Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year of Award 2010

Past awards: 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010

Pledger Consulting Pty Ltd (LinksPlus/WebLinks)

The Australian School Library Association Inc. (ASLA) and Pledger Consulting Pty Ltd (LinksPlus/Weblinks) have pleasure in announcing the winner of the 2010 Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year Award – Janice Wilson from Lake Tuggeranong College, Greenway, Australian Capital Territory

This national award recognises and honours an exceptional Australian teacher librarian in a school setting whose professional practice has a positive impact on student achievement and information literacy. ASLA describes the role of a teacher librarian as having three key professional specialisations: curriculum leader, information specialist, and information services manager.

The Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year 2010 is awarded to a teacher librarian who demonstrates a high level of achievement in each of these three components of their role and thus provides a library and information service that improves student learning.

The 2010 Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year, Janice Wilson,

The college provides a comprehensive choice of courses for those aiming for university and TAFE, and specialises in the Arts (including television performance and production), fitness and health studies. Technology is an integral part of all courses, enabling students to access their courses on-line throughout the college and numerous community partnerships offer students the opportunity for real-life learning.

Her Principal and colleagues comment on her abilities to meet the selection criteria of the award.
Ms Wilson’s professional knowledge as a teacher librarian, her professional practice and her commitment to her role are outstanding”.
W.B. Maiden, Principal, Lake Tuggeranong College

“Janice’s philosophy is one of empowering students to become effective learners. She is dedicated to equipping all students with the skills to become lifelong learners. She is passionate about the role that pedagogy plays in underpinning everything we do as teachers. Her professional reading revolves around pedagogy and how it relates to research and information literacy skills.”

“She collaborates with teachers to design authentic learning activities. She is active in planning assignments with them from the beginning to ensure that the assignments are conducive to higher order thinking and promote literacy skills.”

“Janice sees the role of the teacher librarians as one of partnership, to ensure that the school’s learning outcomes are achieved.”

“She is tireless in her efforts to ensure that the library again becomes a true joint-use one, and not merely co-location of facilities. She has a strategic focus and is interested in planning for future programs tailored to the needs of students and staff.”

“Janice is a reflective TL with interest in leadership opportunities which improve school improvement and improving library services and programs. She has been involved in education and professional networks. She served as a panel member of a DET external validation committee of 2008 for external review of processes and outcomes for government high schools in Canberra. She has been a representative on the College’s Assessment Committee and the Professional Development Committee. In May of this year she participated in a DET Industry Forum to look at the future of training needs for the profession. The panel chair congratulated Janice on her initiative and achievements in establishing and promoting the Cert II in Library and Information Services. As a member of ASLA, she has served on the ACT Branch as a committee member.”

The judges commented:

“Janice’s application demonstrates her capacity as a curriculum leader and effective manager in a very complex school library-public library environment. Joint-use libraries do present very unique challenges which Janice has carefully and strategically navigated to ensure information services and quality teaching and learning programs. Her nomination highlighted the skills she has brought to her school and the innovative practices she has put in place.”

This award carries a $1,500 cash prize from Pledger Consulting Pty Ltd and $500 Weblinks-LinksPlus products.

The award will be presented to Janice by Paul Pledger.

We congratulate all the state and territory nominees for this award.

Elizabeth Greef, St Andrew’s Cathedral, nominated by Australian School Library Association (NSW)

Kate Reid, The Hutchins School nominated by Australian School Library Association (Tasmania)

Jane Graham , Wesley College nominated by Western Australian School Library Association (NSW)