Distributive Leadership

I believe that distributive leadership is used for capacity building at my school.  Each grade level has their own grade chair who serves as the leader for the grade level.  It is this person that the administrator will talk to about needed and wanted professional development.  Distributive leadership is also used to build capacity because each area of the school has their own 'leader.'  This builds capacity because individuals in each area of the school can grow within their area of the school and within the school itself.  Distributive leadership is also used for capacity building because within each grade level or area of the school, the leader could find opportunities for growth and development within their team.  For example, my grade level could choose to meet and watch a video from our online professional development tool, PD360.  As a grade level, we can then discuss what we saw and how we can apply it to our own classrooms.

Theory of Leadership

There are many theories to leadership.  There is not one theory that is the best and should be used all of the time.  Different people may benefit from implementing different theories, depending on the person.

I believe that the theory of leadership that best suits me is Participative Leadership.  In this theory, individuals works towards a goal as a team and have a say in the decision making process.  I believe that this theory fits me because I always like to get the opinions of everyone involved before making a decision.  As the grade chair of my grade level, I always talk to my teammates and get their ideas and approval before bringing anything up to my principal.

This is beneficial to the school because the grade level becomes a true team, a single unit.  We are all on the same page.  If the principal, another teacher, or a parent came to us with a question or concern, anyone of us could give the same information because we worked as a team.  This is also beneficial if the same parent has multiple children in the same grade.  Even though the students may be in different classes, the parent would recieve the same information from the teachers because as teachers we worked together.

Power Dynamics

At my school, I believe that everyone has power in their own area of the school.  The custodians have the power and responsibility of keeping the school clean.  The cafeteria workers have the power and responsibility of making sure the kitchen is clean, breakfast and lunch are ready on time, an making sure that every student gets a nutritious meal.  Teachers and students have power and responsibility in their classrooms.  The secretaries have power and responsibility in the office and administrative aspects of the school.  The principal and assistant principal have power and responsibility over the entire school.  Part of their responsibility is making sure that all of the other individuals are preforming their duties (aka what their power is).

This information is very useful if you want to influence change.  When you want to change something, you first have to look at what is being changed and who has the power over this change.  /you would to talk to these individuals out the change and try to get to get them on your side or if hey have reasons why the change would not be good.  After you ha gotten the okay from all of the individuals whose range of powers fall under the change, you can then bring the change to your principal and/or assistant principal.  This way you can let the principal and/or assistant principal know that you have already taken these steps and adjusted the change's proposal based on these individuals' input.  By seeing that you have already done your research with all of those who will be effected, the principal and/or assistant principal will be more likely to back up your plan for change and allow it to occur.

For example, if you wanted to change what time your students came to receive their breakfast or lunch for a special day, you would want to involve the cafeteria staff as this is where their power is.  You also would want to talk to the other teachers who either normally have the same meal time as you or that your time change will put at the same meal time as you.  Once you have discussed with the cafeteria staff this change and together have come up with a plan, you can take the plan to your principal and/or assistant principal for approval.  Seeing that you have already gotten a solid plan form the cafeteria staff, the principal and/or assistant principal will be able to either approve the change or give you reasons why change is not possible at this time.

Strength-Based Leadership

There are several ways that strength-based leadership supports a community of practice.  Strength-based leadership focuses on one's strengths.  As a mentor or administrator, you want to look at the strengths of those that work under and with you.  Encourage these strengths.  Encouraging strengths will encourage people to practice their strengths, thus building the strengths even stronger.  By focusing on strengths, others will be more motivated and happier in whatever they do.  This is not to say ignore theie weaknesses.  However, if you only see weaknesses and never any positive, thosee working with you will lose motivation and will power.  People need to hear that they are doing well on something to give them a sense of accomplishment.  This will build confidence and motivation.  People will then be more willing to practice on their strengths and their weaknesses making them better all around.  As a leader, it is important to focus on the positives (strengths) while not ignoring the negatives (weaknesses).

Personal Leadership?

So you want to be a teacher leader?  That''s great!  But where do you start?  In order to be a great teacher leader of others, you first have to start with yourself.  Throughout this course I hope to learn what skills and characteristics are necessary in an effective leader.  Once I know what these characteristics are, I will be able to determine how they fit into my personality and style.  I will then be able to build on my weakness and turn them into strengths while at the same time honing my strengths.  Once I become a better leader of myself, I will be able to become a better leader of others.