Educational Leadership Commons^™

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Leona M. Mccall

Graduate Research Papers

In this paper I will discuss my educational beliefs, and how the current literature supports my vision for the future of education. Through my discourse I plan to affirm my mission for student achievement. As I proceed, it is my intent to convey what I believe to be essential for me as a leader of learning for the campus community. I will also express my views of the principal as change agent, along with my beliefs about service learning. As I culminate my educational beliefs, I will focus on how the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL) apply to the …

A Vision For School Leadership : A Reflective Essay, Tamela J. Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

The intent of this essay is to develop a broader perspective of the impact that leadership has on the bottom line, student achievement. It is the responsibility of educational leaders to enable stakeholders to clarify priorities and develop plans to achieve that ultimate goal, an upward trend in achievement for all students. As members of the administrative and school leadership teams, the principals will continue to develop an ongoing process of looking around the comer, asking if what is happening in the educational environment is making a difference, and remember that perception is reality.

A Voice For Our Children : What I Believe About Leadership And Education, Angela J. Noel

Graduate Research Papers

Leadership in education will be a challenging job. The leader of a school must maintain a level of self-awareness in order to run an effective building. This level of awareness must continuously reflect upon, "Have I raised student achievement?" and "Have I created a successful educational experience for my students?" Educational leaders also need to create culture, manage the daily operations of the school, collaborate with families and community members, act with integrity and fairness, and be knowledgeable of political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Christopher J. Robertson

Graduate Research Papers

Educational administration is an extremely complex profession, which offers many opportunities and challenges. I am intrigued at the complexity of issues that administrators are faced with on a daily basis. The most complete field of study could not possibly prepare a person for every situation that will arise. School leaders of today have an awesome responsibility. Leadership is a key component of being an effective administrator. Leadership is a difficult concept to define and there are many definitions. Leadership is the ability to take someone where they could not and would not go alone.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Lisa L. Goedken

Graduate Research Papers

An effective leader for educational change must recognize that change is a process, not a destination, and be able to instill continuing leadership in others. The leader must first be able to develop a leadership team through which responsibilities can be distributed. Second, the leader must recognize what type of change is necessary. With those factors identified, it is the leader's responsibility to identify the magnitude of the work to be accomplished, what level of change must occur, and to then adjust their management style accordingly.

Throughout the process, the leader must work to develop the leadership abilities of those …

A Preferred Vision For Administering Elementary Schools : A Reflective Essay, Diane Pick-Harrington

Graduate Research Papers

I believe the six Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards are like puzzle pieces; without all the pieces, the puzzle is incomplete. My vision as an administrator is to have a balance of the six standards. Each standard plays an important role and should be present for all administrators to be effective. I foresee myself constantly reviewing these standards as an administrator. I will make every effort to implement the six standards so all children can and will learn.

I will promote student learning and staff professional growth in a safe and efficient environment. I believe in involving families and …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Nicholas A. Proud

Graduate Research Papers

Being a quality educational leader takes a great deal of time, effort, and experience, but it is a task that can be done successfully. The leader needs to be a reflective thinker, a leader of learning, a leader of change, and a service-minded individual. To perform and lead of all of these aspects effectively the leader must create positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and outside community patrons. Building positive relationships throughout the school community is essential. To assist others in reflection, to help people believe in the learning that is presented, and for everyone to trust you enough for …

An Administrator's Look At Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Mark Musker

Graduate Research Papers

My goal in education is obvious: students will develop their own presence of learning. The positive experience they have in school will help them grow into world-class learners. As an educator I empower my students, for at least one day, to know that this is their day to be special. Then I repeat that process for all of them the next day, the next month, and the following years.

Leadership is easy to talk about but difficult to implement. A leader does not solve other people's problems for them. I do believe that a problem will no longer exist, if …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Jerry L. Nelson

Graduate Research Papers

Educational leadership means doing the right thing for the people we serve. It means being committed to the education of all the students. An educational leader needs to be a committed soul, passionate about creating success in the lives of every student. This is not an 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or August to May commitment, it is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year position.

As an educator, this should be a career-long commitment. To help stay committed,an educational leader needs to develop core values that help one stay focused on the task …

A Reflective Practitioner As A Leader Of Learning, Change And Service : A Reflective Essay, Leshane O. Saddler

Graduate Research Papers

Learning must be modeled by all leaders. Learning may not be enough; there must be a love for learning that is modeled to all. As a parent of two elementary students my passion for knowledge is demonstrated on a daily basis. Reading nightly for one to two hours and spending Saturdays at the public library instead of the ball park are two examples that I model for my children. As a leader of learning, the building principal or district administrator, there should be a greater understanding that the teachers that are under your administration; view you as that parent. Leaders …

A Commitment To Excellence In Educational Leadership: A Reflective Essay, Michelle A. Hunt

Graduate Research Papers

The role of a principal is an overwhelming one – many faceted, imbued with great responsibility and strict accountability. I know the perfect principal does not exist. The "perfect" robotic leader would have little, if any, positive impact on her learning community. There are, however, some very human characteristics that, if practiced, would positively contribute to the community's educational success.

These practices and values are set forth in this reflective essay. I am confident that those who share my vision – that every human being matters and makes a contribution to the entire learning community – will experience the joy …

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Julie A. Bride

Graduate Research Papers

Exemplary educational leadership requires mastery of many essential skills. In order for a principal to be an effective instructional leader, one must support the success of all students by nurturing an environment based upon the school's developed vision. An instructional leader believes in, values, and is committed to the fact that all students have the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become successful adults. Each student is an individual with unique needs. An educational leader must be a proactive advocate for the needs of all children.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education, Jay Meier

Graduate Research Papers

The leader's role is spelled out very well in Iowa's Standards for School Leaders (ISSL, 2007). The Standards specifically describe a visionary leader (Standard one), an instructional leader (Standard two), an organizational leader (Standard three), a collaborative leader (Standard four), an ethical leader (Standard five), and a political leader (Standard six). These six standards set the tone for what is expected from a principal in a leadership role.

A Preferred Vision For Leading High Schools : A Reflective Essay, Troy M. Osterhaus

Graduate Research Papers

In order to maintain our great educational system in America, it takes great school leaders. The school principal plays the most important role in the success of a school. A school leader is responsible for the management of the organization, operations, and resources. A school principal has now taken on a new role with the increased focus on accountability and student success. The principal is responsible for monitoring the improvement and success of all students. The school leader is the voice of the school and it's important to be visible around the community at businesses, churches, clubs, and organizations.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education : A Reflective Essay, Angela C. Fogle

Graduate Research Papers

Leadership in 21st century education will become one of the most important cultural necessities, if education is to serve our society appropriately and move it forward to adjust to the challenges of the future. Leaders in education must be prepared to embrace new and challenging roles that will guide educational leadership into the future. Those roles will include: instructional leadership, organizational leadership, ethical leadership, visionary leadership, and collaborative leadership. As the educational leaders of the future move to incorporate these leadership styles into practice, education will be able to move forward in a positive and successful direction.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education, Adam R. Booth

Graduate Research Papers

Every administrator at every school is different and every administrator has a different vision for their future. It is our job as educators to lead each student down the correct path. If one student's goal is to go straight to the work force after graduation, we as educators need to do everything we can for him/her to make sure he/she has the skills to be prepared. The same is true for the college bound student.

Successful leaders are those who have a vision of where their school needs to go. If a school did not have a vision, it would …

Self-Injury And The School Counselor, Carla J. Wosoba

Graduate Research Papers

Self-injury is an issue that has increasingly attracted the attention of school counselors in recent years. School counselors have daily contact with students and are thus an important resource for working with adolescents who self-injure. This paper provides an overview of self-injury including demographics and risk factors, followed by ethical considerations for school counselors such as confidentiality, professional competence, and referral. The school counselor's role is addressed, providing suggestions for assessment, prevention, and interventions for use with students who self-injure.

What I Believe About Leadership And Education: A Reflective Essay, Mary Yamoah

Graduate Research Papers

Reflection, change, linking curriculum to instruction, and service are a four of the most important criterion for educational leaders to understand in order to become strong leaders. Throughout the course of this paper, I will evaluate each component and through the process gain better knowledge on each. Through evaluation of these four topics along with the seven standards will facilitate learning that is life-long.

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 …

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, …

Keys To Effective Leadership: The Principal's Role - A Reflective Essay, Amy R. Sulzbach

Graduate Research Papers

In the ever-changing field of education, the role of a principal is constantly evolving. An effective principal, has a clear vision to lead her school into the future. The ultimate goal of every administrator must be to help each student within the school achieve their potential, and gain success. They must be willing to collaborate with families, staff members, and the community to make their vision a reality. They must set examples through integrity and fairness, and utilize all available resources to help achieve these goals. I believe that a truly effective principal must be a leader of learning, a …

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.

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.