Challenges of being a 21st Century
School Leader... Promoting a collaborative and distributive leadership in school.
The field of EDUCATION has been experiencing sweeping changes since I was a regular student for 20 odd years of my life, to the time I became a new teacher full of bright ideas and colorful dreams for the a good part of my professional career, and even now being an administrator for over a decade.
Presently, as I pursue higher degree in teacher leadership it is increasingly evident that there is a need of a paradigm shift in the way the schools are being led. School leadership plays a vital role in setting the culture of the school right from what happens in the classrooms, to the staff lounges, in the meetings or in the board rooms.
It is imperative that teachers are encouraged and empowered to share the rich diversity of thoughts, opinions, ideas and experiences to bring in the best practices from which the students will benefit the most.
Not so long ago, I heard a person of authority mention that even though one may be knowledgeable, experienced and hardworking - that is not the only criteria which will take him forward. Additionally, one has to be political and shrewd to lead schools.
I was stumped when I heard this
statement, after so many years of collaboration with and learning from people
with whom I interact, I have become a firm believer that 21st century working
environment in schools should be firmly based on the ethos of shared decision
making, teacher empowerment, setting up collaborative environment and building
supportive climate to nurture the diversity of learning styles
and leadership among teaching faculty.
I invite you to reflect and share your thoughts on
What is your leadership style?
Has it evolved over time?
Do you adopt different styles for
different situations?
As a leader in your own right, your
style at work has an impact on everything you do, from taking decisions at
department level, planning instructional strategies, managing colleagues and
staff to making strategic decisions. Hence with the changing scenarios in the
school environment how important it is to update our skills as leaders in
21st century schools?
I am pleased to share my thoughts on
ReplyDeleteWhat is your leadership style?
My leadership style is predominately: Limited Delegative allowing group members to make most but not all decisions. This style is best used in situations where the leader needs to rely on qualified employees. As the leader cannot be an expert in all situations, which is why it is important to delegate certain tasks out to knowledgeable and trustworthy group members.
Has it evolved over time?
Leadership styles have evolved over time, with a prominent shift from the autocratic and directive leadership to a more participative and democratic style of the new generation which can be attributed to a combination of issues including a shift in people’s attitudes as well as advances in technology.
Do you adopt different styles for different situations?
Yes
Hi Vandana
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you. You very rightly mentioned that the leadership style has evolved over the years. It is more democratic where each individual can be engaged in multiple roles including that of a leader.
Could you with exemplar elaborate on how you adapt to different styles in situations?
Thanks
First and foremost, "Hearty Congrats" on your new blog & I must say you have taken a very important and interesting topic...Well! I'm glad to be in the 21st century league of teachers. Feel very proud that we are introduced to technology at the right time when every thing is in the fast pace. Traditional teaching of "Teacher" at the center point should be totally out and it should be "Student 's" at the center. With every child so savvy with technology right from 1 year old's..there is bound to be a change..& definitely it is a welcome change...So! teacher's sharpen your technical teaching skills & bring about a definite change in the education system & in the classroom...Well! I'm definitely looking into getting this system working in my school. Even children from the underprivileged section knows so much about IT...Gr8!...
ReplyDeleteI too agree with Vandana...The Leadership style over the years have changed from being authoritative to being democratic....Most schools have experts looking into different sections of the school. Brainstorming sessions, Considering different viewpoints etc...are one of the important issues dealt with now a days...A Leader need not have the expert knowledge in all the subjects but can delegate it to his / her expert Team, get their opinions & implement actions accordingly..MOST IMPORTANTLY..."A LEADER SHOULD NOT HAVE HIS / HER FAVOURITES, HE / SHE SHOULD BE NON JUDGMENTAL & BE A REAL DIPLOMAT..FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY BY NOT BEING PREJUDICED ..KEEP ALL HIS SENSES OPEN & ACT RATIONALLY TAKING THE RIGHT DECISION AT THE RIGHT TIME.".....VERY COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING THE GOALS, HELPING HAS TEAM MEMBERS TO ACHIEVE THE VISION & GOALS TOGETHER. KEEP SHARPENING HIS / HER SKILLS TO BE IN PAR WITH THE NEW TECHNOLOGY & NEW DISCOVERIES IN HIS / HER FIELD. BE COMPASSIONATE, HAVE EMPATHY, LOVING & ALWAYS HAVING A SMILE....Hope I have summed it up well....
It's gr8 to be a School Leader in the 21st century that too heading a government school for the Underprivileged children in Mumbai...trying to bring about the necessary changes which is lacking and empowering these kids & make them someone really accountable in our society...
Great Going Sabita... Good Luck for all your future endeavours.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful article. Congratulation to your new blog and thank you for giving us a platform to learn and share.
ReplyDeleteNow coming back to the article. Let me asnwer the questions you asked.
What is your leadership style?
My leadership style as inspired by Paul Santoyo is Leverage Leadership. I believe it is a continuous and dynamic process with a self evolving algorithm. If designed properly it can be like a simulated system powered by Artificial Intelligence. Yes, by 'artificial' I mean that irrespective of 'who' is the leader of the organisation it will function with 100 percent efficacy.
I also believe that education space includes a huge amount of emotional capital and so i embrace the Emotional and Social Learning methodologies but with a more data driven approach. Yes, I believe that even emotional responses can be quantified, measured, analysed and predicted. That is my recent area of research.
Has it evolved over time?
It is flexible enough to evolve always. I believe that we can only be a good leader if your learning is continuous.
Do you adopt different styles for different situations?
Surely when I'm dealing with organic life form like students and teachers.