High quality leadership has been a focus at my school this year and has produced great results! Early in the school year, my administrator surveyed our staff on what their strengths, interests, passions, and philosophies were in education. She prefaced this by saying she would determine leadership opportunities for EVERY teacher in some kind of capacity. In the past, contributing to a leadership team or committee was in some ways "optional". This year, she made it clear that the strengths that each of us possessed were necessary in helping our school continue to progress in the direction it is moving.
Throughout the school year, teachers have participated on various leadership teams, committees, and district curriculum teams. As part of one of these teams, teachers are asked to create a professional development opportunity for staff members based on something they are doing with the team. Last week, our Math Committee worked together to share various resources and activities that can enhance our curriculum, instruction, and student engagement. What is great was the fact that I knew that the teachers on this committee were ones who had a strength and passion for this area. They are consistently implementing best practices in their classrooms. I loved that I could hear more about what they have used without having to find an additional time to observe or meet with them.
The distributive leadership is leading to the continued capacity building at my school. I hope that this practice continues into next year!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Connecting the Pieces...
Learning this week about the Forces of Leadership, I see myself as a combination of a Human and Educational Force. However, I currently feel more as a Human Force in my school, but am finding myself becoming more of an Educational Force as this year progresses. As a New Teacher Mentor at my school, I work hard to ensure that new teachers are feeling connected to what is happening in the school and making connections to staff members. My job is to provide support and encouragement to these new teachers as they are adapting to a new environment. I take a lot of pride in this role, helping teachers connect the pieces of our school together.
As I grow into a teacher leader, I do value the Educational Force leadership role as I want to be seen as someone who is knowledgeable in my field. I would love to have more student teachers and help mentor new teachers. At heart I am a collaborator and love to share whenever I have an opportunity to do so!
As I grow into a teacher leader, I do value the Educational Force leadership role as I want to be seen as someone who is knowledgeable in my field. I would love to have more student teachers and help mentor new teachers. At heart I am a collaborator and love to share whenever I have an opportunity to do so!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Who's got the power?!
Working in education for the past 6 years, it has become evident that each stakeholder has some kind of power and influence when it comes to decision making at our school. In most cases, final decisions are made at the district and administration level, however, other groups may have some power. Having your voice be heard, regardless of "position" (parent, teacher, student, community member, etc.), can be a great way to ensure that decisions being made are based on what is believed to be best for the school.
In my experience, I have watched parents create petitions to change school policies, students write essays to persuade the district to allocate funding to building a new playground, and teachers present to a school board to protest potential boundary changes. We can all make our voices heard and hold a piece of that power in our school. When these power forces join together, they can have a great influence of decision making that occurs.
In my experience, I have watched parents create petitions to change school policies, students write essays to persuade the district to allocate funding to building a new playground, and teachers present to a school board to protest potential boundary changes. We can all make our voices heard and hold a piece of that power in our school. When these power forces join together, they can have a great influence of decision making that occurs.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Strength-Based Leadership: Building a Positive Community of Practice
I'm spoiled. Yep. I admit it! My school is amazing. I love love LOVE the people I work with and for, the district that strives to push me beyond where I thought I could go, parents that would do just about anything for me, and students that light up my day with their creativeness, thinking, and compassion for one another. How in the world did my school become so amazing you ask? Positivity. Community. Strength.
I've always wondered what it would be like to work in a building where the focus was constantly on what was wrong with instruction, student learning, behavior, and so on. I have to believe that the overall feeling is dread, anguish, and certainly exhaustion. How would that environment change if the focus was strength instead of weakness?
Working in a community of practice that has leadership who is focused on strengths of the people within it, really does make all the difference! As far as I can see, everyone in my building is valued, respected, and celebrated by teacher leaders on a consistent basis. Knowing this, it is clear that the staff at my school has the desire to continue to build on their strengths, learn, and grow as professionals. As evidence of this, all classroom teachers at my school either are working on a Master's degree or have already obtained one! We consistently collaborate as grade level teams sharing what is working in our classrooms so that all students can benefit. The overall moral is high and feeling in the school positive. That affects EVERYONE that steps foot in our building. I am proud of that.
I've always wondered what it would be like to work in a building where the focus was constantly on what was wrong with instruction, student learning, behavior, and so on. I have to believe that the overall feeling is dread, anguish, and certainly exhaustion. How would that environment change if the focus was strength instead of weakness?
Working in a community of practice that has leadership who is focused on strengths of the people within it, really does make all the difference! As far as I can see, everyone in my building is valued, respected, and celebrated by teacher leaders on a consistent basis. Knowing this, it is clear that the staff at my school has the desire to continue to build on their strengths, learn, and grow as professionals. As evidence of this, all classroom teachers at my school either are working on a Master's degree or have already obtained one! We consistently collaborate as grade level teams sharing what is working in our classrooms so that all students can benefit. The overall moral is high and feeling in the school positive. That affects EVERYONE that steps foot in our building. I am proud of that.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Leadership that Inspires Leadership
Here we go...
Deciding whether or not to start another Masters degree was a big decision, but reflecting on where I am as an educator and where I want to be, made it pretty easy decision to make. Working at my school, I have been inspired by several AMAZING teacher leaders and see qualities in each one of them that I would too like to possess. Essentially, their leadership has inspired me to become a stronger leader!
Deciding whether or not to start another Masters degree was a big decision, but reflecting on where I am as an educator and where I want to be, made it pretty easy decision to make. Working at my school, I have been inspired by several AMAZING teacher leaders and see qualities in each one of them that I would too like to possess. Essentially, their leadership has inspired me to become a stronger leader!
As I viewed the course outline, several topics peaked my interest. School politics is something that now, as a 6th year teacher, I am becoming more aware of. I am interested to learn more about the typical stakeholders and their role in decisions being made. Also, I am excited to learn more about leadership styles and how they can affect a school. I hope through this course I can identify who I am currently as a leader, what direction, and philosophy I will take on as a teacher leader!
Throughout this course and my Master's degree, I hope to grow in my leadership skills, taking on roles and challenges that I may not otherwise volunteer for. My goal is to begin applying what I am learning into my daily school life and reflecting on the results. Overall I know that I am in the right place and ready to grow and learn as an educator. Let the journey begin! :)
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