Lambert states that good leadership should maintain six assumptions, as listed on page 4.
1. Everyone has the right, responsibility, and capability to be a leader”
I feel all are created equal, and should not be denied the opportunity to lead if the leadership is desired. Those in a continuous leadership can have a narrow perspective, and sometimes changing the role can affect the outlook on the position. Regardless of position, one should either step up to be a leader, or step back to allow others to lead.
2. The adult learning environment in the school district is the most critical factor in evoking acts of leadership”.
As the teacher we merely use our knowledge to help guide our younger counterparts. We all learn from each other- teachers from teachers, students from teachers, and teachers from students.
3. The adult learning environment, opportunities for skillful participation top the list of priorities.
Participation and the level of skill that accompanies this participation is essential. Great skill that is not used is worthless. People generally wish to contribute and help, but often do not know how, or feel their participation is not valued. It is essential to welcome and value all input.
4. How we define leadership frames how people will participate in it.
The tone and atmosphere of the leadership will greatly affect how others participate. If the leadership does not foster and encourage participation, it will not occur willingly.
5. Educators yearn to be purposeful, professional human beings, and leadership is an essential aspect of a professional life”.
Teachers go into education as they feel their instruction has purpose. Part of teaching, is stepping forth and being a leader, either to students or to peers.
6. Educators are purposeful, and leadership realizes purpose.
All lessons given should have a purpose. Leadership must recognize and establish a purpose when leading a group to be effective. Without a purpose, participation and skill will not be utilized.
When those who lead are unable to fill their role, others must step in to take that role. There are often opportunities for skillful participation. One just needs to watch for gaps, and use their skills to fill in where needed. For example, today our administrative staff was unavailable. The flu virus, lovingly noted as the plague had made its mark on our district today. The principals and upper level teachers who normally would fill in were either out sick or were out because of family, leaving just the secretaries to take care of administrative tasks. The nurse was also out sick.
ReplyDeleteDespite the importance of those roles, chaos did not ensue. Our staff and students readjusted, and teachers worked to fill those leadership roles. The superintendent was on standby if there were any issues; however there were not any problems that required her assistance. As I watched the dynamics of things, I found it interesting how seamless and smoothly this occurred. It is unusual for all our district principals (except one) to be unexpectedly gone.
At the same time, it made me realize how important all those roles are in our school. Many neighboring schools have made drastic cuts eliminating assistant principals, and full time nurses. Our school is lucky our school is to have a nurse to help those students who need everything from blood sugar tests, emesis basins, to band aids.
I was ‘given’ and accepted the role of handling any discipline problems, which was a first. My role proved to be extremely easy as there were not any issues that required additional support beyond the classroom teacher. Although there were no issues today, if were handed that role again tomorrow, I know I could accept and do alright.
With our missing leaders out yesterday, I thought a great deal of the leadership structure in our school. And about those who were sick, and those who need to ‘sub’ in.
ReplyDeleteWith 6 students out in my one afternoon class I discussed things with another teacher. I mentioned the loss of our administration and all the six sick students I had in one class alone. I mentioned I was hoping to not get sick myself. I could almost imagine the wave of sickness that was spreading through the school like a green tidal wave. It’s almost as though my students that afternoon were perhaps nothing more than carriers of virus. The teacher reminded me how earlier such a wave indeed had swept around to the first and second grade wings. My classroom was on the end of that path.
Ironically having to take a sick day today, I had time to reflect about the last day I had off, thinking about the first of Lambert’s assumptions. “Everyone has the right, responsibility, and capability to be a leader”.
There often comes a time where when something becomes so important, that you will stand up, and put yourself in front of others and say, “I’ll lead”. Although I truly was not in charge of discipline yesterday, leadership can also be standing up for what you believe in, and providing the skills, passion, and belief for something that you know needs to occur. I am speaking more of civil injustices in society that, someone stood up and took a stand, and then called activists helped procure the many civil liberties in our country we take for granted. I am glad those leaders became motivated, and accepted that role.
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ReplyDeleteI left school last week thinking of thoughts of the upcoming superintendent, and the leadership structure. I was able to quickly clear my mind of those changes. Returning home, to where I am the "leader" of my family. It’s a much more personal, important, wonderful, and often far more dangerous place than my classroom. My participants at school only have me for 40 minutes at a time. These three have me 24/7. Even at school.
ReplyDelete"How we define leadership frames how people will participate in it" (Lambert, 4”. My 'participants' can often make things very… challenging. They are always challenging their poor Dad, to see (I think) how often he will crack. Perhaps even as a sport. For whatever reason is this occurrence, I am reminded frequently that I have to be a calm, patient leader. My kids and my students are looking up to me to define how leadership is maintained. How one conducts themselves, in all the events that occur in a daily basis in the household are always watched. One should model their words, actions, and thoughts in a way that will provide a stable, but nourishing frame to encourage participation. With hopes that that those who are being modeled are not more interested in being the leader.
Although my participants are often attempting to be the leader, I am also reminded that perhaps I should take another look at the one leadership assumption of Lamberts, “Everyone has the right, responsibility, and capability to be a leader” (Lambert 4). Perhaps the pupils have learned a chance to attempt to lead. Maybe not! However, one must be given a chance to try. I did say that sometimes leaders need to step back! I will definitely have to try this on next Father’s Day.