Journal Entry #3 and #4

#3
Chapter 2 "The Nature of Leadership" was Doug's presentation. Made me really think about my own leadership qualities.

A leader has attributes of thinking long term.
External influences.
Patton?
Jones (don't drink the Kool-aid)?
How will leaders be looked at later? Responsible? Dictator?
 How much control are you willing to give up?
What is your role once that's over?

One person can't do it all. Develop leadership teams.

Just because you are a leader, does that make you a good one? Do followers make you great?
Hitler was a leader, but that does not make it right. How do you know if you are a good leader?
Hitler thought he was helping the world.

Who is an inspirational leader?
How do you become one?

Eat the big frog first -Tackle the more difficult task, so the smaller ones seem much easier.



#4

Traits - What kind of leader am I???????

Today’s best principals, Hensley says, “know what good and effective instruction looks like so they can provide feedback to guide teachers.”  “Leadership was the second most important school-based factor in children’s academic achievement”.

1. Shaping a vision of academic success for all students, one based on high standards;

2. Creating a climate hospitable to education in order that safety, a cooperative spirit, and other foundations of fruitful interaction prevail;

3. Cultivating leadership in others so that teachers and other adults assume their part in realizing the school vision;

4. Improving instruction to enable teachers to teach at their best and students to learn at their utmost; and

5. Managing people, data and processes to foster school improvement.

The traits that I would like to implement into my school as principal would be #2, and #3. These traits best describe me and my personality.

Shaping my instructional Leadership

If I had to pick only one it would be #2. “Creating a climate hospitable to education in order that safety, a cooperative spirit, and other foundations of fruitful interaction prevail;”

“ Principals ensure that teachers do not work in isolation from one another, but work collaboratively, giving each other help and guidance to improve instructional practices” (Louis et al., 2010, p. 50).

Having teachers working together, communicating about their strengths and weaknesses will hopefully engage an environment of exceptional learning. A feeling of safety and knowing procedure, having structure makes me feel safe and less stress. I know this is not true of everyone, but this is how I function the best, and how I can be a successful leader. I would do my best to engage all departments to the best of my ability, and recognize areas that need strengthening.