Ced0565: Week Six - Final Thoughts

Now that we have completed Leadership and Planning, I have gained some new perspectives on what it means to be an effective leader in the educational system. Some of the things we learned, as well as the descriptions listed in the textbook, we not necessarily new to me, but it helped to have everything laid out in a way that was easy to understand. Many of the leadership skills I always search for in my co-workers and superiors were very much reinforced in the class; I think all of us want leaders who are assertive, organized, good listeners, insightful, and progressive. In addition, we want leaders who reinforce what we do in our classrooms, and those who are not afraid to "walk the walk" and jump into the trenches along side us. Finally, as the textbook described, we want leaders who value our knowledge and who ask for our insight on important decisions that go on everyday in our classrooms. These skills I have always held to be of the utmost importance, and I was thrilled to see them developed both in our discussions as well as in the textbook.

What I did find most revealing, although not necessarily new, was the whole concept of change within and planning for change. I don't know how other teachers feel, but when it comes to making changes, I have always felt ultimately powerless. I know there are many important things I do to help the school along, but when it comes to implementing changes, the decision always rests with the principal. Therefore, although I found the suggestions and strategies helpful, I'm not sure how effective they would be in my setting, and I wonder how many other teachers had the same gut reaction. Perhaps others find that their administrators are much like our author - someone who really seems to view his teachers as the stakeholders they are. In my rather limited experience, I have really seen a wide spectrum of leadership - those who relish that team feeling and those who see themselves as the wise and powerful Oz who hold all the answers. The hope, of course, is that more and more administrators, teachers, parents, and community members acknowledge their importance as a group.

As for my view of my own leadership potential, I do think I have many of the skills necessary to be an effective leader, but I also know that there are several areas in which I could improve. I think what I can do to help most in my current position is to continue encouraging and motivating others to go outside their comfort zone and get excited about new ways to teach. So far, I think I have been a fairly good resource, but I need to find time to be even more accessible to others when needed. I also clearly see that I need to start saying no to some of the bigger projects and focus on my students more. Right now I have my hands in just about every facet of the school and church building, from programming the A/C to updating the software for our heart machine, to reviewing security tape, that I am beginning to run out of steam when teachers are looking to me to spearhead classroom projects. I desperately need to refocus my attention and remind myself of what my first priority at my school should be.