What is Educational Leadership ?

[Barry Lane]

What makes a "real' educational leader?

[Gaetan Pappalardo]

A real educational leader can step into my classroom and teach a lesson.

[Janine]

A leader is someone who holds Barry Lane's "Reviser's Toolbox" while talking about being a good leader!

[Gaetan Pappalardo]

Ha!

[Elizabeth Pavone]

A real educational leader does not conform to the community, but helps create a community...

[Charlie Hollingshead]

Elizabeth, your response is absolutely at the core of educational leadership. Of course, you can't answer this question quickly or easily, and the answer will change and grow, but I think the basis for education leadership begins with the concept of a teacher who is willing to do what he or she knows will benefit kids, help them think, learn and grow, regardless of what system mandates define or quantify as good teaching. The other part of this is the responsibility on the part of said teacher to share his or her ideas, techniques, successes and failures with other teachers in an attempt to spread the truly good teaching. The goal, of course, is to positively influence as many educators as possible to influence as many students as possible. Enough of us do that and system-wide change is sure to follow. Eventually.

[Elizabeth Pavone]

Thanks, Charlie. And...it's not always easy! I am also referring to admin, and the pressures of appeasing the parental community...especially powerful people in high socio-economic/profile communities.

[Charlie Hollingshead]

That's exactly the kind of community in which I work. I find that my students' parents understand that education is more than test results. The thinking and writing opportunities I give my students make them better test-takers anyway, and will, of course, help them become more independent thinkers which helps them become better students, etc. As far as administrations go, with even the most test data driven principals I've worked for, if I get results, they trust my methods. I'd say it's harder to get old-fashioned teachers to come around than it is to get the parents to come around. No, it's not always easy. In fact, I'd say it's rarely easy. Well, it's easy to be who I am and teach how I teach, but it does get tiring trying to "right the ship" seemingly all by yourself. I've been thinking a lot lately about how best to affect meaningful change in our field. It's overwhelming, but sticking to your guns, or your writing utensil choice, is the best way.

Elizabeth Pavone said:

Thanks, Charlie. And...it's not always easy! I am also referring to admin, and the pressures of appeasing the parental community...especially powerful people in high socio-economic/profile communities.

[julie fowler]

Is that a writer's tool box in his hand?! He is the perfect educational leader...No song and dance, just the real deal. He is an idealist that can back up his behavior with the scaffolding of lifting up people versus lifting up their performance. When did test performance ever save a life or hold a hand or unchain a soul?

[julie fowler]

sorry Barry... REVISER's toolbox!

[Megan Murray]

I love this question, because I think the answer is the antithesis of what others might *think* an educational leader should be. First, I agree with whoever said an educational leader does not conform to community but creates community. AMEN! PREACH IT! Doing things the way they've always been done isn't necessarily reaching all of our students. I think an educational leader must think and work outside of the box.
Just my two cents worth ....

[Patricia Garrard]

I am inspired by all of you and what you say. I am preparing to retire after 30 years but am looking to have some fun and create an interest in writing when I move to my new home. I so agree that an educational leader creates a community of learners whether teachers or kids. I am mostly frustrated with my teachers who are frustrated with the system and have lost their enthusiasm to have fun with kids. Lets keep the faith and discover writing and fun in learning.

[Barry Lane]

Amen, Patricia.

Do you think that teachers who blame the system have a legitimate gripe or are they just allowing themselves to be told how to teach. Are they, for example, waiting for the system to tell them to have fun with kids before they will feel free to do it?

Patricia Garrard said:

I am inspired by all of you and what you say. I am preparing to retire after 30 years but am looking to have some fun and create an interest in writing when I move to my new home. I so agree that an educational leader creates a community of learners whether teachers or kids. I am mostly frustrated with my teachers who are frustrated with the system and have lost their enthusiasm to have fun with kids. Lets keep the faith and discover writing and fun in learning.