I have had many opportunities to step up as a teacher leader in my 30 year career. I have chaired departmental professional learning communities, led technology professional development activities, written curriculum for educational technology courses, and served on Instructional Leadership teams. My goal when I lead or work with a group of adults is for them to feel that their time is valued, and that they will be inspired to try something new or push themselves a little farther as educators. I believe this is important because it is what I value as a classroom teacher involved in the decision making process.
I consider myself to be a democratic leader. My leadership style comes from my belief that a leader must demonstrate a level of trust and respect toward group members that helps them to feel like equals in the decision making process, and that they do have an authentic opportunity to influence the decision of the leader. I believe democratic leadership is beneficial because it brings groups of people together to work with a common vision, and those groups can accomplish more than one person working independently because of the quality of ideas and discussion that can be shared. By communicating through shared decision making that everyone’s voice is valued, there is a greater likelihood that members of the group will fully commit to a decision once it’s made. I also aspire to a servant leadership style, focused on working as an equal member of the group to meet the needs of the team and earn their trust and respect by leading by example.
Resources:
1. "Leadership Styles - Leadership Skills From MindTools.com." 2006. 18 Feb. 2015 <http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_84.htm>
2. Green, R. L. (2013). Practicing the art of leadership: A problem-based approach to implementing the ISLLC standards. Boston: Pearson.
I consider myself to be a democratic leader. My leadership style comes from my belief that a leader must demonstrate a level of trust and respect toward group members that helps them to feel like equals in the decision making process, and that they do have an authentic opportunity to influence the decision of the leader. I believe democratic leadership is beneficial because it brings groups of people together to work with a common vision, and those groups can accomplish more than one person working independently because of the quality of ideas and discussion that can be shared. By communicating through shared decision making that everyone’s voice is valued, there is a greater likelihood that members of the group will fully commit to a decision once it’s made. I also aspire to a servant leadership style, focused on working as an equal member of the group to meet the needs of the team and earn their trust and respect by leading by example.
Resources:
1. "Leadership Styles - Leadership Skills From MindTools.com." 2006. 18 Feb. 2015 <http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_84.htm>
2. Green, R. L. (2013). Practicing the art of leadership: A problem-based approach to implementing the ISLLC standards. Boston: Pearson.