Leadership+Statement

= Leadership Statement =

My leadership philosophy:

 * ** Spring 2011 **
 * You should lead with your heart and your head.
 * The best leaders are those who step back and reflect honestly.
 * Good leaders are those who treat others with respect.


 * ** Fall 2012 **
 * Good l eaders lead with their heads and their hearts.
 * Decisions are made with the best interests of those involved.
 * Decisions are based on research and best practices.
 * The best leaders are those who step back and reflect honestly.
 * Good leaders are involved.



What type of leader / manager am I?
I like to be involved with plans and decisions that will affect my classroom and me. After taking the // True Leader Quiz //, my thoughts were reaffirmed. I have just started becoming a true leader as I scored on the lower end of the “Realistic Leadership” area. I am off to a good start and this program will truly strengthen my skills. The article // How to Thrive as a Teacher Leader // explained a variety of roles for teacher leaders. The following are areas of leadership that I have participated in and skills that I possess. Although I have never been an official ** Note-Taker / Recorder **, I tend to take rather detailed notes when I am in a meeting. It proved to be quite helpful recently. At a Grade Level Meeting, the first grade teachers were discussing what we were going to use for our Spelling curriculum. The room seemed to have split opinions but after some discussion we came to a final decision. However, at the next meeting, teachers and administration were discussing what the previous decision was. And were unable to agree about what was previously decided. I was able to look back at my notes and remind others what we had decided. I have been a ** Presenter ** a couple times. It is not one of my most comfortable areas of leadership; but if I am presenting with others or to people I know well, I am a little more comfortable. When my close co-workers needed some technology hours, I was more than happy to explain to the three of them how to update their websites. I also was able to attend some reading workshops last year with a few other colleagues. A requirement was to present at the district’s Summer Academy. I was quite comfortable to present since I had others with me and I knew the material. During the first semester of the 2010-2011 school year, I was able to be a ** Host Teacher **. Another teacher and I shared a student teacher. Although “Miss Amanda” wasn’t with me continually, I was able to share some helpful information with her. Until our school secretary became more comfortable with the task, I unofficially helped as the school ** Web Page Curator **.
 * ** Spring 2011 **

There are a variety of leadership qualities that I possess. I am … Principled – I tend to be vocal at Grade Level Meetings. I have also agreed to be on curriculum committees so that I can have a voice in the decision-making. Altruistic – In many ways I possess this leadership quality. I spend many of my “duty-free” lunch periods in the lunchroom assisting our secretary. There are also several times throughout the school year when we need to eat lunch in our classrooms. I also give up many of my recess prep times to help students with work. Fair – I believe that I try to treat my students fairly. Accepting – I try to be very accepting of others. (I am not the judge!) However, I am human and I know that there are times when I am not this way.

I continue to like being involved with decisions that affect me and my classroom. When beginning this Educational Leadership Master's program, I scored on the lower end of a Realistic Leader. Now, at the end of this program, I am still a Realistic Leader, but my score this time is at the high end. I found it difficult to give myself scores of "5" because I feel that I will continue to grow and learn after this program.
 * Fall 2012

When I began this Educational Leadership Master's program, I had only been a **Presenter/Speaker** a couple of times in small group settings. Since then, I have presented at an In-service with another Kindergarten teacher, trained colleagues on new technology, and presented activities I use with my students in a small group setting. I have really realized the importance of sharing what I do well. This past February, I was also able to be a **Conference Attendee** at the Wisconsin State Reading Association. Wow! This conference was amazing and I could not wait to share what I learned with my colleagues. Another new role I took on was as a **Technology Leader**. When my district began to implement a new online grading system, I was asked to train as a technology coach that would be able to answer colleagues' questions.

I also possess a variety of good "Leadership Qualities" such as:
 * Principled** -- I will speak up for what is truly right.
 * Honest and Ethical** -- I act in ways that are pleasing to God.
 * Organized** -- I have methods in place to keep things running smoothly.
 * Perceptive** -- I really listen and look carefully.
 * Empathetic and Supportive** -- I try to experience first-hand so I can say, "Been there -- Done that!"
 * Altruistic** -- In my world, the students come first.
 * Fair** -- Fair is not always equal, but rather giving each person what he/she needs in order to be successful.
 * Accepting** -- I accept people for who they are. I try to find the positives.
 * Vulnerable** -- I make mistakes.

What do I believe about leadership?

 * Fall 2012
 * There are many different types of leaders.
 * A person can be different types of leaders in different situations.
 * It takes a variety of people and leaders to make a system work smoothly.
 * Burnout can and will happen if leaders do not get the support they need.
 * Some people are in leadership positions that they are not made for.