Educators' Development Centre

16 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FOR 21ST CENTURY EDUCATORS

Inspiration by Maxine Driscoll

Yes, it’s almost vacation time! I know how tough it can be for teachers and school leaders. Right now you’re exhausted! Here’s some inspirational leadership quotes to help you reflect on all the wonderful things you do and to inspire you to think about the future.

1. A leader is a dealer in hope. Napoleon
2. The best way to predict the future is to create it. Peter Drucker, Management guru
3. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. President John Quincy Adams
4. We believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment and bridges are better than walls. Hilary Clinton, Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States 2016 election
5. Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Steve Jobs, co-founder and CEO of Apple
6. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead, anthropologist
7. As we look ahead into the 21st century, leaders will be those who empower others. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft
8. To lead people, walk beside them. As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence . . . When the best leader’s work is done, the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’ Lao Tsu, Chinese philosopher
9. A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit. Arnold Glasow, humorist and author
10. The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there. John Buchan, novelist, historian and politician
11. Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others. Robert Louis Stevenson, author
12. Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. John Kennedy, former President, USA
13. Great leaders harness personal courage, capture the hearts and minds of others and empower new leaders to make the world a better place. Maxine Driscoll, Author, Leadership Really Matters.
14. You have to be unique, and different, and shine in your own way. Lady Gaga
15. You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things. Mother Teresa
16. Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela, former President South Africa

If you want to progress into international education and make a difference in international school leadership, check out my tips on the Top 10 Characteristics of successful 21st Century School Leaders. You don’t need an international education masters degree to get started!

Thank you for the amazing contribution you give to prepare our young generations for their future. Have a well-deserved holiday.

TOP 10 CHARACTERISTICS OF AWESOME 21ST CENTURY SCHOOL LEADERS

21st Century Leadership, Success Tips by Maxine Driscoll

Good schools are driven by teachers, Principals and Heads of School who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of the children in their care. However, the challenges of 21stCentury global and technological advances have placed school leaders and teachers under more pressure than ever before.

How can you be a successful School Leader or and promote international school leadership? Here are the characteristics I believe you need to develop to thrive in the 21st Century.

Honesty and Integrity

As a leader you need to know yourself and your values. Find a school that aligns with your values and then model your values and the school’s values to all in your community. Make a personal commitment to be honest with yourself and your team at all times. Be transparent. Nurture honesty and integrity in your faculty and students. If you make a mistake, admit it, take responsibility for it, resolve it and learn from it. Always uphold your word and your promises.

Ability to Trust and Empower

Listen to your teachers and students. Learn their talents, interests and passions and then delegate accordingly. Empower them to take responsibility for tasks and projects. Be there to coach them and make sure you praise them for what they achieve.

Communicative, Collaborative and Connected

Openly seek and share information and knowledge. Seek to be understood and to understand others. Connect with the world via blogging and social media, and follow organisations relating to INTO international education. Collaborate with others virtually and face-to-face to ensure the best decisions are made.

Positive Energy

Always present a positive, pro-active and caring approach. Make the time to speak with students, teachers and parents. Get to know and value them by developing authentic relationships. Make sure you manage your health, well being and energy levels.

Confidence

Be confident and approachable, even if this is your first principalship or international school leadership role and you are feeling overwhelmed. Be visible, ask questions, value what you see and give praise for effective teaching and learning practices. As a leader you will be faced with difficult situations. In these situations, always stay calm and confident to maintain morale and confidence in the school community. Ensure your focus always returns to your strategic goals. The key objective is to keep everyone working and moving ahead.

Commitment and Persistence

Displaying genuine commitment and dedication is such a motivator to your teachers and students. Make sure you create short term and long term plans based on 21^st Century strategic visioning. Be 100% committed to the achievement of the school improvement goals. Adapt when unforeseen situations occur and then persist till the important goals are achieved. Never give up!

Willingness to Learn, Unlearn and Relearn

Never stop learning! The opportunities and possibilities of the 21^st Century are exciting and empowering for you and your school community. Be open to it and adopt a growth mindset. Seth Godin says, “If you’re not doing the things that scare you, you’re not really learning.” Attend workshops and conferences to learn from great 21^st Century leaders.

Entrepreneurial, Creative and Innovative

The ability to think outside the box is powerful. Creativity and innovation are great ways to manage the disruptions and complexities of the 21^st Century. Empower students and teachers to be resourceful, flexible, creative, to think like entrepreneurs and develop global partners and resources to succeed in our ever-changing world. Develop the school as an entrepreneurial organisation.

Intuitive

Learn to trust your instincts. Recent research shows that we can successfully solve problems intuitively. Listen to the voice within you; it comes from a wise and good place.

Ability to Inspire

Be inspiring! Address teachers, students and parents with speeches about noble 21st century educational possibilities, highlighting the school’s vision and mission. Create an enthusiasm and optimism to work together in creating future directions for the school. Continue this focus all through your tenure.