Educational Leadership Commons^™

A Clear V.O.I.C.E. : A Reflective Essay, Kimberly S. Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

A leader can be defined in numerous ways and have endless synonyms: head honcho, boss, chief, master, etc. "Critically, the leader has come to replace the hero, and leadership, heroism." (The Drucker Foundation [DF], 1996, p. 72) Similarly, a leader can affect people through a variety of methods and achieve immeasurable results. The evolution of a leader is an endless cycle, fulfilling the needs.of the situation or the fitting to developing relationships.

The ability to reflect is a daily, sometimes hourly task in order for growth to take place. Three major themes emanate including, (1) personal values, beliefs and philosophies, …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Jeffrey N. Novotny

Graduate Research Papers

Principals are leaders who must use their personal characteristics, morals, ethics and knowledge to successfully lead their staff and community. When a principal develops and understands his personal qualities and applies them. his school will have the leadership component necessary for success. This paper is my attempt to learn about myself through reflection and education. It is a compilation of my beliefs on leadership, schooling, education, others and myself--all of which will guide me when I become a school administrator.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Christopher R. Lopez

Graduate Research Papers

Educational leadership was the goal that I set for myself when I began the Educational Leadership Program. That will continue to be part of my future goals as long as I am in the world of education. Along the way in this program I have had to answer the questions of my peers as well as the questions I had for myself. It is only after all the questions have been answered with confidence and knowledge that the goal will be met.

I look forward to the challenge and I am excited about the prospects ahead. There is so much …

A Preferred Vision For Administering High Schools : A Reflective Essay, Gregg Eschweiler

Graduate Research Papers

Without an educated population, this nation would not be as strong as it is, nor will it be as strong as it could be. We still have a strong educational focus in the state of Iowa which lends us to believe that we can stand alone. That might not be the case in the future. Our state, communities, school districts, parents, teachers and students must keep striving to be the best and not rest on its laurels. We can not afford to let a generation of our youth slip, while we entertain a policy of isolation. I believe that the …

My Vision For Becoming A Secondary Level Educational Administrator : A Reflective Essay, Camelle C. Kinney

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to discuss my beliefs about being a secondary administrator. The focus of this paper is to gain a personal understanding of what a secondary administrator is and does, based on various readings, discussions, practicum experiences as well as journaling activities.

Reflections On The Roles And Values Of Educational Leaders : A Reflective Essay, Scott Schipper

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on my personal, philosophical perspective on education, the purpose of school, and my values and beliefs relative to educational leadership. I think it is valuable for educational leaders to reflect upon their philosophies of education. It serves as a reminder to them of why they are in education and how they go about obtaining their own personal goals. These beliefs that I will be sharing have been formulated over my years of teaching and from my experiences throughout this leadership program.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary And Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, James D. Moeller

Graduate Research Papers

There was a time the school principal's job was clear and relatively simple - not easy, but simple. Everyone understood the role of the principal. That is no longer the case.

In today's society, the public education system in America is one that is fraught with dissension, politics and numerous other variables. Leaders and managers in the public sector are under far greater scrutiny than those in the public sector and the school principal is one position that is frequently caught in a maelstrom.

This essay will explore the literature to identify the numerous characteristics, knowledge and skills that are …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Brian L. Ortman

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of education is to prepare students for a life filled with decisions. Therefore, it is the duty of schools to provide students with opportunities to develop the skills needed to make these decisions. Obviously, students attend school to receive an education, but educators cannot stop there, they must also help students to grow socially.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tonya Englund-Wilkins

Graduate Research Papers

As a principal; the ship should sail toward the direction of becoming a learning community. The community needs to sense the impact schools play on their lives and their future. They also need to find their role when helping to man the ship. After all, the only path to greater academic achievement is the one open to all in which students and teachers travel daily together. If the map is clearly defined and the course is set, collaborative schools can weather any storm.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Barry Jones

Graduate Research Papers

A principal must be an effective communicator and a motivator of students and faculty. A school principal must be a creative and innovative thinker that embraces the challenges of complex school decisions. The principal serves multiple roles as an educator, manager, and leader of the learning community who builds a vision that all stakeholders work together in making possible.

Perhaps the most important characteristic of a principal is being flexible. An effective principal is never completely satisfied and always strives for making things better. Continually monitoring and assessing best instructional practices, school testing data, and educational research, helps a principal …

Administrator Leadership Of Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, David W. Griffin

Graduate Research Papers

The multiple tasks of principals are a dynamic undertaking of responsibilities and expectations. It is crucial we increase the value of today's society and acquire resources needed to nourish our youth and provide them with the tools needed to become successful in the future. The principal plays a key role in identifying what is needed in order to make his or her building most effective.

In a day when so much energy seems to be spent on maintenance and manuals, to be a leader means having the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around you. …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Rex C. Kozak

Graduate Research Papers

Teachers and principals need to work cooperatively to evaluate programs and make suggestions for the betterment of the students. The principal needs to involve the faculty, parents, community, and businesses to help develop a long-lasting relationship between the school and the outside world. Above all, it is the absolutely necessary for administrators to cultivate trust, confidence, integrity, and moral responsibility within the school. If I can create opportunities for educators to feel good about themselves, they will pass this feeling on to students and then into the community. By embracing these components of effective leadership, effective schools will result.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Shelly A. Petersen

Graduate Research Papers

The principal of the 21st century must be able to balance many activities to meet the needs of all constituents. In creating an environment that meets the needs of all, the principal must focus in on six essential concepts: 1) creating a team approach, 2) building a shared vision through communication, 3) facilitating change, 4) managing time, 5) creating climate, and 6) improving instruction. I am convinced that if a principal focuses attention on these six concepts he/she can create a vision within the school that centers its attention on student achievement. When an administrator does so a vision to …

Defining A Leader : Administration At The Secondary Level : A Reflective Essay, Amy Ann Hamilton Kangas

Graduate Research Papers

To teach students and know that you are affecting their future and possibly the future of the world is a daunting fact. To choose to be an administrator further commits oneself to the lifelong challenge of learning, teaching and facilitating an educational opportunity that will benefit students. To be a school administrator is to make a courageous decision. To be effective as a school administrator requires a strong leader who is able to build consensus among teachers; seek input from the community; and promote the trends that may reach students who are in danger of slipping through the cracks.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Laura K. Lawrence

Graduate Research Papers

Principals need to look into the future and make changes that are needed to fit the needs and development of tomorrow's student. It is also important that principals remember to build a school community that continues to grow and not stay stagnant. The vision of a school is a continuous process that is built on dreams of the principal, staff, students, and people in the learning community. This process cannot stop. "Most important is that the leader continue not only to believe in the dream and the need to pursue it, but also to do the hard brain work of …

Planning And Managing School Facilities, Theodore J. Kowalski

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

Nearly half of the nation's school buildings need to be renovated or replaced. This book provides a knowledge base for administrators to plan and manage construction projects, and addresses specific planning tasks including public opinion polling, enrollment projections, financial planning, selecting architects and other professionals, and managing facilities once they are operational.

Theodore Kowalski addresses the administrative procedures associated with planning and managing school facilities. As noted at the outset, practitioner interest in school facilities has been growing rapidly in recent years because decades of neglect, poor planning, and cost cutting have created a situation in which large numbers of …

Sustainable Results In Urban Middle Schools: How Principals Use Systems Thinking To Lead Effective Change, Peggy H. Burke

Educational Studies Dissertations

This study presents the stories of four urban middle school principals engaged in reform that is grounded on the core principle that every early adolescent has the capacity for high-level intellectual development. Data collected over two years through formal interviews and informal conversations with principals and teachers, school and district surveys and reports, student test data, and personal observations were analyzed from a systems thinking theoretical framework to assess each principal's ability to implement reform that produced sustainable results. A systems thinking framework articulates the importance of a leader's ability to: 1) conceptualize the whole and recognize patterns; 2) aspire …

A Reflective Essay About Philosophy Of Education, James Dostal

Graduate Research Papers

People are the essence of education. In the education and athletic professions people were and are the source of my ideas about leadership qualities. Educational leadership is significant to the organization of schools as well as school districts. This writing will reflect on qualities of leaders and my philosophy of leadership.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Tony R. Hiatt

Graduate Research Papers

Each day, various sources of input develop innovative ideas that could have a positive impact on education, and it is vital that all professional members of education listen to the ideas that are produced and reflect on them. Educators make these contributions by keeping an open mind and maximizing opportunities for children to grow socially and academically through positive experiences during their lives.

In education, we are preparing young people to practice life skills effectively in order to make a community a safe, pleasant place for everybody to live. As an administrator, I hope to serve as an educational leader …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Brad Bridgewater

Graduate Research Papers

Caring is the first trait exhibited by almost every great leader. It may sound like a very soft touchy-feely thing, but it works.The second trait of great leaders, or those who get others to excel, is Integrity. In other words, they can be trusted to tell the truth. They tell the truth in good times and bad, and they tell the truth whether or not it makes them look good or bad.

Finally, great leaders who get others to excel have high expectations. They don't let people get by with mediocrity. No one can really feel good about themselves when …

A Study Of The Multiple Perspective Approach To Leadership Used By Elementary And Secondary Public School Principals In Urban Iowa, Tracy E. Johns

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Based on the writings and research of Dr. L. G. Bolman and Dr. T. E. Deal, this study sought to assess the leadership practices, preferences, preparedness, and performance of public school principals in urban Iowa. Specifically, were the principals in Iowa's eight largest districts making use of a multiple perspective approach to leadership? In what areas did they appear to feel most competent? And, in what areas did the principals in this study appear to feel most inadequate?

Bolman and Deal's Leadership Orientations ( Self ) Survey (1990) was distributed to 240 elementary and secondary principals working within the Urban …

The Critical Components Of A School-College Partnership Formed To Reduce The Enrollment In Remedial Courses In Mathematics Of Incoming Freshman, Marcella Lavoi Melby

Mathematics Graduate Theses

"A Research paper submitted to the Faculty of the Department of Mathematics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Education, Mathematics."

Personal Perspective On Education, David W. Denhartog

Graduate Research Papers

In order to meet the challenges of educational administration, effective leaders must understand the culture of the school, model a passion for excellence, empower the stake holders, have a sense of commitment to a shared vision, and look to the future acting with integrity that heightens the value of character. Being an administrator or manager is not enough. Today's school leaders are shouldered with unending responsibilities that challenge their abilities every day. By utilizing multiple forms of leadership along with empowerment the tasks and goals set by our society can be accomplished.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Kurt A. Hempen

Graduate Research Papers

The chief purpose of this paper is to discuss the components of six leadership styles: autocratic, transactional, transformational, situational, expert thinking, and value-added. Throughout this paper, my objective is to identify the six styles and compare how each can be used in school administration. Finally, I will discuss my growth in school leadership along with plans for future improvements.

A Vision And Philosophy For Educational Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Brad J. Jacobs

Graduate Research Papers

The leadership position includes many roles and responsibilities that are essential to the growth and success of a positive learning environment. Encouraging participation and drawing from the expertise of individuals within the community will enhance the learning community. The involvement of others in the decision-making, the creating of goals, and obtaining a vision will strengthen the sense of pride in the school and in the community.

A leader needs to make clear the expectations and roles of individuals along with listening to what others are saying. Strong communications skills will play a vital role in all of the aspects discussed …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Debrah J. Fordice

Graduate Research Papers

The desire to have beauty around me translates to the development of climate as a school leader. It is important for the physical surroundings to make the school family (staff, administration, parents, community members, and students) feel comfortable and at home. Efficient and tasteful use of space help create an environment that produces a feeling of security, and therefore enhances learning. The values of love, family, and beauty all tie together to the creation of a healthy climate in an educational setting.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Michael J. Herdliska

Graduate Research Papers

A visionary leader must have an awareness of the past, a feel for the present and a clear picture of the future. Perhaps the greatest skill that tomorrow's educational leader can possess is the ability to enact change. While many people fear change, Spencer Johnson (1998) clearly, and humorously, illustrates the importance of accepting change through Who Moved My Cheese? While the author warns, "If you do not change, you can become extinct" (p.46), he also suggests smelling the cheese (your current situation) often, "so you know when it is getting old (and change is needed)" (p.52). I prefer looking …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Schools : A Reflective Essay, Carol M. Knoll

Graduate Research Papers

The most important assignment of the effective school leader is being responsible for establishing and maintaining a climate conducive to academic learning and achievement by the students. An effective school climate, which is promoted by the principal, includes: (a) setting academic achievement as the primary goal of the school; (b) ensuring that all members of the school community understand the importance of good teaching; (c) reducing the intrusions and disruptions in a school; (d) developing a good follow-up system for students who are tardy, absent, or disruptive; (e) being consistent in enforcing the rules, regulations and policies of the school; …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Ronald D. Morlan

Graduate Research Papers

Effective administrators must be committed to continually growing professionally. They must hone communication skills that will reflect honesty and clarity. Honesty and clarity in communicating will help facilitate strong relationships. Administrators must approach conflict in a healthy, caring way. They must have passion and vision so that they can lead and influence those around them into shared values and vision. Effective administrators must continually reflect on their own core and basic values, and evaluate how their actions and behavior line up with those values.

Finally, any educational leader must have a heart for kids. They must always remember why they …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Terrie L. Price

Graduate Research Papers

My personal philosophy of education is centered on what is best for students and their academic achievement. Kids are #1! My vision is that all people who come in contact with children have the responsibility to help them on a journey to be caring, respectful, life-long learners who are productive citizens of today and tomorrow. Schools should create a safe, comfortable, clean learning environment filled with a palette of eclectic teaching and learning strategies where technology is emphasized and naturally integrated.