Blog Post #8
Beth says you don’t need to have a title to be a leader. How are you a leader in your school and in your community? What have you done (or could you do) to take your leadership to the next level?
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Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about who you are, where you are from, what you teach and anything else you want to include!
I don’t always feel like a leader, and I’ll be honest some days I would rather just focus on my classroom and get through the day. I know leadership isn’t about having a title, and it’s something I step into more often than I probably give myself credit for. In my school, I lead by being consistent, dependable, and supportive of students and colleagues. I try to do what’s best for kids, even when it’s not the easiest option. I also lead through relationships by listening, offering help when I can, and being someone others know they can count on.
ReplyDeleteIn my community, leadership comes in the form of coaching my girls volleyball team, showing up at school events, and participating in fundraisers. To take my leadership to the next level, I know I need to be more intentional about stepping up, even when I am not in the mood or feeling confident. I could start by volunteering for roles that push me outside my comfort zone. Leadership requires showing up, and that’s something I’m working on doing more often.
I have had several leadership roles over the years- cheerleading advisor, mentor teacher, teacher/board negotiations, different committees, technology coordinator, lead teacher. I volunteer or sometimes get thrown into positions where they need a leader. I think people some times pick me because I am rational, I clearly state what the teachers want or need, I am passionate about issues important to others/myself, I see other sides of issues, I am not afraid to question and seek answers. I suppose, as Beth said in the video, I have courage and commitment to do what it right over what is easy.I always try to do what is right for the issue that I am presented. I have at times been disliked by some who want to choose the easy way or what the administration wants over what is right.
ReplyDeleteHow could I take my leadership to the next level? I could be more involved in my community. I volunteer but only when asked. I love to do it and it makes me feel good but I don't seek out any leadership roles in the community past being a soccer snack mom 30 years ago. I could do better in my community. In my school community, I was on a committee to search out and change the student SIS software and online registration this year. After we choose the company, I could be a leader by stepping up to be a part of the training but I kind of shrunk back "don't pick me" thinking of all the work that entailed because I had already previously been responsible for 3 other systems in the numerous years before. I always wanted to be in administration but with the leadership roles I have held over the years I had a lot of opportunity to execute many important and simple things in our school.
I recently took a leadership role when I took over Camp Invention. I had been an instructor for several years, and last year I became Director to bring the camp back to the community. In this role I am responsible for preparing everything for camp, communicating with parents and students, supporting my camp teachers, and ensuring that we have a safe space for camp.
ReplyDeleteI have also held leadership roles within my school. I have served on the math curriculum team and the STREAM team, and I have been part of interview teams—roles in which I helped make decisions for our school.
I feel like over the past couple of years, I have taken on more leadership roles at school. I've been a mentor teacher to several different teaching partners. I have taken on more student teachers. I have taken on the role of being on an education association committee, a new building exterior committee, interior committee, and a playground committee. I'm often asked to be on interview committees. I'm on a new reading curriculum committee and am piloting a program for our district. I help other teachers with behaviors of students that I've previously had. I step in when I see they need a break, if I'm free at the moment. I've been teaching for 24 years now and I feel since I've been in the same position for so long, I am just naturally asked to help lead in different ways.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the years, I have seen myself take a more leadership role in my school(s). In my old district, I was a mentor teacher to new hires, I was a part of a school improvement committee, building level committee, and led different meetings about the South Dakota State Test. Now that I am in a new school district, I have found new ways to be a leader. Our school has different committees to help school morale and growth, and I have found myself to be a leader in some aspects of our “Learning Committee.” I don’t lead the meetings or set the agenda, but I find myself more involved when we talk about data, testing, and progress. I voice my opinion more on the direction I think we should go instead of sitting back and listening. One way I think I could take my leadership to the next level is by trusting myself and my skills. Being in a new school and district, I am still learning the “ins and outs.” I am an experienced teacher and I know I have plenty of skills that are viable to the school. I just need to trust myself as a leader and demonstrate those skills. Another way I can enhance my leadership skills is to get more involved. I find myself at times sitting back in meetings not participating. I need to be more vocal and involved in order to help our school and students become more successful.
ReplyDeleteThe last few years, I have been a leader of the middle school team. I take on organizing fun days, meetings within our team, and help teachers with technology. I love to be able to help where needed and my team appreciates it as well. At times, I wish I could do more but feel like I shouldn't because I am just a teacher. I could take my leadership to the next level by helping more and offering my help. Sending out emails or talking to my team of how can I help them.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel like a leader and I do have leadership roles in my church and community. Sometimes I feel like I do not want the responsibility. I love teaching and there are lots of opportunities to become a leader and not be in administration and that is where I am comfortable. I feel the need to have a work life balance and I feel like I have that, and as I am getting older it is getting easier to be able to say no, or hold my ground when something feels like to much. I feel like I am a good leader if I believe in what I am doing but I do not want busy work or to feel like I am overwhelmed with something that I do not have the passion for or the time for to be able to do it right. I think every teacher is a leader in their own classroom and sometimes that is just where I am comfortable.
ReplyDeleteAt my school, I’m on the PBIS team and my role is the activator. My role as the activator is to lead our PBIS meetings by facilitating a discussion during the meeting. In the PBIS meeting we look at our SWIS data and where we can improve upon in our school. We set goals each month and we plan with fidelity on how we can achieve this goal. We communicate with staff on areas where we are struggling along with what are goals for this month are. Each month, we look at how we did this month. We are constantly working to improve our school environment and areas where we are struggling.
ReplyDeleteBeth says you don’t need to have a title to be a leader. How are you a leader in your school and in your community? What have you done (or could you do) to take your leadership to the next level?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if this response will count or not, but honestly I don't want to be a leader. My personality is more fit as a follower. For example, I am the assistant HS girls basketball coach in my school district. I never ever want to be head coach. I absolutely love basketball, but have no desire whatsoever to be a head coach. I actually love it when the head coach gives me a task or job to do (and same in school) I love being the behind the scenes person, not the person in front. My strengths align more with being a great employee (I hope my boss would say that!) I will do my job to the best of my ability, but I never want to lead anything and do not have the desire to do so.
Beth says you don’t need to have a title to be a leader. How are you a leader in your school and in your community? What have you done (or could you do) to take your leadership to the next level?
ReplyDeleteI recently accepted a new job in a field I had/have very little knowledge about. I find this job exciting and I have also found out how hard it is to lead.
Being in the leader position is this role is somewhat scary to me. I had taught for many years. Leading a classroom of children is so much different than leading adults and children in this situation.
I have been asked to help in areas I have no idea what to do. Thank goodness I have a very good mentor. With his help and guidance, I am more comfortable making those decisions and plans I had never done before.
As I said, I taught for years. Being the leader in the classroom is different. I was trained in my education classes the skills I needed to make sure the curriculum was taught correctly. I was given help from other teachers who "knew the ropes." Through the years, the role of being the leader became natural.
With my new job, I use those skills from when I taught, now in my current position. Adapting those ideas from education has helped me transition into this new role. It doesn't matter what job I have, I do my best, give my all and try to create a friendly relationship with all I deal with.
One thing I agree with is about leaders with a title. In most cases, people don't need a leader who is looking for faults all the time. People need leaders who respect you and want to help you become the best you can be.
In my community - I am a leader in my church as I help with Children's Ministry, lead activities in VBS, etc. At work, I am currently in mid-management leadership which has it's own challenges - but I do see myself as a leader and hope to be a good leader to my team. I've worked alongside my boss for 20 years - starting on the same day with equal positions. She later left the organization and came back 9 months later as our President. It has been fun to journey with her the past 15 years, because we work really well together. I like leading, but I also don't like to make ultimate decisions. I am more practical and operational and she's more strategic - so we are a great team. Throughout the years, I've grown in my leadership and strive to ensure my team feels supported, heard, and valued. Since we have such a small team overall, our titles don't always change, but the depth of our positions is constantly growing and deepening.
ReplyDeleteI want to grow in my leadership by not avoiding hard conversations and being more open minded to allow the team to do things their own way. I recently saw a post that said, "6+3=9, but so does 5+4. The way you do things isn't always the only way to do them. Respect other people's way of thinking. Unknown **This was really humbling to me and I'm trying to keep it top of mind to grown in my leadership!
I wholeheartedly agree with being a leader and not needing a title. We can be leaders by simply setting a good example in front of those we see on a regular basis. Currently, I lead at church in the nursery and on the worship team. I love being able to use my gifts to help and encourage others in these areas.
ReplyDeleteAt home, I am a leader every day to my kids. They look to me for how they should live, how they should react, and what they should do. I especially see this in my toddler. She loves to copy my every word and my every move. It is very precious, and also very nerve wracking! I strive to set good examples for them, and to show them what good leadership looks like.
My role as a "leader" came from being the oldest teacher and the one who had been employed the longest at my last school. I naturally was "given" the role of leader, without the title and without me really wanting this position. But it is a state of honor to be considered a leader, however you achieve or step into the role. When you know people look up to you, or are following you, it is a great responsiblity. At my current job, I am not the one that has been there the longest and I don't have that same "leader" role. Yet I am a leader in that I want to leave conversations and situations better than I found them. To be a lifter of spirits and someone who looks for the positives, in a realistic way. To hold myself to a higher standard as "character is who you are when no one is watching". Becuase some one usually is watching and who you are in private will show up in public whether you intend to or not. I have also learned to remain humble and honest .These are qualities we look for in leaders.
ReplyDeleteBeth says you don’t need to have a title to be a leader. How are you a leader in your school and in your community? What have you done (or could you do) to take your leadership to the next level?
ReplyDeleteI agree that a title does not define a leader; you can lead effectively without one. Like many others have shared, I believe we are all leaders within our own classrooms. At my school, I have been a part of the MTSS team, and I am currently piloting a new reading curriculum. I also tend to take the lead naturally on a regular basis for small school events.
I truly enjoy what I do, which often leads to volunteering for roles that offer leadership opportunities. However, I think stepping out of my comfort zone is what will truly take my leadership to the next level. I often overthink things and worry that others might be judging me, but I realize that growth ultimately comes down to being myself and appreciating my own contributions.
Leadership. I have lead IEP meetings, After school art club, I lead a small team of students to create a mural for the elementary school most recently . Leadership requires communication and time. Communication, confidence and courage are important attributes as a leader. Listening is another good attribute, empowering and inspiring others to participate and think for themselves. Leaders and their team aren't perfect they are human and need to have grace and humility to be a approachable and good team players.
ReplyDelete