Module 3: Leaders are Learners Too

This module asks for my thoughts on leadership. I'll start with WVPTS and ISTE because Standard #1 in both of these is the one that speaks the most to me: It may seem an odd choice to begin with because both standards deal with curriculum design and planning, but this is where leadership and pioneering new technology and learning strategies can and are modeled. My philosophy can be best explain using a standard 12 inch rule as a visual representation... to me the ruler looks like this...

 This is Not to imply that content knowledge is not important it is vitally important, but rather the idea that content knowledge is useless without the other two components. Leaders find ways to create learning opportunities that focus on student achievement by integrating technology and engaging lessons to me this speaks more to the qualities of leadership. The ISTE standard 3 speaks to modeling and I would agree that this was a very close second to the creativity and inspiration talked about in ISTE standard 1... because to me the ideas of inspiring students through well thought out and creative lessons and activities seek to engage the student beyond learning or mimicking to thinking and rethinking, even innovating something new. Piaget said, “The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done....” which speaks to the shift from learning how to learn... to learning how to think. The Five Core Principles were a little harder to find the leadership ideology that suits my way of thinking, in fact I am always a little disappointed whenever I read these core principles because the principles are what every teacher should be doing. Number 5 says, "teachers are members of learning communities" doesn't really speak to leadership unless you add... teachers are always helping teachers be better teachers... teachers are always learning from other teachers... teachers can learn from students... If that's what they mean then yes #5 speaks to me about leadership.

Pathways (Ironic maybe... However, I teach in the Option Pathway Program) and there are many (see the previous use of the TEAM acronym) for teachers to choose when thoughts of leadership come to mind. The traditional role of school administrator is probably the one most talked about, yet many of those were leader teachers before they became the leader of the school... team leader, department chair, class sponsor, club sponsor...etc. Some teachers are even cultivated by current leaders to become a future leader or dare I say... replacement. This lay the foundation to answer the question: What does my leadership development program entail... if its generic or one size fits all (like what the system currently models) then it is by pure luck (the leader was already in the person) to produce good leaders. I think the leadership development must target the position: example Principal... elementary, middle, or secondary? rural, suburban, or urban? cultural diversity demographics, ethnicity, ESL? private or public? affluent or low SES?  The answers to these questions would drive the types of experiences and curriculum for future administrators. I would offer a book study as the first assignment to assess potential candidates; Please Read, Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner "Teaching as a Subversive Activity"  (complete pdf) lively debate should ensue. Of course, other positions would fall under a similar type of candidate selection... should the department chairperson simply be the teacher with the most seniority? highest degree? most popular? It should be the person determined to help all students achieve. 

My technology needs exist around something I have very little control over... internet reliability. I'm very fortunate in my position, we have 1 to 1 26" desktops, 1 to 1 iPads, Elmo document camera, 2-Elmo remote projection tablets, USB microscope eye piece, Mac Airbook, HP laptop,  Elmo projector w/ dvd player, 2 - 65" TVs, 1 - 32" TV, external speakers, Xbox 360, Wii, and dvd/vhs player. I am trying to access more online tools and resources.

Many innovative administrators are utilizing social media sites and tools as a way to engage the changing community, with virtual classrooms and telecommuting meetings can be more accessible. Because many social media websites are offered free there seems to be few reasons not to be using them to engage the community, it also offers a way for the school system to model positive uses of the social media networks.

While the program I work in is housed at the Harrison County ALC (Alternative Learning Center) it is not technically part of the ALC, but we still participate in the school's mission and initiatives. The ALC has a link on the HARCOBOE website: ALC, which provides information about the staff and programs offered as well as Parent resources located in school. The school also uses "LiveGrades" as a tool to communicate with students and parents.