This week we started to discuss four different styles of leadership and some of their characteristics. It is important to be able to demonstrate all four of these types to be an effective leader. I can see how I have used each of these in my classroom, just by what I say or how I try to motivate students. It is interesting how mostly subconscious it all is.
When we did the jigsaw I was able to read the article about ten different types of leadership roles teachers can take. I have notice that I do some of these, but others I would like to do. Being the youngest person in my department by eight years it is sometimes difficult. My department chair has children my age, so the first couple years it was difficult to find a voice as a leader outside of my own classroom. I am lucky enough to work in an amazing department. We all share a common office so there are many opportunities for me to be resource providers to each other. This actually saved me my first year teaching. Everyone was very willing to offer information, lesson plans, and assessments. I have also stepped up to be a building representative for the union, which was actually some really good advice I got from a second year teacher. She said that I had no clue what they were talking about at general membership meetings, so she ran to be a representative so she would know what is going on.
Being so young the first couple years I often felt a little underutilized. Sure I was the go to person if something needed to be chaperoned, but was rarely asked my opinion outside of my department. I might have the most technology experience out of my entire department, including but young teachers are rarely asked to be on the technology committee. We are the ones that are most recently trained in technology with the latest applications available. I am also a person who is willing to seek out information on my own, where as some teacher won't even the ones who are presented with different ways to approach curriculum. I should start to step-up more around my building because the senior staff member won't be here forever.
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1 comment:
You raise many good points! I am 41, and just approaching the point where I am not one of the youngest ones on the staff. Most of our staff is in their 40's, and a pretty progressive group. It has been a pleasure to learn from the voices of experience.
Keep doing what you are doing. The voice of experience grows rapidly. As that voice grows, you will find yourself naturally getting into leadership roles you are comfortable in, and you will naurally be successful in. As you integrate newer ideas into your teaching, others will seek your advice.
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