Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Distributive leadership is used at Kentwood High School where I did my teaching observations. The Administration made a point to change the culture from everyone relying on them to lead the school to more of a collaborative faculty effort utilizing distributive leadership.
The faculty meets every Tuesday after school in PLC's or Professional Learning Committees to come up with a plan to improve on students progress and their test scores. In doing so, they can take steps to improve on the schools capacity for growth.
Distributive leadership helps the school grow through faculty buy-in. They are helping plan and troubleshoot which gives them pride in what the outcome will be. They are able to work together with other teachers to overcome weaknesses and can be helpful to others as they utilize their strengths. It becomes a team effort and even specialized within the various departments. The math department may collaborate differently than say the social studies department would.
In the end, distributive leadership is a good thing that has been introduced in schools.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
WEEK #4
After reading the Forces of Leadership information I took a look at my own leadership experiences and tried to figure out which of the styles I was most similar too. I am very analytical in nature and I have natural strengths when it comes to planning and managing my time. I typically also have a back up plan and find myself prepared to adapt if things do not go as planned.
As a former youth director at a church and high school basketball coach I was in my natural element. I was at ease and thrived in planning trips, outings, events, practice plans, game plans, etc. I typically would have every aspect including how much time different things would take planned out.
If I was teaching, I believe I could benefit the school by taking on a leadership position in department meetings. I would be sure to keep the group on task and would make sure things were done on time. I also would bring that level of organization into the classroom and would teach my students small things that could help them in the areas of time management, planning, and being organized.
After reading the Forces of Leadership information I took a look at my own leadership experiences and tried to figure out which of the styles I was most similar too. I am very analytical in nature and I have natural strengths when it comes to planning and managing my time. I typically also have a back up plan and find myself prepared to adapt if things do not go as planned.
As a former youth director at a church and high school basketball coach I was in my natural element. I was at ease and thrived in planning trips, outings, events, practice plans, game plans, etc. I typically would have every aspect including how much time different things would take planned out.
If I was teaching, I believe I could benefit the school by taking on a leadership position in department meetings. I would be sure to keep the group on task and would make sure things were done on time. I also would bring that level of organization into the classroom and would teach my students small things that could help them in the areas of time management, planning, and being organized.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Week 3 Blog - Power Dynamic
Being that I do not work in a school I will describe the power dynamic at the school that I did my observations in. The Principle primarily reports to the District Office and spends much of his time collecting data and reporting the results to the school board. He also walks the hallways and is farely involved in talking with students and setting a relational tone between students and staff. The staff and Administration are all very approachable.
The Assistant Principles are very hands on with the staff. They clearly take their marching orders from the Principle and they meet with the various department professional learning committees to ensure all of the classes are aligned and that the teachers are teaching towards results. They coach teaching to the state standards.
The teachers are asked to not only do their own class but they are also encouraged to all be involved in extra-curricular activities. This has a major positive influence on the overall school environment. Teachers are out in the hallways between classes to spend time building relationships with kids as they move from class to class.
The Assistant Principles are very hands on with the staff. They clearly take their marching orders from the Principle and they meet with the various department professional learning committees to ensure all of the classes are aligned and that the teachers are teaching towards results. They coach teaching to the state standards.
The teachers are asked to not only do their own class but they are also encouraged to all be involved in extra-curricular activities. This has a major positive influence on the overall school environment. Teachers are out in the hallways between classes to spend time building relationships with kids as they move from class to class.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Week 2: Strengths Based Leadership
I took my strengths based test and found I am strong in five areas. They are Competition, Deliberative, Activator, Relator, and Command. I have learned a lot about my leadership strengths through this exercise.
I am strong in Competition. I thrive in situations where I can measure my progress against the progress of others. I want to know the score and my goal is to win. This is so true! I was a very competitive athlete and even played college basketball. I want to win whether I am playing a sport or playing a game of checkers.
I am Deliberative. I put a lot of thought and care into the decisions that I make. I am known as being dependable and anticipate obstacles before they happen.
I am an Activator. I make things happen and turn thoughts into action. I have been known to step forward and to take charge. I bring a lot of enthusiasm and energy and have the ability to motivate others to join me. This is so true! I am a doer. If I think something is a good idea, I will will typically make it happen.
I am a Relator. I do enjoy the relationships I form with others. I have been known as a good counselor and others do seek out my advise. I am also very open when others ask me to share my perspective. Again, this was spot on. I do enjoy the relationships that I form and enjoy helping others.
I am in Command. I have a presence and have been in many roles where I naturally take control. Some examples would be as a basketball coach and as a youth pastor.
I believe it is very important to know your strengths and to encourage those you lead to know their strengths as well. Being aware is critical to being successful. When a staff or team is aware of their strengths, they can support a community of teacher leaders that are making a difference!
Ryan
I am strong in Competition. I thrive in situations where I can measure my progress against the progress of others. I want to know the score and my goal is to win. This is so true! I was a very competitive athlete and even played college basketball. I want to win whether I am playing a sport or playing a game of checkers.
I am Deliberative. I put a lot of thought and care into the decisions that I make. I am known as being dependable and anticipate obstacles before they happen.
I am an Activator. I make things happen and turn thoughts into action. I have been known to step forward and to take charge. I bring a lot of enthusiasm and energy and have the ability to motivate others to join me. This is so true! I am a doer. If I think something is a good idea, I will will typically make it happen.
I am a Relator. I do enjoy the relationships I form with others. I have been known as a good counselor and others do seek out my advise. I am also very open when others ask me to share my perspective. Again, this was spot on. I do enjoy the relationships that I form and enjoy helping others.
I am in Command. I have a presence and have been in many roles where I naturally take control. Some examples would be as a basketball coach and as a youth pastor.
I believe it is very important to know your strengths and to encourage those you lead to know their strengths as well. Being aware is critical to being successful. When a staff or team is aware of their strengths, they can support a community of teacher leaders that are making a difference!
Ryan
Sunday, April 1, 2012
EDL 500 - Week #1
I am excited to be in this Teacher Leadership class to understand what it takes to be an effective leader in the school setting. I hope to learn the various characteristics that have been identified in teacher leaders nation wide and also what characteristics would make someone a poort teacher leader.
I want to learn how these teacher leaders learned and polished these characteristics so that I may also obtain these skills and characteristics. I want to learn what motivates them and how who they choose to surround themselves with. Are there any specific things they do to prepare themselves to make a difference? What kind of goals do they set and visions do they cast? I would like to know what roadblocks these teacher leaders have come up against and how they cleared these hurles. I want to know how they stay ahead of the game and on the cutting edge to best meet the needs of their students.
After researching all of that information, I believe I can have a solid idea of how to go about growing the same skills and characteristics in my own profressional career. I want to identify the characteristics, work at obtaining them, practice, and then evaluate my progress. I have a strong desire to grow in my leadership skills and I believe this class will certainly give me some ideas on how to do that.
Ryan D
I want to learn how these teacher leaders learned and polished these characteristics so that I may also obtain these skills and characteristics. I want to learn what motivates them and how who they choose to surround themselves with. Are there any specific things they do to prepare themselves to make a difference? What kind of goals do they set and visions do they cast? I would like to know what roadblocks these teacher leaders have come up against and how they cleared these hurles. I want to know how they stay ahead of the game and on the cutting edge to best meet the needs of their students.
After researching all of that information, I believe I can have a solid idea of how to go about growing the same skills and characteristics in my own profressional career. I want to identify the characteristics, work at obtaining them, practice, and then evaluate my progress. I have a strong desire to grow in my leadership skills and I believe this class will certainly give me some ideas on how to do that.
Ryan D
Friday, March 30, 2012
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