Leadership Skills Assessment
Leadership strength- I think that my strongest leadership quality is my positive attitude and outlook. I am always looking for the silver lining to every situation. I definitely approach situations with a realistic attitude. I have had my ups and downs in life, and because of that, I know that most things don't work out 100% the way you want and you will have to be prepared for plan B. I do worry a lot, but honestly I think I use that worry to make sure I do the best I can. In my classroom, I always say to students "Ok...what happened? Lets figure it out" when they make a mistake. I try not to say "wrong" or "mistake" because I feel like my students react better to positive reinforcement.
Leadership aspiration- I want to be an effective leader, obviously. I want to be approachable by students and other faculty. I want to continue my positive outlook and help my students let go of some of their negativity toward math. I also want to be a good role model, and not just in my classroom. I have a younger sister and a best friend who is like a younger sister, and I want to be an excellent role model for them. I want to be able to look up to me. I joke with them and tell them when they are in an iffy situation, ask themselves "what would Amanda do?". I also want to walk into the classroom and my self confidence and intelligence beam off of me. Essentially, I want to be respected, approachable, helpful, and honest leader for all the people in my life.
Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms and Changing Times
Secret 1- Love your employees
I love that this is the first secret! Basically, to build an effective school, you need to enable you staff by allowing them to take risks and be innovative. Also, there needs to be trust and support given to the staff. The happier the staff, the happier the school, students, and community.
Secret 2- Connect peers with purpose
Allow teachers to have a say in the decision making process. Focus on improvement by supporting the teachers.
Chapter 4: Leading with Technology-
My personal philosophy of how schools can/should use technology is: Use as much as possible! Not only from this class, but from ALL the classes I've taken in pursuit of my degree, I have learned that technology is the future. Students need to know now how to use these technologies in and out of a school setting. If they don't, they will surely be left behind in this technologically race. I know there are many issues with using certain technologies in schools, including funding, training of teachers, teachers not wanting to make changes, support, time, and certain internet cites blocked; however, I believe that it is imperative that schools and teachers continue to implement more and more technology in the classrooms. Since the summer 2015 semester, I have learned a lot of new ways to use and present technology,all of which were new to me and I enjoyed, and I wish there were more ways for me to incorporated it in my own Math classroom!! I will definitely be trying!
The Most Effective Leader
The most effective leader that I have had the pleasure of working with is Beth Thompson, Coordinator of Math Support, here at FSU. I've only known and worked with since August 2014, but I can say she is amazing. FSU is being made to change our Math curriculum, doing away with "developmental math". Instead, we are implementing "Math Support". This is a program that allows students who didn't score well enough on the ACT to take the Math class (1107 Fundamental Concepts, 1112 College Algebra, or 1101 Applied Tech Math 1) that they need for their major concurrently with an hour support lab that meets twice a week INSTEAD of several semesters of developmental math. This new program is being built from the ground up here at FSU and this Fall 2015 is the first semester in which it is fully implemented. Beth has since had to find teachers, build content for these support classes, and numerous other tasks. She is most always available, to both students and other faculty. She is very approachable and knows her stuff. I believe that she a good role model; there are almost more times than not students in working with her. Sometimes I even have to wait in line to see her! She has very good communication skills, not just one on one, but as a speaker in a conference setting. She has helped me more times than I can count and I have definitely thought to myself that I'd like to be more like her.
**To give credit where credit is due, Dennine LaRue is also a major contributor to this math program, as well as all the other math faculty. We couldn't do it without everyone. I just don't work with them as closely, but am in NO WAY trying to take away how important they are!**
Looking good at those leadership skills and I bet you're a wonderful leader. The two secrets you picked seem to be a pretty common choice, but that is probably because of how important they are to leadership. I am all for the use of social media in the classroom, but we must be weary of some of the modes of social media and their consequences. Cyber-bullying is a big thing and the ability to direct message other members of a social media group has been one of the key components to this cyber-bullying. Now I'm not saying that the social media that is chosen should not have this ability, but to monitor it heavily. I see Beth Thompson just about everyday I work and I always see her in her office helping everyone and making classes the best they can be. In fact I am thinking I have seen you in the library the past few days and if you ever want to stop by the coffee shop from 7-9 am and chat I will be there. I have also been temporarily occupying Julia's desk in HHH so that at least someone is there to help direct some of the traffic lol.
ReplyDeleteI always try and have a positive mindset and outlook too. Nobody likes to work with someone who has a negative outlook on anything. So far, I think that we have all chosen secret #1 for the best secret from the chapter. If you don't have the love and support from your peers then it makes it really hard to work with them. Students need to see that we support them and the teachers that we work with. Technology is the future for our students and ourselves. I think that it is our job as educators to help our students become successful with using and implementing different types of technology. Your coordinator sounds like a great leader and that she knows what to do to help that program be successful for FSU.
ReplyDelete"I want to be an effective leader, obviously. I want to be approachable by students and other faculty"
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way in my school and in my position. I am "team leader" for my group of 11 Related Arts Teachers. The job mainly involves sending emails to my "team" to be sure everyone stays well informed of events and adjustments to our daily schedules, which isn't difficult. I do try to be motivational and encourage my team of teachers throughout the week and year. I organize having group luncheons to celebrate birthdays or retirements. Today, I had cinnamon rolls for my team when everyone had to gather to collect student modification papers. I do what I can to assist and encourage! I feel we are very much the same in our desires to be approachable and trustworthy for students and faculty to come to us with issues. Keep up the good work!
Great post! I agree with displaying and promoting a positive attitude and outlook. "The happier the staff, the happier the school, students, and community" - so true. The teachers that I work with comment on my positive outlook and energy- they get very worried if I'm not smiling - so no matter the circumstances, I really try to display a great attitude. As a leader you are always viewed with different lenses, and since you can't always be sure who or how you are being viewed on a particular day, it's important to maintain consistency. I really enjoyed reading your summary of Chapter 4- Technology can and should be used in the classroom as much as possible!
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteI like the theme of cooperation and collaboration, which hinges on good communication..."She has very good communication skills, not just one on one, but as a speaker..." This to me also ties the idea of seeking input from stakeholders, while having clear vision implementing change. Change for some people seems like a radical upheaval of everything they know and count on in their daily life, but in essences its the necessary steps you have to take to keep up with your daily life. There are many things great leaders and great teachers do, but I would offer the greatest single asset is the ability to communicate with others. You present some very good points to ponder!