THIS is exactly how I am feeling at the moment. I am currently at the Teacher Learning and Leadership Program's "Leadership Skills for the Classroom Teacher" training where I am wearing two hats: participant and presenter. My focus for this blog post is to address my role here as a presenter.
I remember my first time at this training several years ago. I was the only member of my team to attend the training and was quite frightened. Today, I am not feeling the same fear that I experienced then, even though I am by myself. In fact, I am feeling quite comfortable in my role because of the leadership experiences I have been part of at the schools I have worked at and the leadership opportunities that the Board and others has provided me with.
As I prepare to speak to my colleagues about "Learning from Experience: What I know now that I wish I knew then" and "Preparing for your final report" I am reflecting on my experiences and the Leadership framework expectations and how they have brought me to where I am today.
I think about the leadership opportunities and support I have been provided with as I have taken on a variety of opportunities to grow as a leader (Developing the Organization to Support Desired Practices). I also think about the connections I have established and developed with other schools, my board, and provincial leaders in the educational research community (Developing the Organization to Support Desired Practices) and the effect those connections/relationships have had on increasing my capacity for leadership.
My reflections lead me to believe that the opportunities and scaffolding I have been provided with have allowed me to grow as a leader so that I can provide similar support to others. In the same light, the connections and relationships I have established around the province provide others with the opportunity to reach out to me so that they can build relationships just like I have. I can see the leadership cycle and all that it entails: risk taking, a passion for learning, collaboration, etc.
As I continue to flow through the leadership cycle I am reminded that the learning and growth never ends. The quote "To infinity and beyond" fits perfectly with how I am feeling at this very moment. As I reflect on the leadership foundation that has brought me here I am inspired to ask the people around me about their leadership journeys and whether they share my perspective. Whether they do or they don't, learning will occur and hopefully benefit me so that I may go out and benefit others.
I think about the leadership opportunities and support I have been provided with as I have taken on a variety of opportunities to grow as a leader (Developing the Organization to Support Desired Practices). I also think about the connections I have established and developed with other schools, my board, and provincial leaders in the educational research community (Developing the Organization to Support Desired Practices) and the effect those connections/relationships have had on increasing my capacity for leadership.
My reflections lead me to believe that the opportunities and scaffolding I have been provided with have allowed me to grow as a leader so that I can provide similar support to others. In the same light, the connections and relationships I have established around the province provide others with the opportunity to reach out to me so that they can build relationships just like I have. I can see the leadership cycle and all that it entails: risk taking, a passion for learning, collaboration, etc.
As I continue to flow through the leadership cycle I am reminded that the learning and growth never ends. The quote "To infinity and beyond" fits perfectly with how I am feeling at this very moment. As I reflect on the leadership foundation that has brought me here I am inspired to ask the people around me about their leadership journeys and whether they share my perspective. Whether they do or they don't, learning will occur and hopefully benefit me so that I may go out and benefit others.
