Not too long ago I issued a memo highlighting ways of improving Maxey’s instructional program. This was quickly followed up with professional development meetings, lively SIT discussions, and several policy changes. Today’s memo will serve as the next step in the natural progression of developing and framing ways to improve Maxey’s entire professional learning community. The time for laying every burden on teachers is over.…
The company I currently work for is Henry Ford Health Systems West Bloomfield MI. And the President is Lynn Torossian. Lynn has only been with our company since December of 2013. Lynn has several leadership styles that have made a positive impact on me. One of the leadership styles that Lynn uses is Participative also known as democratic leadership style. While Lynn has the authority to make the final decision for the company she still values the input of the team members, peers and fellow employees of the hospital. Anther leadership style that Lynn uses is the Transformational leadership style. I have noticed that in the short period of time that Lynn is a motivator. She is always motivating us and sharing her vision of the future with us. Lynn also communicates very effectively with us through weekly news reports or via emails.…
The following information was gathered in an interview with Andrea Williams, principal of Theresa Bunker Elementary School. In my experience working with Mrs. Williams as a teacher in this school as well as the time spent learning from her during these interviews, I can say with utmost assurance that Mrs. Williams takes her job as instructional leader very seriously. It is her top priority to lead this school in such a way that student learning is the center of all instructional decisions that she and the teachers make. She feels strongly that it is her primary responsibility to ensure the learning of all students. She strives to build a culture where student learning is the highest priority for each member of the staff. Mrs. Williams…
The current learner has reflected on Walden’s Mission, Values, and Outcomes, and one realizes that the Walden’s outcome and beliefs appear to have implications for one’s Portfolio of Visions. For instance, though the current learner truly appreciates four particular beliefs of Walden, namely: Walden University believes that an academic program (e.g., Walden MS Leadership program) should be learner-centric, and incorporates a particular learner's prior knowledge and allows the person to one’s academic work on their needs and interests; Walden University believes that positive social change enhances the dignity of the people, the equality and freedom of people, and the goodness of creation that supports all life; Walden University believes that a learner effects positive social change when one behaves as a…
When I volunteered for VBS at New Life Church I was able to create a family and deep relationships with the people I worked with. Because of the side program that I was involved in, called Lead School, it enabled me to learn how to be a more confident leader. This program also allowed me to interact with kids and impact their lives through Jesus…
Educational leadership directives are changing due to the fact of new administrative philosophies used to stay competitive with other postsecondary educational organizations. This style of leadership has evolved out of the changing culture and climate with increasing enrollment numbers, higher costs and decreasing financial resources. Staying competitive within the higher education system will be a top priority for all current and future leaders. How educational leaders establish a correlation between organizational forecasts, and educational outcomes often provide minimal reassurance and confidence among educators within an organization (Drew, 2012). Organizational leadership methods and behaviors need to change to meet the new challenges…
In order for a classroom to be truly inclusive classroom management considerations have to be addressed. Will the classroom atmosphere be conducive to learning for all students and how will the climate be modified or adapted to meet these needs? How will classroom goals and rules be established and are they visible and clearly stated in the classroom? Are academic standards clearly stated and visible in the classroom? Does the teacher effectively utilize differentiated instructional strategies for all students? Is the classroom arranged in a manner to accentuate student learning, for example: how are the desks arranged, is there a student seating plan in place, are bulletin or display boards cluttered and distracting, are there technology resources available to the students in the classroom? Are the teachers utilizing flexible co-teaching models in the classroom and is planning time scheduled to create effective lesson planning?…
York-Barr & Duke (2004) explore the idea of three forms of collaborative leadership; instructional, participative, and parallel, to conclude that effective teacher leadership requires leadership not being “vested in one person” (261-2). CHS’s divide in leadership empowers educators. Additionally, Stoelinga (2008) found that “The alignment between formal and informal organizational structures and the extent to which pathways of communication exist between them is a critical factor in the enactment of teacher leadership positions” (116). Becca speaks about herself and upper level management being a united “we,” bound by a common goal. She explains, “at the end of the day we have a mission, it’s really making sure any type of program meets the mission and gets us to that long term goal that we’re hoping to do.” The formal leadership of CHS, by providing a common mission as a standard for alignment and maintaining open pathways of communication, cultivates an environment which fosters individuals at all levels to become informal…
In becoming the principal that I want to be, I know the value of relying upon leadership practices that have been modeled in my own Catholic school experiences and that are varied as the administrators’ leaderships were before me. I realize that one size does not fit all and to be a leader that is a journey that needs fluidity and yet a concrete plan to achieve strong leadership. I want to flexible in my leadership and as Dr. Murphy states, xxnot be “ way too comfortable” (Lecture 7/12/16). I intend to be a leader that can model for my faith community, reflect upon my self for my faith community, and I want to lead along side of them, setting a collegial tone for the school. In The book Catholic School Leadership (2000), Michael Guerra states that, “research invariably links the success of individual schools in both public and private sectors to the school leaders” (Hunt, p. 87). In…
* Yuan, Teresa. “More Kids, Fewer Teachers For Lake Stevens Classrooms.”King5.Com. N.p., 30 Aug. 2011. Web. 7 Sep. 2011.…
In a school context, Dame Sally Coates (2015) tweets that, “leaders must always have one eye on the long term and one eye on the present; they must grapple with the minutiae of school life.” She sees schools at intensely human organisations who are engaged in the fundamental exchange of knowledge and skills from adults to children, creating a positive learning environment. Dame Coates stated that one thing that we learn in teaching, is that people want to be lead. People want to know where they stand and they crave the stability provided by a confident leader (Coates, 2015). So, what do school leaders actually do to bring about success? Schleicher (2012) sees school leaders as helping to define the school’s educational…
Instead of being just the regular Teaching Assistant who takes attendance during class, I plan to personally connect with my students. I will be a TA who students respect and find approachable and dependable. I will accomplish that by not only learning all of my student’s names, but by getting to know each individual’s interests and goals. I want my students to come to me when they need help.…
As John Maxwell states, ‘a great leader’s courage to fulfil his vision comes from passion, not position’. The same can be said for Watson Duke who goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that civil society has minimal labour issues. From a theoretical perspective, it is evident that Duke understands that leadership is a process and not a position as believed by the masses, because he applies both his expertise and experience to each situation and makes decisions according to the situation. Moreover, given the variability (many situational triggers) and depth of situations at the PSA, it is difficult to fully explain the effectiveness of its leadership. Thus, as previously stated, this assessment focusses primarily…
Ms. Hernandez earned a bachelor’s degree in science elementary education from Loyola University, a master’s of education in supervision and curriculum from University of Phoenix, LDE certificate from Regis University, many hours of professional development, and graduate course work from Aurora Public Schools and other institutions. This fall marks the beginning of her twelfth year in education. She has taught kindergarten, fourth, fifth, third grades,…
Teacher, Teacher is a play by Ellison Carroll in two acts which explores two different ways of teaching and learning. The traditional method of teaching is exemplified by Hamilton Cade, a young man who has been a teacher at many schools. The second method which is activity based learning or practical learning is tried by Charles Carter, an air force pilot but currently a handyman.…