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Full-Text Articles in Education

A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Ralph J. Hughes Jan 2005

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 Preferred Vision For Exemplary, Character-Based Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Kerry M. Ketcham Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Exemplary, Character-Based Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Kerry M. Ketcham

Graduate Research Papers

The pivotal personality in the education equation is the educational leader. Without the leadership and guidance of an individual with impeccable personal character, and an unwavering optimistic vision, the educational establishment will shift and toss on a never-ending sea of improvement initiatives – or sink to the lowest common denominator of sorting people into their traditionally proper roles in society. With those characteristics cited above, a leader has an opportunity to deliver on the promise of educational opportunity for more community members. Even with these characteristics, the delivery of that promise is not certain, but it is more likely. And …


A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Al Blocker Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Al Blocker

Graduate Research Papers

An ideal school should be a place where every child wants to come and where every child is treated with respect and dignity. Schools should be a place where teachers are respected and feel valued about what they have to contribute. The ideal school should be a place where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated. People should feel this as they walk in the building. As a future administrator, I will do my best to make students and staff and other stakeholders feel appreciated, valued and respected.


A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Brian M. Moretz Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Brian M. Moretz

Graduate Research Papers

Leadership is a quality that one wants when leading a school or leading any group of people. The way to describe leadership would be strong, fair, and data driven. All leaders possess many different combinations of the above leadership qualities.

My values, beliefs and the critical elements will go a long way in helping me become the leader I want to become in the near future. They will give me direction and a place for me to come back to when I seem to be falling out of place. My beliefs will always be a part of the way I …


Five Components Essential For Leading A K-12 School In The Twenty-First Century : A Reflective Essay, Gregory A. O'Connell Jan 2005

Five Components Essential For Leading A K-12 School In The Twenty-First Century : A Reflective Essay, Gregory A. O'Connell

Graduate Research Papers

Administration is an occupation that requires much time and effort to provide success for students. Success has many critical elements that I will outline in this paper. First and foremost the administrator must have a passion for their role as the instructional, visionary, political, ethical, organizational, and collaborative leader. Managing the physical aspects of the building also engage the learning environment to be safe and successful. One of the last components is quality instruction. District curriculum can only provide to the students what the instructor "feeds" to them. Students need to be provided differentiated instruction to meet their individual needs.


A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Seabron R. Reese Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Seabron R. Reese

Graduate Research Papers

As a future educator, I feel the world is in dire need of quality educators to provide leadership far more superior than the previous generations. Education as a profession must involve leaders who can consistently perform to the highest level of expectation day in and day out. As students graduate and enter the workforce, the professions within this workforce entrust educators and exemplary leaders to provide honesty, support and encouragement to our fellow prize holders (our students).


Essential Characteristics Of An Effective Educational Leader : A Reflective Essay, Lindsey R. Rice Jan 2005

Essential Characteristics Of An Effective Educational Leader : A Reflective Essay, Lindsey R. Rice

Graduate Research Papers

An educational leader envisions the future and encourages others to align with the shared vision. He/she is able guide practices toward the vision to make it a reality. By thriving on successes and learning from failures, the vision will become focused and attainable. A leader must know how to tie the community of learners together with a common thread. All must be gazing upon the vision as they act each and every day.

I believe that there are four critical elements essential for exemplary educational leadership. A quality principal emulates visionary leadership, is an effective communicator, is a lifelong learner …


A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, James R. Meyer Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, James R. Meyer

Graduate Research Papers

Making every effort to improve student learning is a collaborative effort that includes schools, parents, and the community as a whole. As the pressure to raise test scores continues to mount, schools must see parents and the community as strong allies with a vested interest in schools. Schools have had a tremendous impact on student learning. If we bridge the gap to include parents and the broader community, we will enter into an era of unprecedented effectiveness in promoting student learning.


Critical Elements Essential For Exemplary Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Susan M. Muehl Jan 2005

Critical Elements Essential For Exemplary Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Susan M. Muehl

Graduate Research Papers

My core beliefs are very. strong when it comes to education. All students need effective staff members who are supportive of their endeavors. A supportive staff member is someone who is apart of the school community, they work well with others through effective communication, they support each other, and they all work toward the common shared vision of the school. My core beliefs match my goals to become an effective principal and the way I live my life.

The cultivation of a supportive community within a school happens over a period of time. The principal is the captain that leads …


A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Katie E. Christiansen Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Katie E. Christiansen

Graduate Research Papers

Defining effective leadership has been done by assembling lists of dispositions and traits that are found among individuals that encompass what a good leader should be. But to be that effective leader, the awareness of the characteristics is not enough. Instead, these idiosyncrasies should be at the core belief system of a leader. If these characteristics become instinctual, then they are represented in an effective leader's actions and they are accessible as a guiding force in times that are the most challenging.

This paper will explain what I believe to be the essential components that encompass my core beliefs I …


Fundamentals That Result In A Well-Managed School : A Reflective Essay, Brian Gravel Jan 2005

Fundamentals That Result In A Well-Managed School : A Reflective Essay, Brian Gravel

Graduate Research Papers

Educational leadership takes on many roles. In this paper I will reason in areas of collaboration, discipline, and planning, while exploring the relationship that they have on a well managed school. I will address the six Iowa Leadership Standards of: Professional Leadership, Visionary Leadership, Instructional Leadership, Collaborative Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Ethical Leadership, and Political Leadership; and make some parallels to my future success as an administrator using these standards.


An Effective Leader : A Reflective Essay, Darin Jones Jan 2005

An Effective Leader : A Reflective Essay, Darin Jones

Graduate Research Papers

Leadership can be accomplished in multiple ways: vocally, by example, or by a combination of the two. Any choice is.acceptable, but in order to be an effective leader you need to choose a method and believe in it. Personally, I lead by example. I work to be a vocal leader by praising in public. It is important to let students see it is all right to tell someone they did a very good job.

Setting good examples for students is key to leadership. Many times this is done by responses to situations. Reaction is quite often done without thought and …


Critical Elements Of Success For Educational Leaders : A Reflective Essay, Jennifer L. Pettlon Jan 2005

Critical Elements Of Success For Educational Leaders : A Reflective Essay, Jennifer L. Pettlon

Graduate Research Papers

Throughout my life and studies I have determined that several elements are critical to being a successful leader: (a) effective communication, (b) a strong work ethic, (c) motivational and positive, and (d) a complete leader. Each of these elements is needed and each has an importance of its own. Throughout this paper each element will be defined, information given about its importance to being a successful leader, and practical application.


What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Brian J. Price Jan 2005

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.


Critical Elements Essential For Exemplary Educational Leadership, Kara T. Jones Jan 2005

Critical Elements Essential For Exemplary Educational Leadership, Kara T. Jones

Graduate Research Papers

Education is a chameleon that is ever changing. As educators we must be willing to see where change needs to be made and accept the fact that we as individuals may need to change in order to provide the best education that the students deserve. Change is not an easy thing to accept or accomplish. It is more comfortable to sit in the same old place and not look outside our blinders. However we must realize that this does not help students or their parents. Not only does it not help these people it does not help us become better …


Critical Elements For Leadership In Education : A Reflective Essay, Joan C. Schueller Jan 2005

Critical Elements For Leadership In Education : A Reflective Essay, Joan C. Schueller

Graduate Research Papers

An educational institution will not perform better than its top leader and will not carry a vision that its leader does not promote. Effective leadership is essential in education today with unprecedented demands on educators and the ever-changing culture of children and families. Ethical leadership, instructional leadership, visionary leadership and organizational skills are critical elements of effective educational leaders in our schools.


A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Beth Lang Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Beth Lang

Graduate Research Papers

I think that it is critical, as someone who would like to become an administrator, to have a vision and to know what critical elements I feel are essential as a future administrator. I feel that it.helps us guide our decisions. It gives us a basis to fall back on when we make decisions. There are so many decisions we need to make day to day that sometimes I feel we could get lost in what is important. I think this guide can be used so that when we need to make a decision we can go back and look …


What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Kathlynn W. Breinich Jan 2005

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Kathlynn W. Breinich

Graduate Research Papers

Communication is the ground work for everything. Without it an administrator cannot effectively move their school forward. However, the school needs a direction to go. When an administrator has a vision, he or she can lead the school in that direction – thus making the school a better place. In order for the school to be effective, it is also helpful to have an administrator that has good organizational skills.

Finally, a school is built for instruction. Above all else, an administrator must remember why they are there, to assist the staff in teaching children. The administrator must hold teachers …


Namibia Principals' Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Hiv/Aids And Their Compliance With The Ministry's National Policy, Shamani-Jeffrey Shikwambi Jan 2005

Namibia Principals' Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Hiv/Aids And Their Compliance With The Ministry's National Policy, Shamani-Jeffrey Shikwambi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is infecting school-age children at an alarming rate. Effective education is the only prevention at this time. School principals can serve as a vital component in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in school-age children. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and the attitudes of school principals in Namibia towards HIV/AIDS. The study also examined the extent of Namibian school principals' awareness level and implementation practices of the Namibian HIV/AIDS National Policy.

One hundred and forty-three school principals completed the HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes Scales for Teachers (Koch …


What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Kathleen M. Walech Jan 2005

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Kathleen M. Walech

Graduate Research Papers

What do I believe about leadership and education? In order to answer that question, I must delve into my past experience with education, examine why I became an educator, and what I have come to believe about educational leadership. When I ask myself when it was that I knew I wanted to be an educator, I do not believe I can pinpoint an exact moment. In fact, I do not believe I ever gave any real consideration to any other career. For as long as I can remember, teachers were people I admired and education was something I valued. I …


A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Theresa A. Fisher Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Theresa A. Fisher

Graduate Research Papers

Effective principals articulate a clear vision about what they expect of adults and students. They do this more than just the beginning of the year. They spend time explaining to students what they expect in achievement, behavior, attitude,and effort. They don't make excuses. They make sure learners have what they need to meet high expectations. They motivate, inspire, provide direction, and celebrate excellence. If principals don't have high expectations, they cannot expect much of others.

Principals must establish high expectations in their schools. You can model high expectations by selecting challenging goals, informing others of your dreams, and keeping people …


A Look At Administrative Qualities For Success : A Reflective Essay, Beth Ann Kleve Jan 2005

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.


A Preferred Vision For Leading K-12 Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tammy A. Kruse Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading K-12 Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tammy A. Kruse

Graduate Research Papers

Every child deserves the learning/development and opportunities to earn a diploma. Since education is the primary building block in becoming a successful citizen, as teachers we should make every attempt for student achievement and the development of citizenship. Every child has the ability to learn if given the correct tools to do so and is given a chance. Educators must be honest and trustworthy individuals to earn students' respect. As educators, we all need to encourage children to enjoy education and to understand that life is about life long learning.


A Preferred Vision For Administering Schools : A Reflective Essay, Mark E. Lawler Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Administering Schools : A Reflective Essay, Mark E. Lawler

Graduate Research Papers

The role of an educational leader has changed in the last century. The principal of a school has more responsibility and accountability than ever before. Chief among them is being a role model for students and adults in the school and community, and a leader in the school's progress. Always in the public eye, the principal must make choices based on good judgement and data, and must search for what is best for the stakeholders. The principal should be open to new ideas and pushing the school forward. As Wilmore said in Principal Leadership, a school that is not …


A Preferred Vision For Leading Schools : A Reflective Essay, Deanne E.H. Lewis Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading Schools : A Reflective Essay, Deanne E.H. Lewis

Graduate Research Papers

"A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment" (Wilmore, 2002, p. 52). All children should be given equal opportunity for advancement and growth. What is challenging for one child may be boring and repetitive for another. Placing students in appropriate settings that will allow the appropriate level of challenge and pace of learning for each child is the goal for the creation of the differentiating classroom.


A Preferred Vision For Leading An Exemplary School : A Reflective Essay, Robert S. Libolt Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading An Exemplary School : A Reflective Essay, Robert S. Libolt

Graduate Research Papers

Education is a cornerstone in a person's life. Education is vital in today's society. With out it you miss out on many opportunities. As a student moves through the grades of a school district that student is being enriched in many ways.

High school is the beginning of something so much more than classes, athletics, social organizations, and fun: it is the start of your future. Many students don't understand their own potential, and education allows the chance to discover it. Getting an education is the best thing any person can do. From family to money to how you live …


What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Diane Shumate Foley Jan 2005

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 Vision For Leading Schools : A Reflective Essay, Karen J. Coates. Jan 2005

A Vision For Leading Schools : A Reflective Essay, Karen J. Coates.

Graduate Research Papers

Education has undergone many changes in the past few decades. Many of these changes are due to our changing society, and others are due to those in education who see the need to make changes. Still other changes come from government directives. Our world is not the same world that it was when public.education came into being. The two parent family where mom stays home and dad goes to work as seen in 1950's television shows very rarely exists. Rural one-room schools under county jurisdiction have given way to larger consolidated school districts.

With legal mandates to include disabled children …


A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, John Zimmerman Jan 2005

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, John Zimmerman

Graduate Research Papers

When I first made the decision to change the way I serve students by pursuing an educational leadership degree in hopes to one day become a principal, I was filled with excitement and apprehension. Accomplishing a life-long goal was actually foreseeable. Becoming a principal is something I have always wanted to accomplish, however, I was uncertain of many aspects of the master's program including the coursework, the professional requirements, and I questioned my ability to serve and lead people. With the assistance and guidance of the many people I've worked with, I am confident in my ability to provide equal …


What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Matthew R. Bro Jan 2005

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, …