Leadership Philosophy

Effective leadership is getting other people motivated enough to follow your lead or goal.  Someone who wants to lead might feel that they have something to offer that may better a situation.  It is this offering that drives and stimulates the desire to lead.  It’s a form of fulfillment for the individual.  This vision is what it means to be an effective leader. 

Anthony Brky and his colleagues (2010) state “the school-learning climate is student-centered; students sense that their classrooms are safe and free from disruption, their teachers take a personal interest in their learning, and their peers are not antagonistic toward academic success (313).”  School leaders have a responsibility to be mentors and role models to students. They have a responsibility to cultivate a sense of community and belonging.  The quote, “It takes a village to raise a child”, rings true in so many ways.  Education is a collaborative effort that needs leadership and a strong vision.  The school-learning climate also positively influences strong parent-school community ties.  Cooperation among all stakeholders is essential.  A community is an essential extension of a school.  Relationships between a school and its’ community, whether educational, entrepreneurial, or charitable, should not just be encouraged but pursued.

Lee and Shute (2010) state, “Social and parental influences make up the environmental forces at work on the school.  Parental involvement is participation and support of school activities, for example, volunteering for PO/PTA and other school-community endeavors.  Further, positive expectations and aspirations that parents hold for their children’s education influence academic achievement (311).”  We must value and foster relationships with parents and family.  The power of having all significant adults working together to raise a child cannot be underestimated.  No one understands more than parents, our partners, informed and actively engaged in their child’s education.  But all parents are not created equally, so we also have a responsibility to educate and inspire good parenting within our community.   For those children who do not have a significant adult role model at home, we have an obligation to create opportunities for our educators to provide caring guidance.  Every child that cannot find an adult to connect with in a school is a child that we have failed, and every child we have provided a meaningful relationship with is a success to be relished.  Caring, compassion and empathy are cornerstones to a meaningful educational relationship.  

Greenleaf (1977) states, “The servant-leader is servant first...it begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.  That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions.”  School leadership is made possible through characteristics that enable an individual to step to the front of a situation and take command by either overseeing, delegating, or providing guidance.  As a principal, being  the kind of leader that people trust and respect, does not come through a title alone.  It is something that has to be earned with time and hard work.  In order to gain the respect of the teachers, students, staff, and parents, you have to give respect first.  That is why it is important as a leader to have an attitude of servitude.  That does not mean that you allow people to step all over you or do their job, but you make yourself readily available to help people out should the need arise.  By doing this you set up a basis for success as a school leader because the people under you are more likely to accept changes, solutions, and advice if they respect you.

References

Hoy,  W. K.,  & Miskel,  C. G.  (2013).  Educational Administration - Theory, Research,

      and Practice.  New York, NT:  The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Servant leadership. (n.d.) . Retrieved December 9, 2012 from the Wiki:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servant_Leadership

One thing I have learned throughout the last year and a half is that an educational leader is a good listener and listens more than they speak.  A leader can demonstrate this by giving followers the opportunity to voice their ideas.  Followers need to feel that their leader is approachable and willing to listen.  One way I plan on doing this is by having my door open and encouraging communication with all staff, students, and parents.  

After taking EDL 702 with Dr. Kaufman, I realized how important ethics is in school leadership.  I never really thought about how ethics play such a vital role in education.  After taking his class, I realized that personal integrity is an important part of being an effective leader.  I hope that my actions will serve as an example for others and will be based upon honesty, respect and fairness.  I will keep my word and will treat people fairly and with respect for diversity and the rights of each individual.  I will trust the members of my team to make sound, ethical decisions and I will guide and support them.

One thing that hasn’t changed in my Leadership Philosophy is that school is a place where students can learn, where teachers can teach, and where everyone is committed to excellence.  Administrators, teachers, parents, students, and the community are co-owners of the school and must work together to improve the school.  Professor Rivera-McCutchen keep emphasizing this throughout EDL 703.  It is important to build a sense of community within and around the school.  A sense of community will promote growth among all members of the school community. It is also important to include every aspect of a community within the daily school life.

Once I start leading a school, I do feel that some aspects of my educational philosophy will change.  To be an effective and efficient leader it is important to take time at least once a week to reflect.  Self-reflection gives a person the opportunity to reflect on how activities, tasks, presentations, teaching, etc., went.  Through self-reflection I will be able to know what went well or how things can be improved upon for next time.  Leadership is not about always doing something the same, but rather making changes and adjusting things when needed.  Leadership is being able to adapt to multiple situations and finding the strengths to build upon.