Reflect

Growth as a Teacher Leader

I'm very grateful to have embarked on this TLI journey because it changed the way I think about myself as a professional. I began to look beyond the scope of my personal practice and spent time thinking about how I wanted to impact the practices and policies that are integral to my profession. I began to shift from wanting to have a voice to seeing myself as a leader.

Though I am just beginning to develop my capacities as a teacher leader, the awareness I developed throughout the TLI process has helped me begin to define who I want to be as a leader.

Overarching Competency #1: Group Processes

Developing- My involvement in several collaboration groups lead me to a closer examination of the role of a leader in group dynamics. Through observation, listening and reflection, I have developed a greater understanding of how to lead groups. The COVID-19 shutdown presented a very difficult situation that I navigated with my colleagues.

Overarching Competency #2 - Adult Learning

Developing- Through observation and discussion, I have learned to seek understanding of the diverse needs of adult learners and how to adapt collaboration to meet their needs and utilize their strengths. The involvement of a diverse set of educators in our Techie Tuesdays allowed for teachers to learn from one another and share their areas of expertise.

Diversity, Equity, Cultural Competency- Explore and Challenge Inequity

Developing- Because of the TLI process, I began to examine the role of diversity and equity place in my life and education. I had no idea that equity would be a core focus of this program and I benefitted from the readings and discussions around privilege and race. The combination of current events and my heightened awareness lead me to contact the president of our statewide union to suggest a workshop on race for Montana public employees. I also attended a Facebook Live event town hall event to discuss safe reopening of schools. These are communications I would not have engaged in had I not begun to examine and understand different forms of oppression and inequities. I am engaging in ongoing self-education around race and privilege by reading "Me and White Supremacy" and listening to relevant podcasts. I have also begun to compile a booklist of texts focused on diversity that I can use to transform my classroom library and share with others.

Instructional Competency- Facilitating Collaborative Relationships

Performing- At the beginning of this process, I recognized the importance of collaboration but my experience was limited to my grade-level colleagues. By going through the process of investigating various stakeholders to involve in my project, I realized that my professional connections could have a farther reach and moved past mental barriers that kept me from connecting with those in positions of influence. I established or strengthened connections with my deputy superintendent, union leaders and my administrator. I also facilitated collaboration among diverse peers through the groups that set up.