will need to become familiar with the new AITSL Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. The Standards are divided into three Domains, seven Standards and thirty-seven Focus Areas for each of the four Career stages: Graduate, Proficient, Highly Accomplished and Lead. Currently graduate teachers and those in their first years of teaching in Australia must undergo mandatory certification at the Graduate and Proficient career stages. However, certification at the two higher levels Highly Accomplished and Lead career stages remains at this stage a voluntary process.
Margo Pickworth and Jenny Uther have both recently completed the process of certification (also known as accreditation) as Highly Accomplished teachers with the NSW Institute of Teachers - a rigorous process that is closely mirrored, and now replaced, by the new national process. Although certification against standards will be a familiar process for teachers who have more recently entered the profession, for many longer serving teachers this will be unfamiliar territory.
Why should teacher librarians select the Highly Accomplished level of certification?
Since many teacher librarians are already highly experienced teachers, it makes sense for us to measure our practice against the Standards at the Highly Accomplished career stage. When reviewing the terminology of the Standards the most frequently occurring words are 'collaboration', 'work with colleagues', 'support colleagues'. As teacher librarians, we embrace a culture of collaborative and supportive practice and these are key parts of our day-to-day practice.
The AITSL National Standards for Teachers dovetail nicely with the ASLA/ALIA Standards of Professional...