Leadership

Through my studies and professional work I have shown leadership competence by:

1. Collaboratively accessing and improving culture, and climate;
2. Providing purpose and direction for individuals and groups;
3. Modeling shared leadership and decision-making strategies;
4. Demonstrating an understanding of issues affecting education
5. Through a visioning process, formulating strategic plans and goals with staff and community;
6. Setting of priorities in the context of stakeholder needs;
7. Serving as a spokesperson for the welfare of all learners in a multicultural context; Serving as a spokesperson for the welfare of all learners in a multicultural context;
8. Understanding how education is impacted by local, state, national, and international events;
9. Demonstrating the ability to facilitate and motivate others;
10. Demonstrating the ability to implement change or educational reform.

Reflection:

There are so many ways to lead, and through my masters courses and my practicum experiences, I was able to see the different kinds of leaders and their effectiveness in many situations. I have already had experience leading in a head coaching role for basketball, but a school setting is a different animal with many different moving parts. No matter the personality of the principal, the position requires confidence in decision making, effective communication, promotion of positive school culture and climate, and a focus on building open, honest, trusting relationships with all stakeholders, including teachers, students, and the community.

Principals must be able to communicate a vision and direction for the school and staff and motivate both students and teachers to strive for the best versions of themselves every day. The textbook Feed the Teachers from ED 640 gave a ton of really useful ideas to make connections, build relationships, and promote the well-being of the teachers in the building. I can use those ideas as well as many others from my studies and practicum to hone my leadership skills and develop who I am as a leader, someone who is there for students, teachers, staff, and the community every day of the year.

Finally, it is critical for an administrator to know how to effectively implement change and educational reform as large-scale changes can have a significant effect on the climate and culture of a school. I have learned through the classes that as a new administrator, it is important to make connections and relationships prior to changing fundamental aspects of the school or its operations. Once there has been time and trust established, careful consideration must be made when reforming policies and practices, and using a tool like the Change Matrix from ED 640 will help create sustainable change with as little confusion, anxiety, frustration, resistance, etc.