As society, education, and learners change so does the need to have educational leaders who embody a modern form of leadership. Modern leaders must establish a vision and implement a strategic process that creates a teaching and learning culture that provides students with essential skill sets (creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, technological proficiency, global awareness). Consistent innovation, effective integration of technology, quality professional development, and an open mind are all mandatory duties of a modern leader.
This process has become more difficult as mounting challenges such as budget cuts and what seems like a relentless attack on the profession of education have taken their toll on staff moral. With this being said, quality modern leadership becomes even more essential in order to cultivate a school culture whose primary focus is on the learning and achievement of each and every student. Here are some of my modern leadership strategies for making change during challenging times. Please feel free to share any other ideas in the comment section below.
The Time For Excuses is Over
Success in this endeavor relies on us to take a no-excuse attitude. Ask yourself this: What am I prepared to do to improve all facets of my school? How will I accomplish more with less? Think and reflect upon the ways to accomplish the goals you set as opposed to the challenges, roadblocks, and pushback you will experience. These are all common complications that arise during the change process and should not be used as excuses not to push forward.
We must be the pillars of our respective institutions and focus on solutions rather than problems. Succumbing to the negative rhetoric, abiding by the status quo, and having a bunker mentality will do nothing to initiate needed changes in our building to improve teaching and learning.
Each day we are afforded an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of our students through our role as education leaders. Our passion for helping all students learn and assisting staff in their growth should be the driving motivational force to make our schools the best they can be, regardless of the obstacles. Everything is changing -- the world, learners, job market, technology, access to information -- the sad reality, though, is that schools are not. We need to be catalysts to drive this change! Take the time to meet with your administrative team and teacher leaders early on and throughout the school year to identify issues where excuses routinely arise. Begin to map out collective responses focusing on positive solutions to these problems.
Model a Vision for Excellence, Innovation, and Creativity
Begin by articulating a clear vision to your staff. The consensus has to be that every student can and should learn. Getting your entire staff to embrace this concept is at the heart of effective modern leadership. I prefer to use the word "embrace" rather than "buy-in," a more commonly used word synonymous with change efforts. We should not be trying to sell our staffs on pedagogical techniques and other initiatives that will better prepare our students for success in today's constantly evolving society once they graduate..
In order to promote the embracement of new ideas, strategies, and techniques we need to collaboratively work with staff to transform traditional classroom environments into vibrant learning communities where all students are authentically engaged. Consistently engage your staff in brainstorming sessions in order to develop a collective vision on how to transform the school for the betterment of all students.
Embrace 21st Century Pedagogy, Curriculum, and Instruction
A vision begins with talk, but will only become reality with action. As society evolves due to advances in technology, we as modern leaders must ensure that instruction and learning follows suit or we run the risk of our schools becoming irrelevant. By irrelevant I am referring to our ability to prepare students with the skills to think critically, solve problems, demonstrate learning through creation, and compete in a global society.
As instructional leaders it is our primary responsibility to observe and evaluate instruction. With this comes the responsibility to ensure that teachers are provided the freedom to take risks, knowledge of effective practices, resources to make it happen, and flexibility to incorporate innovative teaching strategies. With these parameters in place, principals must then be able to consistently identify, foster, support, and promote 21st century pedagogy.
Inherent within this shift is the need to re-evaluate the curriculum as the real-time web and information age present new challenges to instruction and student engagement. The time is now to lay the foundation to ensure that our students evolve into critical consumers of content, understand the importance of digital citizenship, as well as possess the ability to create, analyze, and interpret an array of media messages. Gather key stakeholders to collaboratively revise your curriculum to emphasize essential skills necessary for today's learners to excel beyond your walls. In addition to being instructional leaders, it is imperative that we become technology leaders as well. This article specifically outlines the characteristics of highly effective technology-leading principals.
A New Era of Professional Development
Most teachers cringe when they hear the words "professional development" and rightfully so. The traditional model utilized by many schools forces educators into structured silos based solely on district and school goals while ignoring staff interests and passions. If you thirst for an innovative culture focused on student achievement begin the process of transitioning to Professional Learning Communities (PLC's). To take it a step further, model and encourage your staff to form their own Personal Learning Network (PLN). Then step back, give up some control, and watch your staff thrive as their passion fuels a transformation of the teaching and learning culture at your school. This is modern leadership at its finest.
Become a Connected Leader
Modern leaders need support -- here are some resources to help you stay connected to others making change:
Connected Principals: community and resources for principals.
The Educators PLN: digital discussion forum with over 9,000 educators.
Educational Leadership discussion group at Edutopia.
edWeb.net: connect with other colleagues in education.
ASCD Edge: a professional networking community for educators.
Change begins with a no excuse mentality. Don't waste one more minute pondering what could be. There is a revolution going on right now in learning, and it is up to us to lead the way in a modern fashion. What leadership strategies do you feel are essential for moving our schools forward?