Collaboration with Teachers

I'm starting the last of my classes for my MLS (Masters of Library Science) degree (graduate in 5 months!) and one of the first discussion boards I posted to is about collaboration.  This post made me reflect on how I've collaborated with teachers in my building and some tips regarding it:
1.) Put yourself out there!  Teachers are not going to come running to you -- they have enough on their plate and sometimes don't realize that you are there as a resource.  Send emails, chat at lunch, put notes in mailboxes.  Then start with the teachers that are interested.
2.) Familiarize yourself with the curriculum.  I know this sounds like a given, but many librarians can get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of running a library.  Start small – get pacing guides or overviews from the various departments/grades.  I find that working with the content areas (Social Studies and Science) or other specialists (Art, Music, Gym) is an easy way to start.  Many districts are pushing for reading across the curriculum and you can be a HUGE asset in that regard.  Suggest book titles to them or collaborate on a project (see #3).
3.) Project based learning – Learn it and Love it!  I will be doing a blog post on this in the future.  But I have found that collaborating on a project divides the work equally and then a rubric that both parties agree to can be devised.  Then grading can be shared (a common concern).
4.) WebQuests (see previous post).


As closing thought, think of collaboration as your way OUT of the library.  You can extend yourself beyond the walls of the library to the school at large.  Remember, you are an asset to your building and have much to share with your colleagues, you just have to make the connections!