Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons^™

A Female Pdt’S Journey In The Northern Areas Of Pakistan, Safida Begum

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

This paper presents the learning journey of a female Professional Development Teacher (PDT) in the context of Northern Pakistan. This journey highlights difficulties for the female PDT in constructing her image as a leader or a change agent in a traditionally male dominated society. The paper explores the major challenges faced by the PDT in putting the theory of leadership into the realities of the context and describes the supporting factors that enabled her to establish herself as a leader. From her experiences, the author draws the processes and strategies for a female leader in a rural male dominated society, …

Initiating Change In Classrooms: Pathways And Challenges For East African Schools, Anjum Halai, Ruth Otienoh, Zeenat Shariff, Naomi Swat

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

This paper draws upon classroom-related findings from a set of impact case studies of whole school improvement in six primary schools that have been involved as “cooperating schools” in long-term school-university partnerships with the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (IED), and it’s Professional Development Centre in East Africa (PDC-EA). The IED approach for school improvement involves participating schools in multiple strands of professional development, including: a two-year masters degree programme that provides selected teachers with the pedagogical and leadership knowledge and skills to serve as Professional Development Teachers in their schools; Certificate in Education programmes (CEP) for teachers …

Teaching Quality In Self-Study Research, Ayesha Bashiruddin

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

This paper discusses how the Master of Education (MEd) students at AKU-IED are empowered to understand and monitor quality in self study research. The paper is based on the experience of teaching self study research over a period of three years. During this period, students in the Teacher Learning course in the MEd programme were asked to explore their journey of becoming teachers and teacher educators using self study research. As an end product the students were asked to write an autobiography. During these processes of self-exploration and the writing process, they were asked to follow guidelines identified by Bullough …

Teacher Leaders: Experiences Of Pakistani Teachers In Leading School Improvement Activities, Mwanaate Shabaan, Rashida Qureshi

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Teachers As Leaders In The Pakistani Context, Nusrat Fatima Rizvi

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

When Is It Time For Science?, Raymond J. Dagenais

Publications & Research

The title of this article begs the question, "When should we be teaching science to our children?"

Even before birth human beings may recognize natural phenomena such as pressure and temperature differences, and spontaneously react to changes in such things. These are learning experiences. It can be argued that as the brain continues to grow and develop, connections are beginning to be formed and subconscious memories created. Information gathered through the senses may be stored in unarticulated patterns in the brain. Here is the foundation for a scientific understanding of nature.

Collaborative Leadership Is A Critical Element Essential For Exemplary Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, William R. Sieck

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers, principals, and parents working together as an educational team to provide the best possible education for our children is a very important task. The efforts of the teachers in the classrooms and the leadership of the principal in the school are very important in this effort. In order for schools to do their best for the students several factors are needed. Many of these are things that need to be nurtured and supported. Some are always considered to be a work in progress.

A viable curriculum that is rigorous and relevant is important. Learning to set appropriate goals and …

A Preferred Way For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Travis M. Axeen

Graduate Research Papers

Leadership education is the beginning step for those interested in the challenge of being a school administrator. A school administrator is a leader in the school and in the community. His leadership encompasses many different areas including vision, instruction, organization, collaborative dealings, ethics, and political areas. Leadership education forces students to begin thinking like an administrator and stresses the importance of a school administrator being an educational leader promoting the success of all students. As administrators we want to promote the success of all students. In order to do this a school vision must be formulated. A visionary leader will …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Paul R. Henely

Graduate Research Papers

What I believe about leadership and education can be partly explained in the following words. Among the strongest of critical elements included in exemplary leadership in education are building relationships, hiring great teachers and developing the ones you have, maintaining high expectations, and creating a positive climate and culture.

Educational Leadership In An Age Of Accountability : A Reflective Essay, Laura J. Medberry

Graduate Research Papers

There are qualities of educational leaders that will lead them to success. A leader can use these qualities to improve the student achievement in a building, the self-concepts of the students and the teachers, and their own professional capacity. Four of these critical elements include the ability to develop a positive culture and climate, the ability to develop leaders within an organization, their ability to think systemically and systematically, and the integrity of their character.

What I Believe About Leadership In Education : A Reflective Essay, James R. Cook

Graduate Research Papers

The job of a principal has endless responsibilities and expectations. Knowing what your convictions are, morals, philosophy, expectations, and your vision of the future are key components in becoming a principal. Having an understanding of technology and where it can be used to enhance learning will help students become prepared for the future as well as getting the parents and community to support the school district will help in all areas of the school; such as academics, athletics, and the fine arts. Having all of the areas become successful in their own right, will give any principal the feeling of …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : Reflective Research, Trent A. Jeffrey

Graduate Research Papers

In the field of education, having a great leader is very important. The principal is like a captain of a ship. He can lead that ship right down the middle so that his students and staff can see things from both sides or he can run aground and really cause some problems. Leadership is something that must come from within. You can definitely tell when you are around someone that is a natural leader and someone who is trying their hardest.

A leader is someone who is well read on the new and innovative changes in education. They are caring, …

Leading To Develop A Culture Of Learning : A Reflective Essay, Stacie A. Henderson

Graduate Research Papers

As a principal, being the.instructional leader is a tremendous challenge. An instructional leader is a principal who knows the students in the school and is a constant advocate of what is best for them. Carrying the title of Principal does not automatically qualify you as an instructional leader. Instructional leaders set high expectations for the school community and support those members in reaching the expectations. This is done by being on the front lines, attending to student needs, researching best practice and learning and practicing strategies with the teachers. It is only in this capacity that an instructional leader can …

Self-Mutilation : A Misunderstood Behavior, Carmon Rasmussen

Graduate Research Papers

Self-mutilation is most accurately described as the intentional harm of one's own body. Individuals engage in this behavior as a means of coping with intense emotions. The act of harming one's own body provides a release of endorphins, which provides the self-mutilator with a sense of relief. This behavior is becoming problematic within the adolescent population and a growing concern for those in the field of school counseling. School counselors need to have a strong grasp of the characteristics, functions, and intervention strategies involved with self-mutilation to be effective advocates for this population of students.

The Utilization Of Gender, Retention, Ses And Steep Scores To Predict Reading Mastery, Lisa Lee Adams

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gender, retention, SES and STEEP scores to predict reading mastery. Second grade students’ records were reviewed to obtain demographic information. SAT 9 scores were used to measure students' reading mastery. SES was measured and defined by approved applications for free or reduced lunch for the 2004-2005 school year. Retention was defined as the number of students previously retained. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictive validity of gender, retention, SES and STEEP scores dependent on SAT 9 reading mastery. Gender, retention, SES and STEEP scores were entered as …

Educational Leadership And The Vital Role It Plays, Brian T. Kuhle

Graduate Research Papers

The profession of administration is no simple task. The weight of any decision can be a difficult one. As the corporate executive of any major company, the greatest loss is money. A building administrator in a school system risks not only the financial ruin of the school, but the failed education of a child whose future is dependent upon it. The difficulty involved in the career is evident; therefore, the passion the administrator has toward seeing that every child in the building or district has an equal opportunity to reach his or her maximum academic, social, and physical potential is …

Reflections On Culture, Change, And Service In Educational Leadership, Jonathan J. Dennis

Graduate Research Papers

Educating a child is an overwhelming job that is impossible to do alone. School leaders must develop and nurture a well-articulated vision of success, demonstrate outstanding collaboration with all stakeholders, and model heroically ethical behavior to students and staff. School leaders use reflective practice to become change agents and to create a culture of learning for students and staff.

Leading From Within : A Reflective Essay, John C. Mutum

Graduate Research Papers

The principal is a team member that brings a specialized skill set to the table, for the benefit of the whole team. The principal' s role is that of a leader. The principal functions as the leader of vision, climate and culture, the leader of reflective practice, the leader of change, the leader of learning, and the leader of service. In all of these areas the principal leads from within the team as a member of the team.

The Lessons And Experiences Of My Transformation Into An Educational Leader : A Reflective Essay, Kelli Kathleen Rixner

Graduate Research Papers

The descriptor for Iowa Administrator Standard I, "A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared by the school community," is the all-encompassing goal and performance· standard I have set for myself to become an effective school administrator.

Reflective Practitioner As The Leader Of Learning : A Reflective Essay, Julie A. Amendt

Graduate Research Papers

The role of the principal has changed significantly over the last twenty years. Today's principal is always multi-tasking, changing gears and changing roles over the course of a day. Leadership must come from the inside out instead of top down. To fulfill this role, an effective principal must adhere to their personal philosophy and belief of education as well as live and model with ethical consideration. Philosophy and ethics will guide specific qualities of leadership that will prove to be effective in the management of an effectively run school. The principal must be a reflective leader who can promote and …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tashona R. Marshall

Graduate Research Papers

An excellent leader understands that the life jacket of education for many of our students is often not given to students while they are out in the canoe of life. Many times schools have stood at the shore with the life saving apparatus, urging students to come to shore to access it. Yet all the while, children are sinking and drowning because no one has considered what would happen if educators dared to go out in the water and bring them in.

L.A. Butler (1997), a school principal in a poor minority school that transformed her school from a low …

A Preferred Vision For Administering High Schools : A Reflective Essay, Shane R. Knoche

Graduate Research Papers

This reflective research paper is an accumulation of my belief on education and the four elements that I believe are the most important to creating a successful school district. The four critical elements are teamwork, developing leaders, ethical decision making, and professional development.

I believe our responsibility in education is to teach all students the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in today's world. Many people in society feel that education is a state of decay. There is the perception that teachers are inept and unqualified. I believe that the majority of teachers are motivated and qualified. We need …

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

Graduate Research Papers

Being in a position of leadership is a great responsibility. Administrators are asked to fill many roles within the school culture. They make decisions that affect a large number of people, and each decision comes with its criticism. It is important for an administrator to gain the trust and respect of the staff by not asking them to do things that you would not do. Show the staff that that you want to become the best, and they will follow.

The Practices Of A Successful Educational Leader : A Reflective Essay, Christopher K. Schmit

Graduate Research Papers

Good leaders are essential to successful organizations in the business world. Similarly, good educational leaders are imperative to students' continual success in the school building and beyond. High student achievement and positive school climate are very important when school is in session, but students must continue to be successful when school is not in session. Some of the many roles that allow an educational leader to make this possible include: being a leader of reflection, educational change, continuous improvement, and service. These roles influence both teachers and students in the development of themselves, encouraging them to continually strive to be …

Exemplary Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Sarah E. Morgan

Graduate Research Papers

Maybe now more than ever, the need for strong leadership in education is necessary. Unfortunately, leadership can be masked by many other titles: director, manager, boss, dictator. None are accurate descriptions of a leader. A leader takes on the appearance of servant, peer, guide, and mentor. By serving the staff and meeting their needs--physically, professionally, and emotionally--authority is developed so that managerial techniques which instill resentment are no longer effective,nor needed, and staff will feel comfortable working with you, for you, and along side you.

A Preferred Vision For Leading Pk-12 Schools : A Reflective Essay, Derek L. Roberts

Graduate Research Papers

Ever since I can remember I have thought about furthering my education to become an administrator. There are several reasons for this and the more I thought about them, I knew it was right for me. Natural leaders are pushed into situations. My whole life I have been a leader no matter what I have been involved with or what type of job I was working in. Possessing these strong qualities that will help me in being a well rounded and respected educational leader will be very beneficial in all the different situations that can arise. My leadership skills are …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Melinda S. Dunlap

Graduate Research Papers

There are many qualities needed for a principal to be an exemplary educational leader. A leader needs to be strong in supporting parental involvement, providing meaningful staff development, attracting and retaining quality teachers, and being a leader in technology. By being strong in these four areas, a leader is off to a great start on the road to becoming "the main educational facilitator of the learning community" (Wilmore, 2002, p. 5).

What I Believe About Leadership And Education, Joseph L. Green Ii

Graduate Research Papers

The importance of being a strong educational leader and demonstrating successful practices as a reflective practitioner, leader of educational change, leader of learning for both students and teachers, and a leader of service is essential to the growth of all our country's students, and the educational systems from which they learn.

Being an educational leader encompasses every educational title and every educational position, from teacher to parent, and principal to school board member. By successfully collaborating and communicating among all stakeholders, educational leaders can guarantee that every child will succeed and develop into productive and knowledgeable citizens.

Education Must Change : A Reflective Essay, Ryan K. Riewerts

Graduate Research Papers

This paper outlines five important areas to be an effective administrator and facilitator of educational change. The first area is my belief about education and educational leadership and why I chose to enter the educational leadership field. The second focus area involves the use of reflective practices to improve myself as an educator and administrator as well as discussing the use of reflective practices for educational change. The third area discusses the role of a leader in school reform. The fourth area talks about an administrator's role as an instructional leader to both the students in their school as well …

A Preferred Vision For Leading Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Brian J. Downing

Graduate Research Papers

The role of administrator, when done successfully, is a difficult and multifaceted one. It involves fulfilling many different duties with many different groups simultaneously. Educational leadership is a balancing act of the day-today and the unexpected emergencies, of the mundane and the exceptional, of management and progress. This task would be difficult to accomplish by a team of professionals, let alone by one person. We all have our talents and abilities in certain of these areas but a successful administrator needs to be competent in all of them and be able to balance them effectively.