My Leadership Philosophy
Personal Mission Statement
I want to always be moving forward in my relationships and career. As a leader I want to make a difference in the world for all who are in my life. I want to be a life-long learner and I want to share what I have learned with others. I hope to be seen as someone who cared for the needs and wants of others and not for worldly success.
Core Values
I wake up each day wanting to help my fellow educators to be the best they can be and by doing so, make a positive effect on students. I believe in being a life-long learner and want to model that quality to both my students and staff. I want to help encourage each to also to be risk takers who are determined and preserver through hard situations. Through the process of taking risks, we learn to set high expectations and become focused on what is important. To take risks people need to feel cared for, safe and valued. I pledge to help create an environment which is caring and supportive and promotes putting the needs of others before yourself.
My Thoughts on the Administrative Core Standards
A Vision for a Learning Community
A school leader such as a principal must have a vision for leading their school. A good leader has thought through and developed a plan for their building. The plan will be a way to move the school forward towards excellence. To be able to implement a vision a leader must have the ability to communicate the vision clearly and help others see the importance of the vision. Gaining the support of others in the change process is essential. A leader must also be willing to fight the good fight for the long hall and help keep the stakeholders motivated to do so as well. When a vision is put forth and it reflects the values of the stakeholders, the change the vision brings forth will be successful.
Instructional Leadership
Implementing effective instructional leadership takes advanced planning. There needs to be a focus on high quality professional development which can be differentiated for the needs of the staff. I myself am a life-long learner and I will be an advocate for my staff to do the same. In my experience great educators crave quality instructional leadership and want to develop their own skills through collaboration and professional development continuously. Providing opportunities for staff members to observe other staff members within the building is a great initial step. Utilizing the talent a school has from within helps develop collaboration, trust, and risk taking. Also an instructional leader needs to be always looking into the future. Utilizing technology and having staff and students implementing technology daily is essential in developing 21st Century skills need to be successful. As the building leader I will strive to be an example for implementing technology. Being able to model different technology applications in staff meetings and professional developments helps to build a knowledge base for staff. A instructional leader sees their staff as a unified body and want to help each part of the body to function to its highest potential and in return build a more effective and successful unit.
Managerial Leadership
Being a leader who can manage the hectic “life” of a school is essential for a building’s success. The first quality of an excellent managerial leaders is making sure they have the right personnel on your team doing the right job for their skill set. Helping each staff member to work within their wheel house helps create a positive climate within the school. It also allows people to have a greater probability of being effective when they are utilizing their strengths. Second I believe that a great leader thinks ahead. Being proactive and not reactive to as many situations as possible helps create stability within the school and keeps the daily operations running smoothly. The third skill which is essential for managing a school is being a great communicator. Concise and relevant communication on a routine bases is something I strongly believe helps any corporation function more efficiently. If the communication is sporadic and or incomplete, the system will eventually fall apart. A leader is the glue which holds the unit together.
School Community Collaboration
School, parent, and community collaboration is essential for any school and or district to be successful. I have had the opportunity to work in school districts which were polar opposites in this area. I know that to make any school successful creating a trusting relationship between parents, community and local businesses is essential. These people can be your biggest ally or your largest enemy. The key is building a relationship that is genuine and has mutual respect. Stakeholders should be an active part of the school community and the decision making process. By having input for the stakeholders a school is able to see all sides of the coin and make for informed decisions. I believe as the school leader I need to be present in the community and make sure we are seen as an asset. I also know that my staff needs to be an active part in working with the parents and community. My goal is to have my staff have as much positive interaction outside the classroom with stakeholders as possible. By building a strong relationship with the community we will be helping to build stronger students.
Integrity, Fairness, and Ethics
One of the most important aspect of leadership is morality. A lack of moral and ethical values can make or break the leader’s ability to truly lead. Can a leader who lacks integrity really lead a staff? Having integrity makes other more willing to follow. When a staff trusts and believes in the ethics of their leader, most will follow them to the ends of the earth. Being the moral and ethical model for your staff is a requirement of being a great leader. People need to believe in your ability to lead them down the correct moral and ethical path. When people start questioning a leaders values, a fracture is created in the relationship which is extremely hard to repair. A school leader is someone with a strong work ethic who inspires those around them to do the same. The leader is also fair and constistant with all they serve including staff, students, parents and community. As an ethical leader, one must constantly evaluate their motives and work to make sure what they say also matches their behavior. By being an ethical and moral example the leader is creating a positive more effective working and learning environment.
The Political and Cultural Context
We live in a culture which is ever changing. As a principal I need to embrace the idea of change and make it my goal to be an agent of positive change within my school, districts, and community. Leaders need to keep up with the politics of education locally, regionally, and nationally. As a principal I will be making decisions which are seen as political choices and I need to make sure that my decisions are based on upholding board policy while doing what is best for my students. I need to be able to persuade my staff and community as a leader. As an agent of change I need to be willing to stand up and fight for policy changes and be willing to participate in the making of new policies. Life is a series of compromises and as a leader I need to make sure those compromises are going to be what is best for my staff, students and school as a whole.
I want to always be moving forward in my relationships and career. As a leader I want to make a difference in the world for all who are in my life. I want to be a life-long learner and I want to share what I have learned with others. I hope to be seen as someone who cared for the needs and wants of others and not for worldly success.
Core Values
- Be someone who is determined and preservers. I want to encourage those around me to keep trying. Failure is the first step to success and a character builder. Without failure the win is not as meaningful.
- Be a risk taker. Try new things and think outside of the box.Innovation is never done in a safe padded environment.
- Be an active and life-long learner. Everyone should be a learner first. Being “stale” in your life is a reflection of a lack moving your mind forward.
- Be someone of integrity. Without your “word” you have nothing. Be someone who lives the walk, and not just talks the talk.Be a person who is trustworthy and dependable.
- Be someone who strives for more. Setting high expectations is an essential quality of becoming your best self.We are not here to meet our potential, but our mission is exceed our potential.
- Be focused on what is important. “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Be someone who can see the beauty of the forest and not just the trees.Prioritize and make your goal to keep what is best for the group in the forefront of your mind.
- Be kinder than necessary. Everyone is dealing with something which could be big or small.We should be kind to all and try to not put a judgement on others without all of the facts.
I wake up each day wanting to help my fellow educators to be the best they can be and by doing so, make a positive effect on students. I believe in being a life-long learner and want to model that quality to both my students and staff. I want to help encourage each to also to be risk takers who are determined and preserver through hard situations. Through the process of taking risks, we learn to set high expectations and become focused on what is important. To take risks people need to feel cared for, safe and valued. I pledge to help create an environment which is caring and supportive and promotes putting the needs of others before yourself.
My Thoughts on the Administrative Core Standards
A Vision for a Learning Community
A school leader such as a principal must have a vision for leading their school. A good leader has thought through and developed a plan for their building. The plan will be a way to move the school forward towards excellence. To be able to implement a vision a leader must have the ability to communicate the vision clearly and help others see the importance of the vision. Gaining the support of others in the change process is essential. A leader must also be willing to fight the good fight for the long hall and help keep the stakeholders motivated to do so as well. When a vision is put forth and it reflects the values of the stakeholders, the change the vision brings forth will be successful.
Instructional Leadership
Implementing effective instructional leadership takes advanced planning. There needs to be a focus on high quality professional development which can be differentiated for the needs of the staff. I myself am a life-long learner and I will be an advocate for my staff to do the same. In my experience great educators crave quality instructional leadership and want to develop their own skills through collaboration and professional development continuously. Providing opportunities for staff members to observe other staff members within the building is a great initial step. Utilizing the talent a school has from within helps develop collaboration, trust, and risk taking. Also an instructional leader needs to be always looking into the future. Utilizing technology and having staff and students implementing technology daily is essential in developing 21st Century skills need to be successful. As the building leader I will strive to be an example for implementing technology. Being able to model different technology applications in staff meetings and professional developments helps to build a knowledge base for staff. A instructional leader sees their staff as a unified body and want to help each part of the body to function to its highest potential and in return build a more effective and successful unit.
Managerial Leadership
Being a leader who can manage the hectic “life” of a school is essential for a building’s success. The first quality of an excellent managerial leaders is making sure they have the right personnel on your team doing the right job for their skill set. Helping each staff member to work within their wheel house helps create a positive climate within the school. It also allows people to have a greater probability of being effective when they are utilizing their strengths. Second I believe that a great leader thinks ahead. Being proactive and not reactive to as many situations as possible helps create stability within the school and keeps the daily operations running smoothly. The third skill which is essential for managing a school is being a great communicator. Concise and relevant communication on a routine bases is something I strongly believe helps any corporation function more efficiently. If the communication is sporadic and or incomplete, the system will eventually fall apart. A leader is the glue which holds the unit together.
School Community Collaboration
School, parent, and community collaboration is essential for any school and or district to be successful. I have had the opportunity to work in school districts which were polar opposites in this area. I know that to make any school successful creating a trusting relationship between parents, community and local businesses is essential. These people can be your biggest ally or your largest enemy. The key is building a relationship that is genuine and has mutual respect. Stakeholders should be an active part of the school community and the decision making process. By having input for the stakeholders a school is able to see all sides of the coin and make for informed decisions. I believe as the school leader I need to be present in the community and make sure we are seen as an asset. I also know that my staff needs to be an active part in working with the parents and community. My goal is to have my staff have as much positive interaction outside the classroom with stakeholders as possible. By building a strong relationship with the community we will be helping to build stronger students.
Integrity, Fairness, and Ethics
One of the most important aspect of leadership is morality. A lack of moral and ethical values can make or break the leader’s ability to truly lead. Can a leader who lacks integrity really lead a staff? Having integrity makes other more willing to follow. When a staff trusts and believes in the ethics of their leader, most will follow them to the ends of the earth. Being the moral and ethical model for your staff is a requirement of being a great leader. People need to believe in your ability to lead them down the correct moral and ethical path. When people start questioning a leaders values, a fracture is created in the relationship which is extremely hard to repair. A school leader is someone with a strong work ethic who inspires those around them to do the same. The leader is also fair and constistant with all they serve including staff, students, parents and community. As an ethical leader, one must constantly evaluate their motives and work to make sure what they say also matches their behavior. By being an ethical and moral example the leader is creating a positive more effective working and learning environment.
The Political and Cultural Context
We live in a culture which is ever changing. As a principal I need to embrace the idea of change and make it my goal to be an agent of positive change within my school, districts, and community. Leaders need to keep up with the politics of education locally, regionally, and nationally. As a principal I will be making decisions which are seen as political choices and I need to make sure that my decisions are based on upholding board policy while doing what is best for my students. I need to be able to persuade my staff and community as a leader. As an agent of change I need to be willing to stand up and fight for policy changes and be willing to participate in the making of new policies. Life is a series of compromises and as a leader I need to make sure those compromises are going to be what is best for my staff, students and school as a whole.