Educational Leadership Commons^™

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Irvin Laube

Graduate Research Papers

The opportunity to be the leader of a school district and a role model in the community is very exciting. There will be so many lives I will have the opportunity to touch. I eagerly await the chance to make new friends and develop a good rapport with the members of the community. To help accomplish this, I will attempt to answer the three questions which are asked in every relationship: "Do you really care about me personally? Can I trust you? Do you know what you are talking about?"

The staff, parents, students, and community must see me as …

Leading A Middle School Into The 21st Century : A Reflective Essay, Jeffrey A. Barry

Graduate Research Papers

It needs to be stressed that a middle school ought to be regarded as a general education school. This means that the curriculum should not be limited. "The middle school should deal with widely shared concerns of early adolescents and the world they live in, rather than the narrow interests of academic or vocational specialization." I strongly believe that every community has much to offer in regards to helping teach the youth of the community. A curriculum for a middle school needs to be developed around this thinking. "Teachers need to emphasize the strengths and interests of each student in …

A Personal Vision For Quality Leadership In Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Rebecca S. Love

Graduate Research Papers

It is my belief that the future lies in our children. It is our mission as educators to help guide children to become citizens of the 21st century who appreciate and understand themselves and others, are life-long learners, are globally oriented, and are skilled in creative and critical thinking. Five areas stand out as the benchmarks of an effective administrator. Those five areas being: a clear and well defined vision; leadership style; supervision of curriculum and instruction; school climate; and school and community relations. It is these five areas that will be the focus of my reflective essay.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Anthony F. Dehl

Graduate Research Papers

The education system in the United States is changing rapidly. The role of teacher and administrators should also change. Opening the school to its community is one of the changes taking place, not just for physical use but also planning of the school's future. Part of this change should include more, and better training for our teachers. As part of this training, teachers need to develop technology skills to share with all students. Communication is an important part of this change as we become a globally competitive workforce. Planning for our future will take a cooperative action from members of …

A Vision Of Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Mary Elizabeth Bladt (Klein)

Graduate Research Papers

My interest in the field of education was sparked before I entered kindergarten. My mom was a teacher and I had two high school-aged siblings planning to enter the educational field. These three individuals greatly influenced my desire to enter the educational profession. By the age of eight, I had decided that I was going to make a difference in the lives of children and to right all of the wrongs that I had heard about from various family conversations. My maturity and experiences have allowed me to reflect upon the roles of leadership.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Curtis P. Nielsen

Graduate Research Papers

Effective principals have command of seven themes. They are: 1. A value in building trustworthiness between leadership and the staff. 2. A strong belief in the value of integrity. 3. A belief in developing a shared vision to build a strong school community. 4. A belief in having others participate in decision making. 5. A talent for and belief in clear communication within a learning community. 6. A belief in, collaborative goal setting and personal performance reflection to guide the school toward a shared vision. 7. A belief that ethical behavior strengthens leadership effectiveness. Throughout this paper I will describe …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Steven D. Goodall

Graduate Research Papers

The role of an educational leader is constantly changing. The techniques of top-down leadership in schools today seem to have outlived their effectiveness. Bonstingl (1992), suggests that the Industrial Model (established by Frederick Winslow Taylor), in which management worries about quotas and quality while subservient workers fulfilled management's request without questioning the overall plan involved in process, has stagnated school effectiveness and proven to be a barrier to school reform. In order for leadership to be effective in today's society it is essential that a paradigm shift is made from top-down strategies to strategies which involve more collaboration between the …

Issue Area One: How Do We Collaboratively Help The Community Realize Potential Strengths Of Diversity In A Democracy?, Pam Hays

Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series

Two key efforts are needed to help the community realize the many strengths which diversity can bring. First, a long-range strategic plan must be developed, and second, actions must be taken to help develop educated, responsible citizens who are empowered to participate effectively in a culturally pluralistic society. The strategic plan must have several characteristics, including the following.

Opinions About Cultural Diversity - Post Script, A. Miller Roskamp

Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series

This has been my first experience working with persons involved with "Cultural Diversity" and I came away from the working conference with less enthusiasm to make a change, than when I entered the dialogue.

Issue Area Four: How Does Understanding Our Ethnicity Impact Our Perceptions Of Others And How Do We Change Negative Expectations To Orient All People To Success?, Arlis Swartzendruber, Media Moore

Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series

The goals of the issue area group were to: (a) identify, define, and prioritize critical issues within the broader issue area; (b) explore options for resolution of high priority critical issues; and (c) reach consensus on recommendations which will assist the communities and University in ensuring equality.

Appreciating Our Similarities, Interconnectedness, Nancy Erickson

Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series

To develop a global perspective of our interconnectedness we must first understand why we choose to discriminate and emphasize our differences instead of identifying and embracing our similarities.

Most discrimination evolves from fear -- fear of the unknowns, fear of someone who "looks different," fear of someone with whom we cannot easily communicate, fear of loss, fear of a group" complete with preconceived characteristics. Coming from a basis of fear versus a basis of love leaves us feeling threatened and defensive.

Another reason we discriminate is a desire to dominate. We want to think of ourselves as better than, stronger …

Historical Development And Advancement Of Cultural Diversity In The Cedar Falls/Waterloo Metropolitan Area: An Iowa Sesquicentennial University/Community Seminar [Complete Monograph]

Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series

No abstract provided.

Cover - Front Matter - Table Of Contents

Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series

No abstract provided.

A Vision For Leading Effective Schools : A Reflective Essay, Jennifer L. Hartman

Graduate Research Papers

We will face many challenges in the year 2000 and beyond - societal issues, economic issues, educational issues. The school in which I work will strive to promote leadership in all teachers, form a community of lifelong learners, and evaluate and grow professionally together. It is not my goal to manage with a top-down approach. It is my vision that I will lead the school community into exceptional instruction and learning. Leadership strengths will flow from a shared vision, values, and personal reflection. I do believe that by following these three tenets, I will lead the kids of today into …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary And Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Kellie A. Peterson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper discusses reform in our schools today. It contains opposing views of change, national standards, career-oriented reform, the school as a "home within a school", kindergarten-like atmospheres, market-based initiatives, school employee reform, philosophical models, and the pitfalls of reformation. The paper closes with my own comments.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Elizabeth M. Calhoun

Graduate Research Papers

The principal is the first teacher of the school, the instructional leader of the learning place. He / she has the professional responsibility to bring into action a new form of leadership. The role of principal is essential for creating a school where learning is the center of student experience, and learning how to cause learning will be the central mission of the staff. The principal will need to create communication, decision making, and management approaches which make this kind of learning place possible. Hill (1992) said ''teachers must be selected who have a talent for leading professional peers and …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Mary L. Boehmer

Graduate Research Papers

Administrators need to continue learning and growing to be effective. Technology, school laws and mandates, the students and community themselves are rapidly changing. Our society is always talking about school reform. Reform from what? To what?

Administrators need direction and vision. We cannot get where we want to go if we have no idea where we want to be. On our journey we cross the paths of many, many people. How we treat them and help with their needs will be remembered for a long time.

Our schools need to look ahead. The classes I have had have shown me …

Children Of Divorce : Implication To Teaching, Lisa Timmerman

Graduate Research Papers

Each day nearly 2,989 children experience a divorce within their families (Parker, 1994). Within the last several decades, the incidence of divorce within the United States has risen dramatically. The trend is that nearly half of all marriages will end in divorce (O'Leary & Smith, 1991). In fact, it is expected that at least 40% of all children will spend some part of their lives in a single parent household (Garvin, Leber, & Kalter, 1991). It is also estimated that over 90% of these children will reside with their mothers (Diamond, 1985; Kalter, 1990). 1 In this paper, the ·author …

A Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Denise R. Aalderks

Graduate Research Papers

When I first entered the administration program, I remember thinking that when I finished classes, I would be prepared to become a successful administrator with the wealth of knowledge I had gained. As the time draws nearer, I see that experience, talking to other professionals, and the knowledge that has been afforded me, all balance out as guides for the near future. The knowledge I will have gained from this program will be only a part of my knowledge base. By this I mean, it is important that one does not see oneself as having all of the answers, but …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Douglas B. Jiskoot

Graduate Research Papers

This is an exciting time for education. Education has come to the forefront at the national level with President Clinton giving a full twenty minutes to education in his latest State of the Union address, more than any other president in history. I see parents wanting to do more and become more involved in their children's education.

Innovations in technology are making it more exciting to teach and to engage young minds to their fullest potential. Ownership in the school is returning back to the original owners, parents, teachers and most importantly, the students. Schools are no longer "run" by …

Reflections On A Vision For School Leadership, Thomas J. Neuhaus

Graduate Research Papers

When I reflect upon my vision for leading a school, I see a holistic nature to the areas of climate, shared decision making, community collaboration, and educational programming. These areas overlap one another as they provide the foundation on which I will lead. Community collaboration involves shared decision making, and shared decision making impacts climate. Educational programming, as I have described it, involves all of these areas. I feel what connects everything are the principles of relationships, resources, and relevancy. I believe the keys to success as a leader will be dependent upon the ability to create and nurture relationships, …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Lisa C. Loecher

Graduate Research Papers

Society will continue to change, and schools will have to meet the challenges of those changes. To meet these challenges, it will be vital to keep abreast of innovations and current trends in education. Motivating teachers to examine and reflect upon their teaching, and empowering them to implement their ideas and programs will be keys to a successful school.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Schools : A Reflective Essay, Vicki Mueller

Graduate Research Papers

Just as the role of the school is changing to fit the needs of our students and society, the role of the school administrator is changing to meet the needs of the school. The school administrator should be viewed as important liaison between the school and the community. More and more, their role is proactive as opposed to reactive, as it appears to have been years ago. If an administrator takes the time to make contacts and build relationships, the loyalty and commitment by students, parents, staff and community will help to assure success and prosperity for all.

Where Am I Going? Where Have I Been?, Teresa R. Coenen

Graduate Research Papers

The task of writing a reflective essay is to describe my educational philosophy and beliefs, how they were framed and formed, and how I hope to apply them in future applications. In order to understand my goals, one must first look at the path that has lead me to these goals. Before I can truly understand where I am going, I must first review where I have been. I have never – not even for one minute – regretted my decision to become an educator. In the last seven years, I have never wished to skip a single day of …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Joyce M. Bechtel

Graduate Research Papers

The term instructional leader encompasses many aspects. The instructional portion includes the knowledge base, the master teacher, the evaluator, the mediator, and the communicator with parents, community and teachers. The leader portion includes the perceptive director, the goal directed visionary, and the organizer with enthusiasm and energy.

Teachers depend on the principal to assist them in gaining instructional skills and utilizing curricular material that is necessary to teach effectively. The principal should be their master teacher and evaluator. As an evaluator, a principal will confer with and provide feedback to the staff, and will evaluate the education programs.

A Vision For The Administration Of A Secondary School : A Reflective Essay, Steve E. Dodge

Graduate Research Papers

In order to keep a school running smoothly today administrators must be able to perform a wide variety of jobs effectively. The key role that any principal must play is that of a leader. The ability to lead determines how effective an administrator will be in carrying out all of the other roles. The leadership of a school's instructional program is an area in which the principal has perhaps the greatest potential to influence the largest number of people. Through this role one impacts all programs of the school.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary/Secondary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Brad E. Small

Graduate Research Papers

The success and future of our nation, if not the entire world, depends on educating our children. For this reason, I have decided to seek anew career in educational administration after serving as a teacher and coach for.the past twelve years.

As the building principal, you lead by example. What the principal does on a regular basis overtime, becomes the most important aspect of the school (D. Else, Personal. Communication, 1997). I really understood the power of that statement. When looking back at my former principals, I can see how their actions helped or hindered their leadership. Students and.staff will …

Community Needs To Remove Rose-Tinted Glasses To Examine Ethnicity, Create Environments For Success, Scharron Clayton

Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series

The purpose of this paper is to briefly explore the topic of ethnicity as it relates to successful living within a community. In light of the work of historians such as Schlesinger 1993), and contemporary pieces by Desouza (1995), and Herrnstein and Murray (1994), this is timely. I can recall a conversation with a local CEO who was convinced that the "American Identity" was being threatened by any focus on ethnicity and difference. His fear of the changing fabric of society, forced him to embrace a position which would cling to the past systems of domination by promoting a "we're …

Alternative Conceptions Of A Structure For Interconnectedness, Carmen Montecinos

Institute for Educational Leadership Monograph Series

Before we can help others "understand our interconnectedness," we ourselves must be aware of the social, political, and economic structure of the network(s) we seek to build. Following a framework developed by Riane Eisler and David Loye (1990), two contrasting understandings of the "world order" entailed in the construction of global interconnectedness will be outlined. The first approach involves a hierarchical structure, and the second approach involves an egalitarian partnership. These two models involve radically different assumptions, social practices, and consequences.

People who understand global interconnectedness from these approaches mean something quite different when they say "One is the only …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Secondary Schools: A Reflective Essay, Brent Winterhof

Graduate Research Papers

Schools are the best place to work. There are daily changes and activities from 6:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. Each year is a fresh start for everyone. Knowledge about teaching and learning is increasing constantly. The curiosity and youthful exuberance of the young people make everyday a challenge. In the big picture of life, these are reasons that I went into education and want to continue.