Archive – Advocacy

Kath Talbot, Teaching and Learning Officer for Library Support, CEO Canberra Goulburn
Webinar replay – 60 minutes

Teacher librarians can empower a thriving culture, enact change that supports action, and impact teaching and learning through collaboration. This webinar will highlight how a teacher librarian can collaborate with teachers, schools, and students to serve as a guide on the side, building capacity, supporting change, and enhancing pedagogy and instructional practice.

This is the journey of a teacher librarian who has drawn on the wisdom of others to inform and shape her practice, which can support your journey in your context and practice.

Attendees will be able to:

• Gain strategies to support their practice to build value; curriculum design that supports student knowledge growth and understanding; and support teaching.
• Identify opportunities to advocate for their role and how it is well placed in the school-wide curriculum.
•  Conceptualise the possibility of empowering a thriving culture, enacting change, and impacting teaching and learning in small and achievable ways.

Kath has worked for Catholic Education her whole career, 20+ years, teaching a wide range of subject areas from pre-K to year 12. Moving to school libraries in 2015, first primary then secondary, her opportunities since graduating with MEd (TL) include marking for CSU; co-presenting at both NES conferences and ALIA Conference in 2022 with Lori Korodaj; and writing for Access and SCIS Data. Kath is now the Library Support Officer for the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese. Kath lives in Canberra with her husband, with two wonderful teenage girls, a dog and a cat. She loves audiobooks, cooking, playing hockey and is an International Masters Hockey Umpire.

For all States and Territories:
This webinar will provide self-identified professional development addressing the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Proficient level:
6.2 – Engage in professional learning and improve practice
6.4 – Apply professional learning and improve student learning
7.4 – Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities.

[Members, please log in to view this webinar and access the additional resources that accompany this webinar.]

Karen Eyre, Head of Information Services, Brisbane Boys’ College
28th May 2025
Webinar replay – 60 minutes

Library staff are often introverts (I know I am!), so it does not feel natural to put yourself out there. The problem with that is that it can often be out of sight and out of mind for many user groups. This can result in library programs, services, staff and spaces being devalued in schools.

By targeting particular community stakeholders, it is possible to go from “I don’t know what you do” or “It must be nice to just sit in the quiet and read books all day” to creating a widespread understanding of what libraries do to create value for their community.

Inspired by the findings from Deakin University’s studies into Teen Reading, Margaret Merga’s work on creating a reading culture in schools, and her own experience and observations with students and reading, Karen is currently reimagining the reading program at BBC with an aim to improving both the attitudes towards reading and the boys’ self-perception about themselves as readers.

Outcomes for attendees:

• Showcase library resources to show “where the money goes”.
• Get staff reading.
• Socialise students’ reading to improve reading culture.

Karen Eyre is the Head of Information Services at Brisbane Boys College. She is a Prep to Year 12 Teacher Librarian with a background in teaching secondary English and Geography. Karen constantly advocates for the role libraries play within a school: as safe spaces, as bastions against the sea of mis-dis-and-mal-information, and as places that can open up the world within the pages of a book.

For all States and Territories:
This webinar will provide self-identified professional development addressing the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Proficient level:
3.3 – Use teaching strategies
3.4 – Select and use resources
6.2 – Engage in professional learning and improve practice
6.4 – Apply professional learning and improve student learning

[Members, please log in to view this webinar and access the additional resources that accompany this webinar.]

Christine Peterson, Head of Library Services, SCOTS PGC College, Queensland
February 2025
Webinar replay – 60 minutes

The role of teacher librarians as middle leaders is often underrecognized yet vital to the fabric of school leadership. Drawing from personal experience and reflective practice, this session explores the evolution of Teacher Librarianship beyond traditional boundaries, emphasising its integral role within middle management and leadership in education. Initially, teacher librarians may not see themselves as leaders, especially if not part of formal decision-making bodies. However, with expertise that spans departments, subjects, and grade levels, teacher librarians are uniquely positioned to drive educational change and improve student outcomes. Leveraging AITSL’s (2023) definition of middle leadership, which encompasses pedagogical, student-based, and program leadership, by fostering digital literacy, supporting resource accessibility, and enhancing the educational experience across all levels.

This presentation highlights the transformative impact teacher librarians can have by facilitating connections between students, teachers, and resources — without necessarily holding formal authority. Through middle leadership, teacher librarians bridge gaps within educational silos, influence curriculum, and promote a collaborative learning environment. This examination of middle leadership within the context of Teacher Librarianship underscores the profession’s expanded role and the powerful influence it wields in shaping modern education.

Outcomes for attendees:

• Gain strategies for working together as middle leaders, using the Teacher Librarian’s expertise to support curriculum design, resource integration, and school-wide initiatives.
• Learn to leverage library resources effectively, integrating digital and information literacy into teaching to improve student outcomes and engagement.
• Understand the impact of middle leadership roles in driving a positive school culture that supports differentiation, literacy, and critical thinking across all grade levels.

Christine holds a Master in Education with a focus on Teacher Librarianship and she is passionate about the transformative role that teacher librarians play in schools. In 2024, she had the opportunity to present at both the National Education Summit on Inquiry Learning and the QSLA Future Libraries Conference on leading from the middle. Through these experiences, she shared insights on fostering school-wide collaboration, promoting inquiry, and enhancing access to resources across grade levels. Her work centres on empowering students and educators, advancing literacy, and positioning the library as a hub for learning and leadership within the school community.

For all States and Territories:
This webinar will provide self-identified professional development addressing the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Proficient level:
6.2 – Engage in professional learning and improve practice
6.4 – Apply professional learning and improve student learning
7.4 – Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities

[Members, please log in to view this webinar and access the additional resources that accompany this webinar.]

Dr Jennie Bales
Webinar replay – 60 minutes

With increased accountability and demands for evidence-based practice to demonstrate professional competence, writing for publication purposes provides educators with opportunities to showcase their practice and make professional contributions to learning communities.

This webinar provides participants with five steps to produce professional articles suitable for publication.

1. Topic
   1. Purpose
   2. Focus
2. Publication
3. Audience
4. Structure
   1. Planning
5. Content

This webinar could be relevant to the following Australian professional standards for teachers:
7.4 – Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities

[Members, please log in to view this webinar and access the additional resources that accompany this webinar.]

Karen Bonanno, Founder and Managing Director, Eduwebinar Pty Ltd
Webinar replay – Approximately 52 minutes

Do you have a cause that you want others to support?
Or maybe, you have an issue that you want significant decision makers to take action on to improve the situation.

Karen applies the five finger plan to success as advocated by Trump and Kiyoskai in their book, Midas Touch, to prepare an advocacy brief.
This webinar focuses on examples of issues and concerns to identify:

• the audience,
• the media,
• a key message,
• the content,a specific focus and
• a call to action.

This webinar could be relevant to the following Australian professional standards for teachers:
6.3 – Engage with colleagues and improve practice
7.1 – Meet professional ethics and responsibilities
7.4 – Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities

[Members, please log in to access the additional resources that accompany this webinar replay.]

Karen Bonanno, Director, KB Enterprises (Aust) Pty Ltd
Webinar replay — Approximately 54 minutes.

Here’s a peek at what is covered during the webinar:

• How to source quotable quotes.
• 3 simple ways to find remarkable stories.
• The little-known way to capture a personal testimony.
• 5 events that can attract media attention.
• 2 simple ways to send your memorable message viral.
• AMAZING! Discover in a matter of minutes how to find the facts that really stand out and scream for attention.
• 4 network sites for access to resource tools.
• A free and easy way to share the collective wisdom of others who are just as interested as you in advocating for your school library.
• How to collaborate with others to build your advocacy message.
• REVEALED! A hidden truth behind what makes politicians take notice.
• My secret weapon for connecting the tribe!!