To Build..or Not to Build....That IS the Question....Right?!?

      Lol! Capacity Building in school districts...isn't that what we are SUPPOSED to be doing?!? Well OF COURSE we are! Now, are we actually doing this properly?....Who's to say?.. Not the teachers! This leadership is being "distributed" remember?? Some school districts leadership takes pride in educating their teaching staff for the latest and greatest trends in education. Some school districts leadership grumble at the mere thought of choking up $50-$150 per teacher for a workshops new innovations that they will probably never even use in the classroom. The point is...what does MY schools leadership think about capacity building and how in the world do we utilize it?

      When I think about money-saving venues the school's leadership takes, I automatically think of capacity building fitting along side it. Why? Because in order to pinch-pennies (even though they are sitting on millions of them) our school district uses distributive leadership as a means for capacity building. Leadership teams are sent to professional development workshops to learn and grow and bring that knowledge back home for the rest of the staff.  Individuals who are spunky, outgoing, as well as intelligent- are the ones who we send out to represent or school. These types of leaders are chosen because they will not only bring back valuable insight but a breath of fresh air when presenting the information. Yes, this seems a little one-sided or stereo-typical, but this is a prime example of how leadership roles are distributed at our school. This is how we ...build...on knowledge!

Transformational Leadership

When I think about leadership qualities...

    I think about all the aspects that come together to form a leader...

    I think about the ideas and goals set by the individual...

    I think about the vision that has a purpose and meaning that people will follow and be guided by...

    I think more about this visionary-type of leader because I think it describes who I am.

I am not a cut and dry, deal or no deal type of person. I like to be an encourager to those who need direction.  It's my hearts desire to mold people to be who they desire to be. I have a hard time just letting things be when I see my fellow educators struggling with a task. I want everyone to do the very best they can. Sometimes people just need a little push to get them there.  They need to know that their ideas don't go unnoticed, that their ideals have value and are meaningful.  A Transformational Leader is what I see myself as. It's what others see me as in my work place.   So, how is this quality beneficial in my school? It's necessary for the overall climate that the school evokes. You want to be in a place where you are considered more than just another teacher. You want to be... important, needed, heard..valued.  It takes leadership that is willing to go above and beyond for YOU, to make this happen.
    I take it as honor to be called a leader of any sort and think of it as a blessing that God has allowed me to be an inspiration to people.

Power Trip?

When I think about stakeholders on a power trip, it makes me so upset!

      While considering the importance of what a stakeholders role is in your district, you would hope that there would be a fair and equal representation by all individuals, but this is not the case everywhere. I have been involved with school districts where each stakeholder has a voice to be heard and utilized, where each opinion matters as valuable input. Those ideas are transformed into action for the betterment of the school. Then on the flip side I have been involved with a district that doesn't care what anyone else says, the school board runs the show, and that's that! You can waste your time, your energy, your skills...for nothing. Your voice is not recognized as valuable and you are to stick to what you know how to do best, teach or administrate...and let the school board make all the decisions that will affect your job and your students. What is so saddening to me is, that these men and women are elected by our communities, to do a good work, to be an asset to the staff...but instead there's such a power trip struggle going on. Now, if you have substantial pull in the community and have donated major bucks to a building program, THEN you might have a say so (or get elected to the school board). But, if you're "just a teacher"... you might as well be a hermit in your classroom, because your opinion doesn't matter. HOW IN THE WORLD does this make for a positive work environment?? KNOWING that you are just another paycheck? This is craziness to me!

    Teachers as stakeholders have one of the most important voices! We are the ones with the children everyday... we are the ones going to all these workshops that you require and learning all the new and improved  techniques and policies around our state...that's US! So why can't we be as valuable as we need to be? As valuable as we ARE? For heaven's sake school board members...we are the MVP's, so get off of the power trip! It's not about you! We work for the students..isn't that what yo pay us for? ; )

Strength Based Leadership in a Community of Practice

       As I sit back and observe the people in leadership positions in my school, I find myself analyzing their every move. Am I doing it to be ugly or critical? NO! I am doing it because I can't help myself after reading the fabulous book by Tim Rath called, StrengthsFinder 2.0. My eyes have been opened and I can see a new horizon. I continuously catch myself wondering...what are their strengths? How are they using it here in this situation? How do my strengths fair in comparison?  Then I stop myself and remember the whole purpose behind strength based leadership and what it means- knowing and recognizing that there are a multitude of people with different beliefs, values, lives even and taking this information as valuable in the eyes of the beholder. I don't have to compare my strengths to theirs! I am able to use my strengths in a manner that other leaders cannot, only because they may not posses the same strengths as I do. You lead, based on your strengths that you are equipped with!

      How does that fall into supporting our community of practice? Simple. Because our school is made up of different educators all with the same goal in mind, the same concern ~ student success, it is so easy to interact together to find ways to improve that student success.  Our passion for education is what leads us to work together. What keeps us going is the various strengths  that we all posses. Some are the Commanders, who step up and take charge to get things done, while others are the leaders who express positivity and encouragement (after the commander has hurt someones feelings).  Lol, let's face it we are all different and all have different strength based leadership skills. So, why not use those those to each others advantage for the well-being of our students?

Here We Go Again...

       Wow! Another college class....more financial debt! Is it even worth it? Do I WANT to be stressed out all the time again? Do I want to miss time away from my family? Do I want to be sleep deprived...AGAIN!? It's going to be so difficult this time around!  I've got three young kids... Can I do this? Is it worth the time? The effort? The STRESS?
        YES! It is worth it. I care so much about my children's futures that I want there to be a functional educational program for my babies! How can that happen unless teachers who already know the system get involved? WE are the ones who can make change for the betterment of the children!  We know the best practices in education. We are the ones who invented them! It takes leaders in the educational world to stand up and have a voice! 
        Before we can conquer congress, we must first arm ourselves with the best knowledge as possible...Personal Leadership. We have to mold ourselves into effective leaders so that our voices can be clearly heard.  We must first stop, and examine our hearts and minds before we are truly ready to step out and lead others to follow us in our vision of being on 'the right track' in education. Taking graduate courses specifically designed to help shape us as leaders, is a perfect way to begin our journey. What I want to get out of these classes is a complete understanding of myself as a leader. I want to be able to harness my strengths and weaknesses and learn how to utilize them effectively. I want to be able to make a difference in the educational realm and I must first prepare in order to achieve this goal.