One area I need to develop is the evaluation of teachers and staff.  Leadership entails that a person provides immediate and constructive feedback for evaluations.  The point of evaluating teachers is not to find weaknesses, but rather focus on the strengths and discuss on how other aspects of instruction could also become strengths.  The Charlotte Danielson’s framework for teaching is a great rubric that can be used in regards to the four main areas in teaching.  I need to become more familiar with the framework and feel comfortable when observing middle school and high school teachers. 

Another area that I need to develop is being comfortable working with all kinds of data.  I need to learn how to read it accurately and become familiar with all that it has to offer. I think data can help us see things we might not see otherwise. We might have processes or programs in operation for years. Once we look at the data from all angles, we might find that a program is not helping all students learn. Data helps us get to the root causes of a problem so we can solve the problem and not just the symptom.

One skill that I need to strengthen is listening to all stakeholders in my school and community.  I need to pay close attention to teachers when they are talking to me.  I need to listen to parents, not only what they are saying, but the emotional content of the message.  Listening to what students have to say is also important.  Students offer unique insights of daily life in school.  I need to learn the difference between understanding differing point of view and agreeing with them.  I know that I can not agree with each person but I will try and make every effort to understand and respect everyone’s point of view. 

Over the last two years I have learned what it takes to have strong leadership in a school.  My philosophy of leadership has many components that have been derived from my various classes and readings in the educational leadership program.  Leadership in my eyes is a combination of having an open mind, shared vision, strong collaboration, lifelong learner, and a willingness to take risks.  I feel I have come a long way in all of those areas of leadership.  How we interact and work with one another leads to success in anything.  I have learned that an important aspect of leadership is recognizing my personal strengths and weaknesses.  It is crucial to build on my weaknesses so that I can become a more complete leader.  It is also very important to rely on the personal strengths I do have in the leadership process.