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High School Administration - Head Media Specialist

The head media specialist for a high school campus is responsible for the operation of the media center, working directly with the students that come to the center, assisting in consulting with staff about media use and often being the information specialists in the building. This may include helping staff understand internet and technology use and services through professional development programs and in-services or through providing one-on-one consulting and support.

The head media specialist produces a yearly budget for supplies, equipment and staffing and presents it to the principal or management group in the school. The head media specialist, once the budget is approved, is responsible for ordering, installing and maintaining computers, audio-video equipment and other information technology equipment in the school and the media center. The media specialist oversees the booking, use, inventory and accountability issues of all equipment and ensures that teachers and students have access to the most up-to-date equipment possible.

Media specialists often teach classes on media to students in addition to managing the budget, working with clerks and librarians, coordinating teacher projects and requests and consulting with teachers. Much of the down time for the media specialist is actually spent researching new software and technology items that may be useful to school staff or students. Some media specialists may also organize fundraisers and work with community agencies to provide additional funds or training for the media center.

Common work activities include:

• Teaching classes to student regarding the use of various types of media in life, business and production jobs.
• Providing professional development to staff as requested either in small or large groups or by individual consultations.
• Managing, maintaining and coordinating use of all media equipment throughout the school or in the media center.
• Assisting students and staff using the media center.
• Developing a yearly budget and ordering, receiving and learning how to operate new equipment including computers, audio-visual equipment, recording equipment or other technology.
• Solving problems with equipment and services relating to media or technology as they arise.
• Networking with community agencies, businesses and professionals to increase the resources of the media center.
• Meeting with parents, students and staff to provide information on the equipment and services of the media center.

Check out all of the online K-12 education programs offered by a variety of schools offering programs online in K-12 education.

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