Its easy to think of leadership as just a single faceted idea... the person or position of leading and if I thought I could even remotely get by with that I would simply let that stand and walk away. Yet there is so much to unravel when you think about leadership. Thoughts of how you view yourself as a leader (or not) as compared to present and past leaders that have impacted you both directly and indirectly. You begin to contemplate qualities like honorable, compassionate, strong, intelligent, charismatic, articulate, visionary... the list then quickly turns to comparisons of great leaders and qualities they exhibited, but all this does little to actually answer the question. Because the question adds the adjective "teacher," which might offer two ways to go 1. a teacher of future leaders or 2. a teacher that leads other teachers and students (but is Not an administrator of the school building) either way both are accurate. When I think of teacher leadership, I think that means being courageous enough to challenge yourself and go beyond where your comfort zone ends because in those challenges you are modeling what every teacher should be trying to do (striving to become a better teacher). Leading others (teachers and students) to find the greatness that lies with each of them and the excitement that new discoveries and learning bring. Courageous enough to fail because there can be and is great learning in that as well... failing helps us (if we cast pride aside and really look) acknowledge a way that doesn't work so we can begin the business to finding the ways that do. This leads me to think that teacher leaders are the catalyst for change by forging ahead with integrating new strategies, new technologies, and new ideas about learning in order to promote student achievement and becoming better educators.
Because technology can be so formidable and often have hidden obstacles it can seem daunting and out of reach, yet for those teachers that lead by example they have the power to demystify technology and integrate it into classroom activities and instruction. Teachers that lead know that technology can fail (but so can the best tried and true lesson plan), but know that the potential reward when it works the way you have planned it can be the key that unlocks multiple doors for that one student or classrooms of students. Technology is like that conversation Plato and Socrates had about innate knowledge and somebody just needing to be asked the right questions... many times it's technology that helps to ask the right questions and teachers that are leaders... will pioneer into those areas with confidence that the right questions will be asked and student (teachers) achievement will soar.
I'm adding a link to an article that helps me think about why I got into education and may help to further answer these questions about leadership... What Do You Want to Be to the Field of Education
Which leads off into an administrators position, but the questions and comments are relevant to these questions about teacher leaders as well. I'll try to answer the Chapter 1 &2 questions in a separate post. I welcome any and all thoughts and or comments. Please Keep in mind that I'm Not a "Digital Native," but I love trying to figure out how to better integrate different technologies in my classes.
As I was continuing the reading through the first chapters and cigesting the material I came across an interesting piece to share with you all prior to finishing my Module 1 post. The post came from EDWeek which I have subscribed to since 2010 and have received and read numerous (2100 +) stories and invitation to webinars... many of which I have shared and used as a valuable resource. here is the link to ... Tips of Integrating Technology New Technology : http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/the_startup_blog/2015/09/back_to_school_tips_for_implementing_new_technology.html?cmp=eml-enl-eu-news2
ReplyDeleteI found it to be worth the read... because many of the salient points might be some of the issues you have or are dealing with in your school.
Well Rafe, like always your posts are very thoughtful and hit the major points. You always cut to the core of everything and explain it well. Your analysis of leadership in teachers hit the mark and can connect to all great leaders through time. Leadership has been an exalted trait through time and remains that way in our current society because leaders are the people who keep innovating our world. To not honor someone who pushes our society forward as a leader is almost disrespectful to them. As you said, leaders take advantages of current technologies and embrace them to give us the edge we need. Great post.
ReplyDeleteRafe,
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen the infographic “Iceberg Illusion”, and thank you so much for sharing in your post! I really enjoyed reading your analysis of leadership. I may need to quote you during a Professional Learning session at my school, “When I think of teacher leadership, I think that means being courageous enough to challenge yourself and go beyond where your comfort zone ends because in those challenges you are modeling what every teacher should be trying to do (striving to become a better teacher). Leading others (teachers and students) to find the greatness that lies with each of them and the excitement that new discoveries and learning bring. Courageous enough to fail because there can be and is great learning in that as well... failing helps us (if we cast pride aside and really look) acknowledge a way that doesn't work so we can begin the business to finding the ways that do”. – So much power in these words, Rafe! I recently read this article, and thought you might appreciate this information: http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el201504_takeaways.pdf
Mary Jo, feel free to quote me as much or as little as you like. I can get a bit rambly about topics I have a passion for and coming to teaching a wee bit later than most, it's fair to say I didn't come for the money. I love working with students and trying to help guide them toward finding their passion because I have always believed that its just as important to figure out what you don't want to do as it is what you do. I was forunate to find my love of dirt and diesel smoke early on in life and as it turned out I was pretty good at operating heavy machinery (still am and do it every chance I get). I have always loved learning new things and teaching is the best way to learn there is... and it turns out I really like teaching... of all the jobs and certifications I have (and the list is long) teaching is the most rewarding job I have ever had... I love it!!! And plan to do it for a very long time!
DeleteVery inspirational! I'm so glad you plan to share your knowledge and influence your students for many years to come.
DeleteRafe,
ReplyDeleteYou have such a great insight on leadership and I really like your definition. I think that teachers who want to be leaders in technology sometimes must step out of their comfort zone just be learn different ways of using it. Technology is changing everyday and for us to stay on top of it, we must be open to learning new things. We must set aside time to go through new processes or ask others for help if they are more familiar with something. Students are always using technology so sometimes we may need them to show us something or give us advice on the best way to use different sources. Great post!