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.