Module 3 - Leader

Topic #1

With not actually ever teaching in a classroom(besides student teaching)I have not had much practice or participation with teaching standards. The most practice I have had and studied would be with the West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards (WVPTS). These standards when introduced to me I felt where all very valuable to remind us a teachers what we are supposed to be doing in the classroom.  In looking back at them I also found that each standards has 1 if not more standards that I feel are encouraging teachers to be leaders in the classroom. 

So I picked out the the Function in each standards I felt representing the goal of teacher leadership. Below are the standards I picked out:

Standard 1:

Function 1E: Student Assessment – The teacher uses a balanced approach to ensure both assessment of learning and assessment for learning to provide both teacher and students information to guide future learning. 1E1 pg. 13 ; 1E2 pg. 14

Standard 2:

Function 2B: Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport – The teacher shows respect for students by having high expectations,

providing management frameworks that clearly define roles and procedures, using respectful language, communicating interest in students as individuals and encouraging student collaboration. 2B1 pg. 19 ; 2B2 pg. 20 ; 2B3 pg. 21

Standard 3:

Function 3D: Student Engagement – The teacher delivers instruction to motivate and engage students in a deep understanding of the content. 3D1 pg. 40 ; 3D2 pg. 41 ; 3D3 pg. 42

Standard 4:

Function 4D: Professional Contribution – The teacher contributes to the effectiveness, vitality and self-renewal of the teaching profession through investigation of new ideas that improve teaching practice and learning for students. 4D1 pg. 54

Standard 5:

Function 5H: Teacher Leadership – The teacher demonstrates leadership by implementing classroom and school initiatives that improve education as well as by making positive changes in policy and practice that affect student learning. 5H1 pg. 68

I am a believer that these standards are put in place to guide teachers along the way. I feel the same with these standards. I don’t believe 1 over the other is more important to teacher leadership but together they will help develop a strong leader out of any teacher. I also find it interested that in some form leadership is promoted in each standard. The state also must value teacher leadership. 

Topic #2

The 3 leadership pathways below all play an important role in a teachers leadership development:

A pathway for teachers who leave their classrooms to move into formal administrative positions as school leaders, 

A pathway for teachers who remain in their classrooms to develop and share a deeper knowledge base about teaching with their students and colleagues

A pathway that bridges the two previously mentioned paths, that is for teachers who spend part of their time in a classroom and part of their time taking on additional administrative and professional development responsibilities.

We need leaders to take on each of the above pathways. I think the key as a leader to help the teachers find their path is to support them in figuring out what path is best for them. As a leader helping a teacher find their path I think the first thing that needs to happen is a conversation. Talk with the teacher to see what they want to get out of their career. 

My supervisors recently sat me down and asked me what I wanted to get out of my career, what was my next step. I struggled with this question at first but over multiple conversations I feel I want to leave my current role as Resident Director for a more administrative position. These conversations I believe helped me feel confident in applying for an administrative position in North Carolina. I will be starting this new administrative position this month! In looking back I feel these conversations led me to applying for this position.

I am sure their are more ways to lead teachers to a pathway that works best for them but I feel strongly from my own experience that conversations and support is key to helping someone down a new pathway. Last I feel these pathways can change at any point during a teachers career. I think having these conversations each year about your goals for your future are so beneficial as we change each year!

Topic #3

This week I will be starting a new job and will defiantly need to do an assessment of the technology available to me in my new current position. I feel the first thing I will need to do, is see how the institute is currently using technology. I am estimating this to make 3-6 months. I do not believe in making changes before you know why and what needs to be changes. I strongly believe in justifying change.

I feel after this assessment though I will be able to do some research on what items can possible be brought in to help us. I know that they currently use a lot of Free online resources that I am already aware of but possible with a little money we might be able to get better and more effective technology for us to use. Again this will take time and patience as well as communication with current employees on items they like and dislike. 

I feel due to the size of my staff to collect the data, the most efficient way will be threw communication among the employees or a short survey/questionnaire on what they currently like and dislike about the technology tools they use. I feel if I was to create this survey we could have a collective meeting afterwards and I could possible introduce some technology items to see their thoughts. 

I know with a lot of technology you are able to get free trials. I would love to introduce some free trials to the employees as well to get their feed back before making any changes. My goal with any assessment or change that gets made having a valid reason behind it.