ASLA National Journal - Access - President's message

Executive Reports - Leading edge

A time for reflection

Access, Vol. 24, issue 1, 2010, p.3.

By ASLA President, Mr Rob Moore

Over the years the President’s Leading edge column has reflected the theme of that particular issue. In my time presiding over the column I’ve researched and written about issues on leadership, teaching and learning, literature and the growing influence of ICTs in our profession.

This column will be a little different. For one, it’s likely to be my last as President. Having taken the reins from Anette Ainsworth in March 2008, my time at the head of ASLA is rapidly drawing to a close, made more so by the fact that my wife (also a teacher for Education Queensland) and I are taking off the whole of term two for long-service leave. A tough gig but I’m sure 12 weeks of travelling around Italy and England with our two daughters will present all manner of hardships ...

Anyway, I thought this may be an appropriate moment for a little reflection — not of the navel gazing kind, but rather to try and give you a sense of what being ASLA President for the past couple of years has been like. Here are some words to capture the essence of the experience: enlightening; daunting; challenging; rewarding; professionally enriching; humbling; frustrating; and finally my 12-year-old’s current word de jour — awesome! Does that sound like a mixed bag? It should, because I’m looking for an honest reflection of my experience in this role. The question I’m naturally pondering is this, was it worth it?

The answer? Unequivocally — yes, for while there are bound to be times in a position like this where the challenges do feel daunting and frustrations can boil over, the sum of the experiences over the past two years has changed my career forever. Changed for the better.

In that time I’ve had the privilege of working closely with some of the most switched-on teacher librarians in the country; I’ve engaged with a broad spectrum of leaders from Australia’s key education associations through Teaching Australia (now Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) and those who would reshape our national curriculum through ACARA (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority). Working in my humble state school library in rural Queensland, I had never imagined I’d have an opportunity to work with Australia’s education leaders. It has been an amazing experience.

It could be your experience. One thing has become abundantly clear to me over the past couple of years — all of our state and territory associations as well as our national body need people like you — the teacher librarians who pick up their quarterly copy of Access and keep in touch with what’s going on. The fact that you’re reading this means it’s likely you’ve already joined your local body. Imagine how much stronger that body would be if all of the members had a crack at being a Councillor or took on an Executive role some time.

The arguments against doing it will always be there — too time poor; too busy; too tired; too inexperienced. All true. But to go back to my earlier question, is involvement in your association worth it? Well, you won’t know unless you try. I can only urge you to have a go by reiterating that my career has been enriched beyond my wildest imaginings through this experience.

As I’ve said in past columns, there’s no question that this is a fascinating time to be a teacher librarian. Our role in teaching and learning in schools has never been more vital — something ASLA will continue to promote through peak educational and government bodies.

I’d like to thank everyone who has served with me on ASLA Executive and National Council over the past few years, especially our Executive Officer, Karen Bonanno, whose professional commitment to Australian teacher librarians over many years has been astounding. As I write, ASLA stands on the cusp of renewal and, while the issues that face our profession can at times appear daunting, I am confident that with your help and support, our national body is ready for the challenges ahead.

It’s been an honour.

Last updated 26 March 2010