A Leader A leader is a person who guides a group with through a situation. A leader’s actions and words will determine his or her reputation as a leader. Good leaders possess similar characteristics, such as strong organizational skill, trustworthy, approachable and a visionary. A good leader has the ability to use his or her team members’ strengths to enhance a group’s productivity. Along with being able to successfully manage groups of people, a good leader must possess the ability to inspire, encourage, challenge and support the people around them. Under good leadership people will rise to challenge and surpass expectations.
Throughout my 12 years of teaching, I have encountered many leaders, some great and some with subpar abilities to lead. While I always strive to maintain a consistently high level of teaching each year, I know my teaching level and skills definitely increased under great leadership. Skills I obtained while working with great leaders has provided me with knowledge that I have been able to retain and utilize when relocating from one location of the country to another.
Good Leader
During my five years at a small California school district, I had the privilege to work for an amazing superintendent. The superintendent, Steven Ventura, had all the traits of a good leader. He was extremely approachable, knowledgeable, visible, organized and a visionary. While working for Mr. Ventura, I always felt inspired, challenged, encouraged and supported.
As a teacher-leader, I have been assigned a number of wide-ranging and important informal roles in my career thus far that have enabled me to support and contribute towards the success of not only my students, but also my department and my school as a whole. By assuming these diverse leadership roles, I have been able to develop professionally, improve student attainment, positively influence the teaching and learning practice of my peers and contribute towards the culture and ethos of the schools I have worked in.
“Leaders don 't create followers, they create more leaders,” Tom Peter famously proclaimed. As the principal of Crestview Elementary, I have always taken this quote to heart by continuous striving to empower my faculty and staff. Most recently, I have decided to train my assistant principal, Kathy Robinson, who was appointed to her position this summer after ten years as a classroom teacher. I quickly recognized that she possessed many of the qualities that make great leaders. Kathy is an excellent communicator, a great problem solver, innovative, very personable, and cares about the students and staff (Sheninger, 2011). Therefore, I have decided to mentor her and hone her skills so that she will be prepared for a transition to the role of principal.
Orr, like many others, believes that a teacher leader is someone who “impacts education beyond their own classroom”; however, she is quick to point out that she believes it is more than just the work teachers accomplish with administrators within their own schools. Orr wants the idea of teacher leaders to encompass far more than that.
By definition a leader is a person who leads or commands a group however, I believe a leader should be a person who inspires his team excel in the worst of conditions. A leader should be extraordinary reliable as the team should know that the leader could guide them to the best of his abilities toward their goal. A leader should be persistent as they should be the motivational force leading the group. A leader should be patient and calm knowing that quality takes time and that the individual member of his team have obstacles to overcome on their own part.
All of us have a natural leadership style within us. However, the way we go about displaying this natural leadership defines whether we are a good leader or not. A good leader is someone who helps teach, respect, and inspire the lives of individuals around them. Also, a good leader is someone who is not afraid to step up and take action when it is needed to be. As a result of stepping up and taking action, they are radiating the natural confidence and power that a good and strong leader should contain. In all, a good leader is someone who listens and cares about the lives of the individuals that surround them, and every action and decision they make is for the benefit of the greater good.
Throughout my years growing up, I have had numerous teachers and coaches, all of whom were excellent leaders and mentors in their own ways. However, out of all these people, the most effective leader I have come in contact with is Mrs. Lori Pierce. Most recently, she coached me in speech, but she also was my drama director and 6th grade teacher. Obviously, Mrs. Pierce has the resume of a remarkable leader because she not only fills multiple roles at Verdigre Public School, but also she serves on the Alpine Village Retirement Home Board of Directors and volunteers at the United Methodist Church and various community events. Her vast involvement, though, is not what makes her the most effective, impressive leader; indeed, it is the practicality,
Many effective leaders inspire the loyalty of their followers whether it’s something negative or positive that’s coming their way. In many businesses, hospitals, and schools, steps are being taken to find ways to solve the problem. Simply ignoring a problem leads to dissatisfaction. Sometimes it may seem like an unrealistic expectation for a superintendent to have all the solutions, but it is human nature that the followers look to the leader for
Above all else, I view leadership within the school system as essential for its success. My cumulative experiences provide a strong background that will allow me to excel as a school leader. I possess an understanding of the challenges and intricacies of a wide variety of school systems, ranging from small rural programs to inner-city and sub-urban high schools to research universities. My experience teaching at the college level gives me a unique perspective that will allow me to guide a program aimed at cultivating high school students capable of excelling in their educational endeavors. In addition, I believe that to be a truly successful leader, one must have a clear understanding of the challenges faced by educators. My years as a high school teacher have provided me a keen perspective in this regard. University of Northern Colorado’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program will be an invaluable avenue for me to learn from experienced educators as I hone my leadership abilities with the goal of using my life to lead improvements in the public education system. I look forward to the opportunity to develop as an educator,
It is so important for every individual to know the great characteristics of being a leader. Leadership today is such a dominant characteristic to have because it shows the capability of being able to lead others with an purpose. This role is used everywhere within a job field, sports, churches, homes, and pretty much anything you can name when you are taking authority from someone or something. Five characteristics of leadership that I will be discussing in this paper on how leadership enhances yourself as a person from culture to culture, how leadership enhances the qualifications of your progress in the workplace, and also how leadership helps you in college as well are: Visionary, Open-minded, Inspirational, Humbleness and Trustworthiness.
Throughout my years of experience in education, the most powerful moments are when students draw parallels of theories with practices. Therefore, having the opportunity to analyze various leadership theories, along with the information that I have learned in Dr. McGhee’s “Leadership Theory and Practice” class, has led to a memorable and invaluable experience. Moreover, I found the leadership analysis report from the interview with the exemplary leader significantly thrilling because it allowed me to apply all knowledge I gathered during this course and make real world connections. I considered Mrs. Magana as the person for my interview because she has made a great impact as a leader here in Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD). Mrs. Magana’s greatest assets are the colleagues that she leads. As a leader she would be the first to say that without a dedicated and committed team who enthusiastically choose to follow, the team can accomplish little. She also says that the best investment is the time spent with her team members, learning about each team member 's wants, needs, values, and priorities. She uses this information to help each individual grow and prioritize his or her talents, in order to provide each individual, the opportunity to excel and advance. Knowing this about Ms. Magana inspired me to continue to learn about her leadership style even further. She has served in education for 33 years. Eleven years as a teacher, nine
I was born into a family surrounded by educators. My father started his teaching career as an elementary physical education teacher and now, today, after working his way up the totem pole, is a Curriculum Director. As for my mother, she has taught many different age groups as an elementary teacher. My eldest sister also pursued a career in middle school and elementary education. Having been raised by teachers I have found that leadership is a quality they must posses. Being around natural leaders all my life I have discovered that selflessness, humility and equality are what they have built their leadership from.
In the world we live in there are many people that are perceived to be a leader,but do not meet the criteria and standards a leader has. A leader by definition is the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. There are many characteristics that portray a leader such as inspiring people, integrity, confidence, accountability, communication, attitude, and a great amount of others. One day I would like to teacher high school social sciences which include psychology, world and U.S history, economics, sociology, and archeology. Once thinking deeply into the subject I see that a leader and a teacher share many qualities.
What I have learned from going to school, especially while working, is that good leaders are hard to come by. Leman says it best as to why more people don’t shepherd their people, “Great leadership comes at a price that too few are willing to pay” (p. 111). I have been working since I was 15 and to be honest, I have only had one exceptional leader who has made an impact on my life and that is because she knows, practiced and displayed the value and principles in The Way of the Shepherd. The knowledge that I have gained from her guidance in partnership with school and Dr. Meade will be with me for a lifetime and I plan to use all of these principles and teaching as I move forward in my career and in
Over the years, I have worn many educator hats such as a Director of Resource, classroom teacher, Head Start teacher, special’s teacher, and as a teacher’s aide. My leadership experiences have not been ones in an administrative role, but I have had leadership experiences both informal and formal in nature. My years as a professional educator with a Virginia Collegiate Professional license has allowed me to teach in public settings as well as Catholic schools, at many different grade levels and for me, all of those experiences have influenced my leadership skills.
Those who learn to be instructional leaders acquire many characteristics that are beneficial to their schools and communities. The writer concurs that Instructional leaders exhibit a clear sense of direction for their schools and prioritize and focus attention on the things that really