Leadership
Project reflection
The personally believe the purpose of this project is for the students to view themselves as leaders. I never thought about myself as such until I had to describe myself as one (a leader). I was able to showcase my creative skills by taking someone I admire (Issa Rae) and using her quotes to describe each of my the characteristics I chose.
This project allowed me to reflect on the various leaders I've worked under and how I view their contributions to my professional journey. I now have a clear understanding of how I value leadership.
innovative
"I found that every time I asked permission, the answer tended to be no, so I had to make my own yeses." -Issa Rae
I never had the pleasure of meeting Rita Pierson due to her death, but she has had a profound impact on my teaching career. Her amazing and uplifting Ted Talk in April 2014 was what I needed to see. I envisioned the type of educator she must have been and how many lives I'm confident she has positively changed.
One of my teammates is always coming up with innovative ideas on the spot. Aishia Daffin, Westlawn Middle's instructional technology coach, pulls creativity out of me and makes me think of ways in which students can create content that will showcase their understanding of the instruction presented to them.
authentic
"My confidence comes from doing what I love to be honest, like to be able to create something from the ground up and to be able to... kind of walk in your purpose is a great feeling." -Issa Rae
Leaders should have a vision of how those they follow will help them reach common goals. They have the power to affect the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of others. In order to be effective, they must show both leadership and management skills. Sadly, educators don't consider themselves leaders. I work with teachers everyday who inspire me to think outside of the norm.
Rachel Goggins is an instructional coach for Oakdale Elementary. She spoke at last year's Institute Day, which is a day set aside for all employees within the system to connect. It's kind of like a pep rally to kick off the school year. Not only is she a kind and loving person, she is also passionate about educating all students no matter the background. It's one of the many things I admire about her. There have been many instances where she has showcased her authenticity. One being when she expressed her concern about teachers not willing to work with her because she is new to her role as instructional coach. Although she has those concerns, she still exudes her commitment to her purpose as an educator by the effort she puts into her work and the hours she spends on professional development. Rachel is also the Lead Ambassador for the district. To add, Rachel recently became a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT).
Committed
"Stop making excuses; you're the only one stopping you." -Issa Rae
Commitment is an attribute that is oftentimes taken for granted in education. Mrs. Nichani is one of the elementary principals I serve. She consistently shows commitment to her role as a leader in the district and school. Mrs. Nichani is exemplary in her expectations, guidance, and work ethic. What she expects from her faculty and staff, she also expects from students and their families. She knows the benefits of parent involvement and does a good job of showing her gratitude for the hard work of all those she leads. Mrs. Nichani makes a conscious effort to stay up to date on educational technology teachers are implementing and how those tools can be applied to her role as a leader.
I call Mrs. Nichani a fierce leader because she is small, but mighty. I enjoy working with and learning from her. She has taught me so much about the significance of building community with those you work with, putting an emphasis on the who, what, and why of the profession, and the strength of high expectations for all. I am thankful that I have the honor of serving her faculty, staff, students, and families.
Visionary
"Stop finding the ways you can't do something and find all the ways that you can and just go for it." -Issa Rae
Leaders should have a vision of how those they follow will help them reach common goals. In order to be effective, they must show both leadership and management skills. Sadly, educators don't consider themselves leaders. I work with teachers everyday who inspire me to think outside of the norm.
There will always be people who tell you no, who don't find your vision to be logical. It has happened to me many times. I have been lucky to come across a leader whose vision and ethics I believe in and support. Mrs. Nichani has been a principal of Tuscaloosa Magnet School - Elementary for about four year. We actually began our new roles in education at the same time. She makes a consistent effort to work alongside the teachers who follow her to support students and families with whatever they need. She is also a person who likes procedures and guidelines. I have known Mrs. Nichani to barely sleep because she is almost always working on a plan to support her teachers while being a wife and mother. I honestly don't know how she does it.
Mrs. Nichani doesn't back down. She asks the questions most people won't ask and demands the truth as a response. While in principals meeting that is scheduled for every Wednesday, I noticed Mrs. Nichani puzzled by a comment by the superintendent. Her colleagues who also looked puzzled looked around at one another. Instead of making an assumption of what she thought he meant, Mrs. Nichani raised her hand and asked for clarification. She has always told me that she wants to know what is going on so when she refers the information to her faculty, she is clear and confident in her message. Mrs. Nichani is also very supportive of her faculty. She treats them like family and makes them feel appreciated and respected. Although she is the leader, she makes it a point to get their input on issues that may affect them and their students.
honest
"Tell the f***ing truth." -Issa Rae
I think it is very important to be an honest and fair leader. Fairness does not look the same for everyone. One thing I do as an instructional technology coach is give honest and compassionate feedback. Teachers tend to gripe about what they can't change. It serves no one to focus on problems. Venting is a coping mechanism and a stress reliever that we all need, but it can also override our work if we aren't careful.
I encourage teachers to speak up and out about an issue they feel isn't serving their students' well being. Many times decisions are made that can and will negatively affect students. For example, while teaching Prekindergarten, I was reprimanded for not allowing students to nap on cots that were urinated on the year before by my previous students. My "coach" did not like that I purchased napping mats for students instead. My thinking was and remains that no one would want their child sleeping on unsanitary cots. I spoke up and out about it. Although I got written up, I maintained my stance on the issue. As educators, our expertise is sometimes ignored even when we are right. I will never be silent on issues that affect any child.
Empathetic
"Embrace who you are and embrace what makes you different." -Issa Rae
I am an extremely empathetic person. As a leader, it is important to be mindful of how people feel in situations that affect their mental stability and their ability to create positive change. Leaders have the power to affect the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of others. In doing so, they must be considerate and knowledgeable of how they impact people they follow.
As an instructional technology coach, I think it is significant that I be empathetic to those who are overwhelmed, burnt out, or just need a listening ear. Many teachers view technology as a negative instead of a positive. I listen to their concerns, most times not giving a response. Sometimes, all they need is a for someone to listen to them without judgment. I know how that feels so I try to be who and what I needed for teachers when I was in their position. I have had teachers cry in my arms because they didn't feel they were making a difference. I have had teachers on the verge of walking out because a student would just not show her respect. I have had parents upset about the treatment of their child. In all those situations, I leaned on my empathy to change the negative outcome into a positive.
While in a PLC meeting with fifth grade teachers, I witnessed Mrs. Nichani (principal) offer a teacher grading and instructional advice when the first year teacher lacked understanding of how to grade written responses on poetry stanzas. She did not scold the teacher or act as if she should automatically know all there is to know about grading and strategies for student writing, she helped her and made her feel comfortable expressing her concerns and vulnerability.
creativity
"There is so much creativity in brokeness. Brokeness will have you making it work." -Issa Rae
Some of the teachers I support are incredibly creative. It is nice to see them push through the barriers of programs like Reading Street, Reading Horizons, and Investigations to create what they feel their students need. Teachers are told to be creative, but forced to use programs that stifle their creativity.
Students are leaders in so many ways, especially in edtech. They are able to figure out ways to bypass filters, change their grades, etc. Although some students don't use their creativity for good, those that do, lead their teachers into digital transformation.
I have taught students who endure insurmountable circumstances, and yet, some of them beats the odds. When given the opportunity and encouragement, they showcase their creativity and passion in ways that they themselves are shocked by. I am always encouraging teachers to challenge students by implementing true project-based learning into their instruction. It has been my observation that many children just want to find ways to change the world. Giving them real-world problems they would like to attack or allowing them to express themselves using whatever creative outlet they can will be a catalyst of change in their lives.
bold
"I thrive on obstacles. If I'm told that it can't be done, then I push harder." -Issa Rae
It has been my experience that being bold is frowned upon under certain leadership. Most leaders I have worked under want you to conform to the rules and guidelines even if those making the rules are wrong or not knowledgeable of what needs to happen.
I was once reprimanded for reading a book (Junie B. Jones) to my first graders right before I had to leave. They were cleaning up math materials when some of the central office staff walked in. I had a substitute coming so I wanted to students to be at ease and the room to be clean before she arrived. I always read at least one chapter a day to my students. We called it story time. The central office staff didn't find the fact that the students enjoying a read aloud and thoroughly engaged in the story satisfactory. They were upset that I wasn't teaching math at the time.
It is unfair to teachers to be expected to teach at the same pace as their grade level colleagues. Teachers have become programed to follow programs in order to educate students, which defeats the many hours in courses that emphasis lesson planning, teaching concepts using literature, etc. I stood up to my principal at that time stating that I had to leave (which is something that she knew, but didn't mention to the central office staff) and that even though what my students were engaged in was no longer math at the time, it was still an educational experience that they benefit from. If leaders want teachers to be innovative and visionaries, they must support their initiatives when they are frowned upon.