WWL: 1. Recognizing Your Potential as a Leader

1st decision for this course is that I will watch every video! I want to soak up all the experience and knowledge and use that to really help me grow in my leadership.

What I found so interesting is that many of these women, like myself, never thought they would be moving into a “L” leadership position. I was left pondering why so many amazing and talented women don’t! Of course some had a desire and made a clear path. For most of the women, they seemed to say that someone else recognized it in them and encouraged them.

Why is it that women, generally speaking, recognize it after validation from others? How can we pave the way so that future generations of those who identify as women have the confidence to step into the roles and see their own potential? These lovely women and many more have paved the way, and I want be part of that because it is truly special!

Beginning My Leadership Journey

Recognizing My Leadership

As I listened to the videos, I found myself nodding along to many of the qualities I consider part of my own leadership attributes.

• Listening
• Empathy
• Impactful
• Reliable
• Helpful
• Responsible
• Caring
• Organized
• Growth
• Advocacy
• Passionate
• Empowering
• Communication
• Facilitating
• Service

As I listened to these women, I am reminded of all the ways I have been a “l” leader. These are ideals that resonate with me and drive me to be better in and out of the classroom.

I realized my leadership in my first teaching job where I was fresh out of school and my very veteran team would listen to my ideas and incorporate them into our goal for the 7th graders. They were so supportive of new teacher and really treated me as their equal. Yet, they were insanely protect of me too. I am forever grateful for them and the many amazing teams I have had the pleasure of work with. I am a better educator and leader because of the people around me.

I can’t help but offer my assistance when it I see a need or am asked for guidance from a colleague. I often interject myself to help naturally as I see the potential in people and the IB program and I want them to be successful. If I can help move that forward, I often do everything I can to be part of the process.

I also delve into research and consume as much information about practices and programs before I “cliff dive” and add it as part of my practice. After I have read enough research and case studies, I often go in and try it and see how it works for me and my students.

If I have an opportunity to learn and grow, I take it!

Leadership I Offer

More recently, I have reflected on how I have led our school in the MYP program even though I never had a title for it. People often come to me to ask questions about the program, assessment, and grading. I created the first, and only true, IDU for the school. Over the past two years, I have been the Personal Project Coordinator. This has allowed me to work with teachers, although quite limited in time, to ensure more standardization of the PP. Our scores have increased over the past two years and we are more aligned with the IB scoring.

I have led many PD opportunities at school especially revolving around technology. I was a tech ambassador at my school for many years, but the program hasn’t been utilized recently.

Feedback & Reflection

For my students, I have been using student surveys for most of my career. I had an amazing mentor, while in college, teach me the value of it and how to utilize it as a reflection. At the end of each semester I send out the survey, look for patterns, and take a class period to review it with students. I discuss areas I have in my power to change and my thoughts on those change, examine from their perspective but also share mine, and be completely transparent with them.

For the last two years as the PP Coordinator, I have a session at the end of the year with supervisors to see how I could better serve and lead them. I review the data and reflect on where I can make changes if it doesn’t come from the IB program expectations.

Areas Of Growth

I would like to work on presenting more with adults and being able to lead by example for what they should be doing in the classroom. I really want to make a larger impact over the whole school. For example, I am currently pursuing more information about how to lead inquiry / conceptual based PD for teachers so that they can model it in the IB classroom. Sadly, I feel that PD in general is not good practices. Most of it goes against what good teaching and leading is. I haven’t been able to find great examples to review and want to work on creating almost a template to follow for PD. I know that there are amazing people who have wonderful PD, but I don’t have access to that. Too often PD is sit and listen with some discussion, work to be done, and minimal engagement. I want to disrupt that!

I’m not sure where to go with my desire for change and taking risks and how that will work in a more “L” leadership position. I know I will have to be more intentional and understand the impacts for the when it may not work out. In my classroom, the students are used to “Hey! I am trying something new. It may work amazing, but it may not. I will be learning and so will you. We will make changes as we need and ensure that I help you be successful.” I’m not sure how that will work with leading educators. I want my impact to be greater, but I also want it to be meaningful while helping educators and students grow to be the best version of themselves.