Leadership Philosophy

An educational leader is knowledgeable of the community, students, families and staff

that they serve. This knowledge is used to support staff member as well as create a culture and

environment that fosters the academic success of all students. Using feedback and data they

create a vision to guide and grow the organization while ensuring the safety and well being of all

members by properly managing everyday needs and protocols. By leading in a fair, just and

unbiased manner they model to their staff the values and ideals coveted. They take joy in the

success of their students and staff as the leader of a team that serves a community. If I were

selected to lead a building, I would first focus on creating positive relationships with staff

members, students and the community. Using these relationships, I will gain insight into their

history of the organization and how the staff functions within it. I would seek feedback from

stakeholders and collect of data to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the organization and

use this create a vision and/or mission for the school. I would create a collaborative culture in

the school by making myself present in the building and working with lead teachers to build a

team that can achieve success together.

Philosophy for Educators

Educators should bring a passion for learning to the classroom. They take the time to

carefully craft a learning environment that is fair, just and respectful of all students. An

exemplary teacher is aware of their student’s needs inside and outside of the classroom and use

this to build a relationship of support and trust. Learning goals are effectively communicated to
students and their families creating a team effort to success. Offer students the opportunity to

learn through discovery and to have a voice and choice in the products they create. They take

time to collect data from their students to continuously modify the execution of the curriculum to

meet all needs and learning styles while still delivering it will fidelity. As a leader of a school, I

will make my staff aware of my vision for the and how their role is vital in making it a success.

Encourage educators collaborate and share idea with the goal of strengthening the organization

as they grow as individuals. I will be observant of staff, ask questions and give critical,

purposeful, feedback when necessary to emphasis the standards they are being held to. I would

support the staff by providing them with the tools, resources and professional development

needed to be successful in the classroom. I would utilize teacher leaders and coaches to help

mentor young staff members and be a resource and guide for teachers who may be struggling in

particular areas in their classrooms.

Vision for Learners

I teacher once told me to be successful in their class I just needed to “Be here, pay

attention and try”. These expectations have lasted in my memory because they are simple, give

students their role and responsibility in the classroom and do not hinge on ability. I expect

students to try and if they do not or cannot, then it is our responsibility to work as a team of

educators and leaders to discover what obstacle is in a student’s way of learning. Students

should be engaged in authentic experiences that make connections between the skills they are

learning and the ways they can be applied to future careers and trades. Instructional strategies

should be varied in every classroom to reach all learning styles. Administration plays an

important role in promoting student achievement. They must work with their staff to create an
environment that is conducive to learning. Leaders should develop realistic goals for academic

achievement and offer the support and resources for teachers to successfully meet these goals.

Working with the district, leaders should be aware of current trends in education and technology

and bring these resources to educators to and their students in their organization.

Decision Making

One of the main reasons I have decided to further my education in leadership is that it has

been noted by others that I always make decisions based on what is best for our students. It is

important to take a moment to collect the needed information to draw a conclusion that is ethical

and often with students, equitable. One must look past their individual role as an educator or

administrator and contemplate how this decision will affect students, their family and the

organization. When making choices there will always be a person who is left disappointed or

frustrated, making the need to have well thought out decisions that are justifiable and necessary.

In a leadership role, I will continue to develop my abilities to make good decisions by knowing

my students, staff, community and the law. I understand the importance of confidentiality and

will use my education to make well informed decision on my own when needed. I will work with

stakeholders to create committees that can collect input to make decisions that the organization

can vested and use this to create transformation in the school or district. I will continue to put

students first making decisions that are best for the whole child and will further academic and

emotional growth.

Vision for the Organization

potential academically and emotionally as they are prepared to become contributing members of

society. This vision can be achieved by creating a team of educators that work together to

educate the entire child. The vision must first be articulated as being imperative and a long term

commitment of the organization. School leaders support the vision by modeling the values with

the staff while providing the professional development, guidance and support to growth of its

educators. They work to create an environment and culture that support learning for both

educators and students. Realistic goals and timelines are set to support the vision and these plans

include staff members can participate to further the team mindset. As benchmarks are reached

leaders takes time to acknowledge and reflect with their staff upon the process and impact it has

had on the organization. Together, leaders and teachers continue to plan make the adjustments if

needed to stay on course on creating the vision of the school.

Method of Vision Attainment/Professional Growth

When thinking about professional growth, a quote of Jeffrey Benjamin comes to mind “A

great teacher never stops being a student". I feel this ideal is essential for both leaders and

educators to become, and sustain, effectiveness in their roles. As a leader, I will continue my

professional growth by creating relationships with administrators I feel are highly effective to

help guide me as in as mentor and ultimately collaborate with as a peer. Take time to look at

schools in the area that are achieving the successes I desire and discover what is working in their

organization. Seek out professional development to enhance my leadership skills as well as my

knowledge of programs and instructional strategies that could be beneficial to the educators in
my building. I will share these professional development experiences with my staff to model the

importance of growth and continuing education. Applying the same concepts I use for myself on

my staff, I would work on fostering relationships between staff members to encourage

collaboration while also building a support system. Ensure that teachers understand new policies

or programs at the local, state and federal level and deliver training when needed to successfully

implement them. Create professional learning communities that can explore programs and

instructional strategies to implement in their classrooms. Allow opportunities for teachers to lead

their peers in areas they are highly effective with the goal to encourage other staff members to

see the benefits of growth and change and give them the strength to take .