Information Session
Project LEAD Fellowships
for Teacher Leaders
Eliza T. Dresang, Eliza Atkins Gleason Professor
Nancy Everhart, Associate Professor
School Library Media Specialists for the 21st Century:
Leaders Educated to Make a Difference
Florida State University
College of Information
Tallahassee, FL
Topical Outline
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What is a 21st century media specialist?
Background of Project LEAD
Introductions to Project LEAD personnel
Fellowships - what is being offered
Fellowships - what is required of participants
Questions
A 21st Century Media Specialist
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Teacher
Recognized instructional leader
Collaborator/team player
Information specialist
Expert in instructional design
Manager of collections and resources
Background of Project LEAD
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IMLS National Leadership Grants
12-credit leadership curriculum
– Within the master’s degree
• 45 credits for already certified teachers (one additional course)
• National Board preparation
– Post-master’s certificate
– Within the specialist degree
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Project LEAD courses
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Information Leadership
Leadership in Reading
Leadership in Technology
Instructional Role of the Information Professional
Local and National
Advisory Boards
Interviews with
Unsuccessful Candidates
Student
“Guinea Pigs”
Curriculum
Development
Existing Research
and Statistics
Survey of Successful
National Board SLMS
Electronic
Discussion Groups
Project LEAD Personnel
Professors: Dresang and Everhart
 Teaching Assistant Daniella Smith
 Graduate Assistant Rachel Besara
 Project/Research Assistant Melissa Harrell
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Also working with fellowship students:
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38 other FSU faculty members, including 5 additional faculty with
school media/youth services specialization
Coordinator of Student Internships Renee Franklin
National experts in the National Board Certification process
Project LEAD Fellowships
Support the full cost of tuition and fees for
 an ALA master’s degree in Library and Information
Studies from FSU;
 eligibility for certification as a school media specialist in
the state of Florida (transferable to many other states);
 an award-winning leadership certificate that will be noted
on students’ transcripts;
 intense preparation for the National Board Certification
process (see www.nbpts.org).
Recipients’ Lasting Learning Community
Through
 specific courses taken only with other Project LEAD students.
 participation in one Educational Testing Service and one
American Association of School Librarians 2-day summer
leadership workshops in Tallahassee specifically designed for
Project LEAD students (expenses paid);
 preparation for National Board with others in your district and
around the state;
 participation in state and national conferences with Project LEAD
colleagues (expenses paid);
 formation of an ongoing statewide leadership group.
Other Fellowship Recipient Benefits
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A district-provided National Board Certified mentor throughout
the fellowship period
Assistance from Project LEAD TA and GA with online learning
and other course-related needs
Assistance from Project LEAD PA/RA with travel arrangements
for workshops and conferences
Opportunity to meet and network with other leaders in state and
nation
Opportunity to complete 6 credits each summer in 4 weeks rather
than 6 or 12 (culminating in on-campus workshops)
Requirements for Finalists
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District and FSU requirements
– Teacher leader questionnaire
– Principal recommendation
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FSU Graduate School requirements
– Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher; OR
– 1000 or higher on the GRE (GRE is still required even if GPA is 3.0
or higher)
• GRE website: www.ets.org/gre
– Admissions information:
www.fsu.edu/prospective/admissions/online/usgrado.shtml
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College of Information requirement
– Leadership essay
Requirements for Fellowship Recipients
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Take 45 credits of online coursework as a cohort - 6 credits per semester
(evenings)
Join the American Association of School Librarians ($40) and Florida
Association for Media in Education ($20) each year as a student member
Attend one national and one state conference during the course of the
program and serve as a volunteer (expenses are paid)
Come to Tallahassee for summer workshops in 2007 and 2008 (expenses
are paid)
Commit to work in a school media center after graduation for at least
three years
Intend to pursue National Board Certification in Library Media
Respond to all surveys or questionnaires required by FSU related to
Project LEAD
Project LEAD Timeline for Choosing Recipients
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Local district sets deadline for teacher leader questionnaire and
principal survey, shortly after FSU visit.
Finalists (not yet recipients) in each district will be chosen by FSU
faculty with at least twice the number chosen as there are
fellowships available.
Finalists will be notified as soon as possible (no later than 3 weeks
after FSU visit).
Application to FSU must be received by November 1, including
official transcripts.
Fellowship recipients and alternates will be informed by December
1.
Project LEAD Schedule
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December 2006 - Participate in self-paced online orientation
January 2007 - Start classes in January 2007
June 2007 - Attend 2-day summer workshop in Tallahassee
June 2008 - Attend 2-day summer workshop in Tallahassee
Fall 2007 - Spring 2009 - Attend one state and one national conference
with FSU Project leaders
Summer 2009 - Complete degree and leadership certificate requirements
in the first summer session 2009 (2 1/2 years); graduate in August 2009
Fall 2009 - Start work as a media specialist as soon as placed but Fall
2009 at the earliest
Take National Board as soon as eligible and prepared
Questions?
Project LEAD website
www.ci.fsu.edu/projectlead
Dr. Eliza T. Dresang
[email protected]
Dr. Nancy Everhart
[email protected]