My Leadership Philosophy In Education

My educational leadership philosophy is founded on respect. Respect must be given and received mutually. From teacher to students, to custodial staff, each person has their own story, fights, successes, and talents. Working together as a team to promote self and community advantages will enhance not only the school, but in turn will affect the world.

Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders. This quote by Tom Peters best summarizes my philosophy of teacher leadership. As a teacher leader, it is up to me to inspire, direct, and encourage others so that stronger teacher, administrative, and student leaders may be born from the process. Teacher leadership involves collaboration between teachers, administrators, and teacher leaders with the goal of positively impacting the student learning environment. With student learning as the ultimate objective, teacher leadership “becomes an indispensable avenue for school improvement” (Coggins & McGovern, 2014, p. 21). So how do I as a teacher leader begin this process? I believe that teacher leadership can be achieved through three means: modeling, mentoring, and collaborating.

Currently, I am not an employee of any learning organization, school district or educational system. However, I am involved and Chair the School Advisory Council (SAC) of Greenland Pines Elementary. This opportunity granted me a unique opportunity to observe the management of two different principals with their individual leadership styles. Furthermore, I contrasted my business practices from my own company and military service to coincide with this case study. The purpose of this paper is a comprehensive written outlining the processes presented by the educational leadership at Greenland Pines Elementary. With this in mind, we need to understand the concept of educational leadership.

My philosophy of education is correlated to my vision of education and my role as an instructional leader. Excellent administrators possess personal characteristics of exemplary leadership talent in analysis of data, organizational constructs, leadership decisiveness, oral and written communication, technological confidence, personal motivation and educational integrity within school systems. Educational leadership is a vital position in which I persistently evaluate every decision I make on behalf of students; what is the educational value? Will all students benefit? Is it fiscally responsible? How do we sustain success? In order for students to be competitive locally, nationally and internationally, I am committed to providing effective,

During my time at Excellence Boys Charter School of Bedford Stuyvesant , I have seen how the right balance of joy and rigor combined with love and high expectations can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life. I have the rare opportunity each day to invalidate a popular narrative written for boys of color. Boys of color can learn and achieve. They can participate in engaging and rigorous discourse. We are smart and intelligent. This is the daily reality of my classroom. A reality I’ve created through hard work and practice. A reality I’ve built with lessons from my own mistakes and shortcomings. A reality that is _______. A reality that I’m ready to take from my classroom and expand across a

There are several characteristics a person in a leadership role should portray. My philosophy of leadership encompasses characteristics such as compassion, collaboration, innovation, perseverance, and competence. I believe to be a competent leader one must be authentic to one’s self and beliefs. One must know where he or she stands concerning ethics and innovations surrounding the education field. A leader must convey understanding, be on the forefront of research, advocate for colleagues and students, and collaborate with other professionals.

There are various styles that create a strong leader. However, I believe that the best ideal way to lead, is by showing love. You can be motivational and you can be diligent, nevertheless if it accomplished without love it is done in vain.

In my opinion, one of the best leaders in my community is my youth group pastor. He is flexible, polite, a great role model, and always ready to help those in need. Moreover he is the picture perfect image of what he wants others to become, and is willing to help anyone reach that point with grace and compassion.

There have been many things in my life that have molded me into the leader I am today. Various people and groups along the way have taught me so much about what it means to be a leader. There were so many things that impacted my life and leadership.

A good leader leads from the middle and not the front. Leadership is working with people in order to complete a task, instead of telling others what to do. Delegating and helping others realize their potential and work to their strengths is what leadership is all about. Leadership is the ability to listen to others and show them the right path. I strive to be a leader in all I do. As a pharmacist, I will be the leader in the community and be able to help patients with their medical needs. While I have had times in my academic classes that I am able to step up and be the leader, I often use my leadership skills most in extracurricular activities. I have served as President of my cooperative house, where I learned so much from the constant leadership.

In light of accountability requirements, fear of not meeting AYP (Annual Yearly Progress), and required school improvement plans, often the idea of “school improvement” is considered a negative attribute. Obviously schools do not want to be singled out or identified as in need of improvement. Teachers often take the same view towards the idea of improvement. We as teachers take very personal that concept of improvement; we often parallel the need for improvement to failure. However my belief is that effective schools are always in a school improvement process and effective teachers too also are constantly adapting their practice in a culture of continuous improvement and growth. Therefore it is important as an effective leader to build a community of trust and collaboration. I quote “We are all in this together. Once we know that we are, we’re all stars and we see that we’re all in this together.” (Disney High School Musical, 2006) These lyrics from a popular Disney movie put to light exactly the school culture where the goal is not personal but as a community to use data driven and research based approaches in reflection and growth that assist all stakeholders.

The “Open Door Policy” is a case study to assist those interested in growing as educational leaders. Consistency in leadership is critical to the progress and growth of schools and educational institutions. Creek Middle School had six principals in seven years and each leader possessed a different leadership style. Some involved all stakeholders in making decisions and others worked in isolation. Consistency, collaboration, and communication are key components that drive the culture and climate of successful schools.

Through learning about principal leadership theories in this course, I am working towards developing my own leadership philosophy.

Educational leaders who have a strong integrity and innovated disposition may use these ideas and values to create an environment where the school operates to not only serve the students, but the community as well. Educational leaders should not be afraid to use these ideas and values to promote the success of their students; however, educational leaders need to be able to defend why certain ideas and values may not work within their school. If educational leaders are honest with their faculty, staff, and local community, then an educational leader’s choices should never be judged, but accepted because of the lack of impact these values and ideas may have on the

Students are at the center of my educational universe. Decisions and policies must focus on doing what is best for student achievement in a school. Their successes and failures defines and evaluates the school and the administration. My vision for leading a school is predicated on promoting their successes and reducing their failures. Developing a school with a strong culture of achievement, instruction, and security for all stakeholders involved that helps build an environment where students can prosper in their education. These ideas and beliefs drive my choices and vision at the school, but also helps set the expectations for every community member that calls the school their own.