Education Commons^™

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary, Middle, And High Schools : A Reflective Essay, Jodie M. Schepler

Graduate Research Papers

This is a personal reflective research paper that is a discussion of my personal characteristics, values, beliefs, and philosophies, while also outlining qualities that I believe are essential for leaders in education. This paper is a personal statement that will lead to the explanation of what I believe constitutes an exemplary educational leader.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Michael J. Irvin

Graduate Research Papers

The key topics of education will be revealed throughout the entirety of this essay. The purpose of education and why leaders are important to school success will be the first topic. The section describes how leaders mold the school and work with teachers to find best practice is key to school-wide success. The next area the essay dissects is how the principal leads learning for students and teachers. School leaders have to bring teachers up to the maximum potential through staff development.

The third section will explain the importance of leadership during the change process. The fourth portion addresses how …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Diane Shumate Foley

Graduate Research Papers

A school leader is not an easy job. Decisions are not always clearly defined and courage, strength, and confidence are needed to make difficult choices. But, if you are leading with integrity and fairness and exhibit ethical, respectful behavior while applying humor where appropriate, then you will be a better human being and a better school leader. This is my goal. As Vince Lombardi aptly phrased it, "there is only one way to succeed in anything and that is to give everything."

A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Ralph J. Hughes

Graduate Research Papers

Great leadership is the key to achieving success within any organization, team, and in my case, school. A strong leader always tries to keep things positive and his or her team on the same page, trying to achieve the same goal. To achieve the highest level of success within a school, an educational leader must: develop and implement a shared vision, develop clear communication, provide strong instructional leadership, and develop and maintain a positive school climate.

A Look At Administrative Qualities For Success : A Reflective Essay, Beth Ann Kleve

Graduate Research Papers

It is not just having a degree, and a few classes that help to make a person a good administrator. It is having an understanding and passion about ones own personal beliefs and core values that will help to make the difference between a good administrator and a great administrator.

In the following paper professionalism, leadership, morality, and learning will be discussed further. Examining how each of these areas are important qualities for an administrator to develop and maintain as a leader in a school.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Brian J. Price

Graduate Research Papers

Becoming an educational leader is something I have thought about since becoming a teacher. For a school to run successfully, those in charge must have an understanding of their own beliefs and how those beliefs will fit into the vision of the school. In this paper, I will discuss why I became an educator, what I believe about education, why I decided to enter this program to be a principal and what I believe about leadership.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Matthew R. Bro

Graduate Research Papers

The works of a great leader will brilliantly encompass many specific critical elements. One must consider the many different ways an individual leader's own unique personality can combine the critical elements together. The critical leadership elements combined with the individual's own unique personality traits will make one realize that to break down the critical elements of the exceptional leader is a daunting task.

We are very complex, fearfully and wonderfully made creatures (Psalm 139:14) that cannot be analyzed easily. However we have likely experienced great leadership, and have asked ourselves: Why it is that this person motivates me, challenges me, …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tammy Murphy-Flynn

Graduate Research Papers

My beliefs about education have been evolving for nearly four decades. These beliefs about education have developed as I have grown professionally. My many roles as a student, teacher, mother, and counselor have influenced my beliefs and values. Each role has provided a different perspective from which I have viewed the educational world. The different roles, and their perspectives, have overlapped, agreed, and disagreed. My life roles and experiences have shaped me and will continue to do so.

The list for elements that are critical to exemplary leadership is truly endless. I believe that for an administrator the elements change …

My Vision And Beliefs To Effectively Lead A Middle School : A Reflective Research Paper, Philip L. Laube

Graduate Research Papers

The most influential role in a school is the educational leader. A leader's vision and beliefs are what shapes the school's success or failure. Leadership qualities involve being an effective communicator, an instructional leader, a facilitator of change, a relationship builder, and an ethical leader. Obviously, the range of roles the principal must possess is vast. Within each educational leadership quality are numerous traits that aid in the effectiveness of the principal.

A Vision Of Secondary Level Administration : A Reflective Essay, Stephanie N. Mohorne

Graduate Research Papers

There are many different elements necessary for success as an educational leader. For example, it is essential that a leader be able to effectively communicate with all, this includes teachers, staff, parents, students and community members. Also, complete knowledge of the six Iowa Standards for School Leaders is important. Any educational leader in the state of Iowa must not only know the standards, but must also be able to demonstrate his or her ability to meet each one. The key phrase in each of the six standards is "who promotes the success of all students". This is what I plan …

A Personal Philosophy Of Secondary Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, John A. Netty Ii

Graduate Research Papers

The ability to create and share a vision, knowledge of the.data collection process, organizational effectiveness, and the ability to lead ethically are indeed four critical elements of effective educational leadership. However, I do not believe that these four elements alone will result in an educational leader that is truly great. The truly great educational leader will utilize these elements while helping those around them see more potential in themselves than they ever knew existed. In addition, the truly great educational leader will inspire those around them to fully realize or even exceed this potential. Ultimately, the truly great educational leader …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Mark R. Sade

Graduate Research Papers

I have chosen education as my lifetime career because I believe education is, perhaps, the most important occupation within our culture. I believe teachers, individually and collectively, not only change the world, but also improve it. In the service to children, I find personal and professional renewal. I am proud to be part of this noble profession and want to be counted among those in whom future teachers can say they found inspiration.

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary And Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Melissa D. Hasty

Graduate Research Papers

I believe our education system is vital to our nation and to our way of life. We need educational leaders who are committed to our students and willing to become masters of each of the critical elements associated with exemplary principals. The six Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL) define what the exemplary school principal should know, be like and do to create productive schools where all children are learning.

A Vision For Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Melissa M. O'Brien

Graduate Research Papers

The decision to pursue a master's degree in Educational Leadership was not decided without a great deal of reflection and contemplation. It was necessary when pondering this decision to consider many issues, such as the complexity of the educational system, the students, and the potential impact--both positive and negative--that a person working in a school setting might have over the course of a career in educational leadership.This paper is an attempt to articulate how some of my experiences, skills, knowledge, and values have formed and how these attributes contributed to the formation of my philosophy of educational leadership.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Katie J. Koble/Walsworth

Graduate Research Papers

Good leadership is critical for a successful school. The school revolves around the leadership at the top. It is important for administrators to have respect from teachers and students. I feel one of the best ways to gain respect is to be fair in the area of discipline. Organized structure and high expectations become achievable if there is fairness across the board. I feel it is important to make no exceptions and stand by the school policies in order for people to believe in the integrity of an administrator.

I feel good leaders must exemplify the characteristics of good, caring …

A Preferred Vision For Administrating Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Travis J. Fleshner

Graduate Research Papers

The mission and. vision of the American public school system must promote the individual success of each of its students. School districts throughout the country are as unique as the students that attend them; just as the needs of each school system are unique. The physical structure and climate vary from district to district, and state to state. The dynamics of the educational system are too great to box up and label one district as the model for all others use as a pattern. However, there are important elements that create school districts that are higher achieving than others. The …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Melinda J. Hart

Graduate Research Papers

A balance between all academic standards will create an effective leader striving to provide a safe and educationally rich learning environment for all children. An administrator must be clear in the set of beliefs they plan to practice.

My professional vision is to utilize my leadership style to create a school climate where the worth of all children is recognized and all children will be included in the classroom to the maximum extent possible. These children will grow to be socially responsible individuals capable of functioning successfully in the world around them to the best of their abilities. The overwhelming …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Gerald W. Hatfield

Graduate Research Papers

Educational administration is an appealing career opportunity for me because it will allow me to put into action two core values that I learned in my early years - we all deserve the chance to succeed and that hard work toward a lofty goal is what leads to cherished success. I believe that if l continue to develop four personal characteristics, my chances of being an ; effective administrator will be greatly enhanced. First and foremost, I must act with integrity at all times. Second, I must present an organized approach to my school activities. Third, I must be a …

Leading An Elementary School To Excellence : A Reflective Essay, Christine L. Mccarron

Graduate Research Papers

The educational leaders of today have the potential to be a vital part of some of the greatest transformations of education in history. The new information that we are learning about the brain and how we learn, combined with ever-changing technological advances and political mandates, will cause us to reconsider all of our school structures and methods. That reform will not occur by initiating any single program, strategy or mandate. Instead, we must extend our picture of reality by finding powerful and all-embracing ways to perceive and describe trends and patterns over time.

A Vision For Administrating Iowa Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Mark Scott

Graduate Research Papers

The role of secondary principals is always changing. The days of the secondary principal being the master of discipline no longer exists. Discipline is now only a minute part of a principal's role. A principal's role is moving more towards a team player and leader. Teamwork is needed to ensure all students receive the very best educational opportunities. The principal must play an active role in developing all the components necessary for students to succeed in the secondary schools.

A Preferred Vision For Administering High Schools : A Reflective Essay, Jason A. Knittel

Graduate Research Papers

If a person wants to succeed on becoming a principal, a leader, that person has to understand what people want and need. A principal needs to learn how to listen and talk with people. He also needs to understand different cultures, because not everyone is the same. There is an important relationship between the law and protection of the students as well as the staff.

A principal needs to have a sense of humor. Laugh with the students and the staff. Others will understand him as a human. He needs to be strong. People like to mock policies or complain …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Brian E. Duwe

Graduate Research Papers

I see the role of the Administrator as the commander and leader of the school's vision. Concern, compassion and consideration are strong virtues a leader must have. I think Administrators have the capability to have an impact on all areas of the school community. A true leader possesses the ability to get individuals to work together for the common good and the best possible results for all.

A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Paul Flynn

Graduate Research Papers

I believe leadership is a tenuous position. Exemplary educational leaders need to be honest, forthright, consistent, fair, and caring. A failure in any of these traits often results in the loss of faith in the leader. People will not follow a leader they no longer have faith in. In addition to these traits, a good leader must be a tireless worker. Keeping the vision alive and -functioning must be a continual process, and if the principal is not willing to work at it, neither will others. Leadership involves creating an atmosphere and an environment where people are willing to adapt …

My Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Angela J. Fowler

Graduate Research Papers

I believe the most profound experiences have been watching my mentor in her administrative style and comparing that to the style of my current and past administrators. Somewhere along the way I have taken elements from each one of their administrative styles, and shaped it into a style of my own. I believe I will be an excellent leader, largely due to the tremendous experiences along the way. I am excited to think about the successes and challenges I will encounter as I guide leadership capacity, and shape the culture of the people I lead.

This paper will be a …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Maurice D. Betzel

Graduate Research Papers

Today's aspiring principals may have a lot to worry about, but they also have a lot to celebrate. Not only do today's principals have to worry about the mental and physical challenges of the principalship, but they also are living in a time of tremendous possibility for systemic change. The possibility for raising the level of student performance is not only unprecedented, it is to be celebrated.

Principals must have a tremendous desire to lead in today's world. They must believe every child can learn and help that child discover his/her particular way of learning. They must have a commitment …

A Vision For Administering An Elementary School, Karen L. Thorpe

Graduate Research Papers

My philosophy of educational leadership has developed from the experiences I have had over the course of my lifetime. It began with the values taught to me by my parents and has continued to build to the present. My parents provided a caring and secure family life for my four siblings and me. Neither my mother nor my father had the benefit of much formal education. Neither was able to graduate from high school because they had the obligation to contribute income to their families during the depression. Perhaps the hardships they lived through were the basis of the values …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Cheri Thomas Cederlund

Graduate Research Papers

I believe that the role of the principal is vital in the development of a school climate and a culture where instructional leadership emerges from the teachers themselves. Building a culture that supports and builds capacity for shared leadership and learning takes work. "Such a culture doesn't magically appear; it evolves through explicit and intentional work at defining, redesigning, and continuously improving every aspect of the way they do school" (Conzemius & O'Neill, 2001, p. 114). Although every person within the organization plays a role in initiating this culture, shared responsibility and leadership, the most significant role a principal can …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Todd M. Coulter

Graduate Research Papers

The key to leadership is confidence: not only in yourself, but those around you to get the job done to your satisfaction. Good leaders surround themselves with good people to whom they can delegate responsibility to and trust that it will be done satisfactorily. Leaders must not only bask in the glow of success, but also bathe in the spotlight of failure, readily admitting fault when necessary.

A quality leader possesses good motivational skills and is adept at "handling" people. In my experiences, good leaders remain calm under pressure and are constantly striving to improve not only themselves, but also …

A Vision Of Leadership For Secondary School : A Reflective Essay, Bret A. Jones

Graduate Research Papers

Leadership requires a vision. A clear picture of what you want to accomplish. It's teaching those around you how they can better themselves as well as the people they are working with. It's developing, organizing, and monitoring a plan so the vision can be carried out. It's knowing that you cannot reach the vision alone and drawing from the people around you. Using all the resources your school and community have to offer. Leadership is modeling desired behaviors and showing others you care. Leadership is making tough decisions , and leading change when needed. Leadership is not what you think, …

A Vision Of Elementary School Leadership : A Reflective Research Paper, Dawn R. Embretson

Graduate Research Papers

I want to help children feel that sense of belonging, self-worth, and pride that comes from learning. My task as an administrator will be to put the necessary pieces in place to make sure that happens. One strand woven throughout all my experiences is the importance of building and sustaining relationships.

Two key beliefs I will discuss in the following pages include: 1. The keys to helping our students find success is in the effectiveness of our teachers. 2. An administrator is responsible for creating a nurturing school environment, which enables him/her to lead students, families and staff toward a …