I teach in a rural area that qualifies for Title I funding, so you can imagine that I serve where I am needed. I have taught all grades 4th – 8th (content specific and self-contained), served as grade chairman, Teacher Advancement Program mentor (TAP), intervention teacher (math), UIL coach, and even cheer sponsor. While I have served as a “classroom” teacher for the past twenty years, my lessons go well beyond my classroom. Through the Texas public education system, I have had to interact with parents on a daily basis, and most days that involves educating the parent as to what is happening in their child’s classroom. But, it is not just the student-parent-teacher relationship that needs fostering; as educators we must continue to educate our own whether they are a first year teacher or a veteran.
Through the years I have been given several opportunities to advance into administration, but I have realized my passion lies in the classroom developing students and teachers through servant leadership. I believe my realization happened when serving as a Mentor Teacher through TAP. Being part of TAP, I realized that I have much to offer other teachers, and I can serve peers without forfeiting service to my students. This was quite a welcomed relief because servant leadership is what I love, and I just happen to do that through education. Serving as a Mentor Teacher, I welcomed the responsibility of ensuring our teachers were well educated on district and state expectations, as
Currently, I am teaching at my high school alma mater and my vision is to lead my school district as an administrator. Many youth of today are choosing teaching as a career and need leadership to guide them in their journey of education. I can serve my school and community by displaying leadership qualities of a positive attitude, a willingness to develop morale of staff and guide learning experiences of naiveté and experienced teachers
The opportunities given to me to work with beginning teachers have been rewarding. Building stronger learning communities will always be a passion of mine because it ultimately enables our students to be better served in the classroom which leads to higher student achievement.
I found this job very rewarding, and my excitement for teaching grew. After that, I volunteered to work as a teacher’s assistant for Mrs. Fast, the fifth grade teacher at my school. The experience I had in Mrs. Fast’s classroom had a big impact on me. Mrs. Fast was able to connect to her students, and gave the students every opportunity to succeed. As I worked in her classroom, I began to see what a teacher truly does: and that is to, not only teach, but to also instill a desire to learn in
Taking on the role as a teacher puts me in a leadership role. I chose for my artifact the ESO online training from Mr. Moss, EDEE 4330 Math class. Math seems to be the subject across the board most people is afraid of, but the ESO training provided fatal information for student’s success. I understand that I am responsible for setting an example for my students that I would be proud of them to emulate. I would love for my students to follow in my footprints and make a difference in others’ lives. It has been said, “it takes a village to raise a child”, and I know that I can be most effective when I reach out to families, colleagues, and the community, to employ the approach. It takes all that to raise well-adjusted productive members of our community, being it locally or
I have conducted interviews with mentors and counselor, as well as two Oregon State University professors, one with a focus on education and one with a focus on education administration, to discuss the process I needed to go to become an educator in Oregon. In order to reach my goal of becoming an educator it requires nothing more than an undergraduate degree and a teacher licensure in the state. To make sure that I was on the right track, I enlisted the help of Troops to Teachers, a U.S. Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed. The troops to teachers programs assist veterans in using their skills such as adaptability, leadership, behavioral management, communication, and a global perspective enabling them to make a difference in young people’s lives. All those skills, coupled with their initiative, discipline and integrity, they are able to bring subjects to life, helping students realize their potential and ultimately positively affecting the local community. In their report, school administrators have found that veterans interact effectively with parents, community members and other teachers and staff. Additionally, there
The primary reason that I desire to become an educational leader is because I want to make a positive impact on the lives of students and teachers. I feel that it is very easy to lose sight of the goal of education, to provide students with the skills they need to be successful in their lives. This goal often becomes overshadowed with all of the other demands that are placed on teachers, students, and administrators. I want to be innovative in finding ways to work smarter instead of harder to relieve some of the stresses that are felt by the school’s students, teachers, and other faculty
Greetings to you all! I am Erika Kennedy. I currently live in Georgia where I am a first grade teacher. I have been teaching for 15 years and I don't consider it a job, but my purpose in life. I enjoy what I do and count it as a privilege to be able to make a difference in the lives of students and families where I am invested. Honestly, as I considered my next steps in my career, somehow I always knew that I was destined to do more than just that of a classroom setting. Others often encouraged me to step up more in the area of leadership, however, I sat back waiting for my turn to take the lead. Soon I realized that I didn't have to wait on others to push me into the position that I desired, but that I can set my own career path. Staying
Servant leadership is key- Educational leaders must have the interests of the children as their main concern. Hall’s use of fear to achieve results created a bigger problem within the school district rather than solving it. Listening to teachers’ difficulties and working directly with those inside individual schools will help leaders identify and solve problems, as Errol and Castarphen have done and will continue doing.
1 I seek to join Teach for America, because I seek to continue to serve others in my community and my nation. I want to give others the opportunities that I have been afforded and inspire those who feel hopeless. Throughout my career, I have seen what transformational and servant leaders can accomplish in government and the private sectors. Why can't we have that in our classrooms? It's the place where we are investing into future communities.
I credit my current responsible and compassionate nature to my experience as a teacher’s assistant. With a position as impressionable as this, being a mentor to the students taught me how to be a leader. Being able to
In 2013, I moved from journalism to nonprofit administration because I wanted to be more directly involved in influencing social issues. At the NYC Leadership Academy (NYCLA), I helped oversee the school principal coaching program by managing paperwork, communicating with coaches and participants, scheduling events, and designing and
The West Fargo Public School system is not only the fastest growing school district in the State of North Dakota, it is also one of the most innovative and creative. The district’s Mission is “Educating today’s learners for tomorrow’s world”. Teachers employed by the district take this Mission statement to heart and live it in their own lives. To them, education is a lifelong process, not just something everyone experiences between the ages of 5-17. Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that this past summer 20 elementary and secondary teachers began a 20 month educational journey by enrolling in West Fargo’s second Teacher Leadership Academy (TLA). The Academy is a collaborative effort between West Fargo Public Schools and North Dakota State University’s Educational Leadership Program. The 20 teachers began their journey this summer and will be meeting during the school year every-other Wednesday after school. At the end of five semesters they will be awarded the Masters of Education (M. Ed.) degree. Some of the unique features of the Teacher Leadership Academy are: a) rather than traveling to campus for their coursework, Academy students are taught at the district’s Leidal Education Center, b) classes are facilitated by not only university professors, but the district’s two assistant superintendents [Dr. Allen Burgad and Mrs. Beth Slette], and c) course assignments are focused around the district’s initiatives and strategic plan.
My decision to be a teacher did not come easily to me. This choice was dependent on a reflection about what I was passionate about and how I could make a difference. I have chosen to become a teacher, as I believe teachers have the ability to provide future generations the stimulation for one of the most significant roles in life; to become a lifelong learner. Many teachers that I have had during my education have had a positive impact on my decision to grow and develop the skills that are fundamental to pursue a successful teaching career. My aim is to be a part of an honorable profession with the optimism that one day I will become an efficacious teacher who can provide future teachers with inspiration, as my teachers have provided for me. Through personal educational experiences and peer-reviewed academic literature, I am able to shape my approach to my pre-service teaching, as it will influence my future practice. As a teacher, there is not just one singular approach to educating students; there is a need for flexibility, diversity, adaptation and reflection.
I am attending Concord College to further my education. After graduating with an Elementary Education Degree, I would like to teach in an elementary school in Southern West Virginia. Preferably, I would like to teach in a kindergarten environment. While teaching I plan to further my career with a Master’s degree. I would like to be able to reach those children that aren’t as fortunate as others. As a teacher I will not only teach the children, but they in turn, will teach me. Education is one of the most important aspects to the success of the country. It is important for everyone to feel a part of that success; therefore, I feel strongly about teaching students to succeed.
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.