I Believe...

Leaders have the responsibility to plan, organize, lead, facilitate, mediate, evaluate, and communicate the shared school district mission. This is achieved by taking appropriate actions as an effective instructional leader as well as an organized manager.

“Leadership is a reciprocal process between leaders and their constituents, and any discussion of leadership must attend to the dynamics of this relationship” (Kouzes & Posner, 2012, p. 32).

“Leadership is action not position.” Donald H. McGannon

Upstanding Character

Leaders should act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner. An effective leader displays care, maturity, responsibility, loyalty, and respect. It is imperative to model the way. Kouzes and Posner (2012) state that titles are granted, but it’s your behavior that earns you respect. Education is a people business. Employees must feel their ideas are valued and respected.

Visionary

An effective leader inspires a shared vision. Effective leaders involve others, listen to their ideas, and give credit to others when appropriate. People must weigh in before they can really buy in (Lencioni, 2002). Fullan (2001) states that change is a process and not an event. Imagination is a key component of effective visioning. “Stretch yourself with ideas that seem unachievable. If the thoughts are laughable, then that is exactly what we are looking for. Create your own position. Create our future” (Kouzes & Posner, 2012, p. 133).

Inspiration

An effective leader is supportive, collaborative, and enables others to act. People admire and respect leaders who are dynamic, uplifting, enthusiastic, positive, and optimistic (Kouzes & Posner, 2012). Weber (2004) defines koinonia as, “The coming together in a solidified one-ness in an atmosphere of openness, honesty, trust, affirmation, support, and encouragement” (p. 16). “When people are proud to work for their organization and serve its purpose, and when they feel what they are doing is meaningful, they become enthusiastic ambassadors to the outside world” (Kouzes & Posner, 2012, p. 134). Snyder (2013) states leaders must conduct the orchestra, not boss it around. Respect and value for others is more important than hierarchy and job titles. It is important to motivate rather than dictate.

Dependability

We hold high expectations for students, staff, and ourselves. An effective leader is intelligent, competent, and consistently models lifelong learning. “To be credible you must do what you say you will do-DWYSYWD for short” (Kouzes & Posner, 2011, p. 26). A hard work ethic establishes a platform for success of any organization.

Communication

An effective leader realizes that communication, transparency, and stakeholder involvement are essential to any organization. Managers need to take a step back and empower stakeholders to see the big picture, press box view, in an effort to redefine employee perceptions, beliefs, and values (Snyder, 2013).

Student success!

• Student achievement and student success is the number one mission of educating children.
• Student learning is best achieved when working with others and not against them.
• We should focus on student achievement by implementing current research-based, data-driven instructional/curricular methodologies.
• That utilizing technology in the classroom is an integral part of preparing students for the future workforce.
• “Every child needs at least one adult who is ‘crazy’ about them.”
• "Every child deserves a champion-- an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." Rita Pearson