Education Commons^™

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 …

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 …

A Vision Of Middle Level Administration : A Reflective Essay, Wendy R. Cunningham

Graduate Research Papers

Administration, regardless of its specific place, is never an easy job. Daft (2002) states that leadership occurs among people; it is not something done to people. Another author, Robert DeBlois (2000) says that an effective organization and a good leader rely on the talent, commitment, and leadership of many people in the organization. No one person, good leader or not, can effectively oversee, motivate, recognize, and support every individual within a school community. Being a good leader is no more or less complicated than knowing who you are and what your job is.

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 Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Jon T. Flynn

Graduate Research Papers

Educational leadership is a calling that encompasses many responsibilities and numerous obstacles to overcome. The rewards associated with this profession, however, overshadow the potential challenges. Every child that finds success by way of a meaningful educational experience is a tribute to the work of an educational leader. Although a large portion of the educational leader's work is not performed directly in front of a classroom of students, the ramifications of his/her work can be seen throughout a building.

Like an orchestral conductor, the educational leader is responsible for synchronizing separate sections into one meaningful, fluid collection. This person is responsible …

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 …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Jeffrey A. Haverland

Graduate Research Papers

I believe there are four critical elements necessary for any administrator to be a successful leader of learning. The first critical element is the creation and maintenance of an exceptional school climate and culture where learning is approached with enthusiasm and wonder. Second, the administrator must maintain a direct connection to the learning environment, at all times, so that learning is seen as important and expected. Third, ethical leadership of the school community is foundational to the success of the school community, and the building administrators must always act with integrity. Finally, the administrator must develop, implement, and continually support …

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 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 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 …

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 …

Snapshots Of Educational Experience And Leadership : A Reflective Essay On Core Beliefs And Critical Elements, Rick A. Miller

Graduate Research Papers

The best interest of the child is a foundation of all my beliefs and actions. As I reflect, I will be describing (as if taking an actual picture of the experience) snapshots in time related to my personal and professional growth as a person and educator.

In developing myself personally and professionally, I identified six critical elements of educational leadership including displaying effective communication skills, using assessment and problem-solving skills, modeling and supporting teaching and learning, collaborating by providing established structures and processes, having knowledge to influence stakeholders in political and legal systems, and being a reflective practitioner as a …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary And Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tim T. Moses.

Graduate Research Papers

As I think about the question of becoming an administrator, all sorts of things run through my mind. Things such as, am I really cut out to do this job ? Do I have what it takes to be an administrator? Will I fail or will I succeed? Will I have the support of my staff? Will I be able to perform the paper-pencil tasks of an administrator? Will I be able to handle the school's budget ? I mean the questions just go on and on. So, as I look at the driving forces behind my decision to become …