I believe that leadership is a collaborative process. We are all learners. As educators and leaders, we are stronger together. We are all working towards the common goal of doing what’s best for kids. I believe that when you are truly an effective leader, you empower others. “Leaders don't create followers; they create more leaders” (Peters, 2005). Developing leadership in others is looking first at an individual’s strengths before focusing on helping them develop in areas of growth. Focusing on elevating teachers strengths will allow teachers to feel like they need to improve, not because they aren’t good enough, but because we are all constantly working towards bettering our practice.
I am a firm believer relationships and a positive school culture is everything. When an educator or student feels that they are valued, and that their voice truly matters; they begin to take ownership over their learning. When you ignite that sense of empowerment, they become motivated to self-direct their own learning and strive for something better. “Our job sometimes is to simply be the spark, help build confidence, and then get out of the way” (Couros, 2015). Creating a culture of trust where everyone is a transparent learner will cultivate an environment where all stakeholders feel comfortable in taking risks and embracing change.
