Have spent so much time reading. Have come to the conclusion that whatever results I actually get in my assignments, I am still learning about the role of TL. I don't have a TL in my school who could guide me and, as said before, the role is not valued in my school by the prinicpal. I have been moved into a 1/2 classroom for 2 weeks (possibly longer) and no consideration has been given to what might happen to the library now. I have tried to make the library user friendly for students but I cannot do what really should be done.

What have I done re PD?
Attended a PD for which I paid $200 and reorganised release time lessons so that I could attend - was from Ralph Pirozzo of Promoting and Learning International. Called Creating the most Engaging and Challenging Classroom where ESL & Indigenous Children will Thrive!
How did it help me?
Looked at theories of learning - over 53 - did not know that many - Constructivist Theory (Bruner), Laterial Thinking (De Bono), Multiple Intelligences (Gardner) etc.
Looked at Pirozzo's Learning and Teaching Wheel - discussion - put into perspective a lot of theory.
I find I am a practial person - I know much of learning is based on theory but I want to SEE evidence - I want to feel it, know that it is real!
Liked some of his Thinking Tools - BROW, LDC, Concept Maps, RedMast (I liked that for young, ESL and Indigenous kids), W, X and Y charts.
Matirx for planning and access to other teachers' kindly donated plans - excellent.
Second PD - Pearson Rigby - looking at Rigby Blueprints - core literacy programme and Making Connections plus Smart board presentation - very interesting for future reference.
Followed by: launch of Liz Thomspon Big Books of various Indigenous Community stories with some of the community children present - was great - very inspiring. So much potential to use story material of this nature - they all have some kind of message or moral - why not use these stories rather that Goldilocks or Red Riding Hood etc. I think the local stories would be more meaningful.

Learned a great deal for the future.

Readings - Appreciated Topic 5 perhaps more than the others - Oh dear probably not a good sign in my learning -
Collaborative Practice - that is maybe the role of the TL that I think is utterly critical - being a critical part of the curriculum and supporting the teachers and school community therein!
Evidence that collaboration boosts student learning - isn't that what it is all about? Yes Yes Yes.
Liked Gibbs and Todds articles. Montiel-Overall as well.

So much of readings are along the lines of learning all about the role - but the reality in the work place is far from comforting. I guess it is a case of keep on reading to learn so that the sum total will be able to change the reality!!!