Right now, educational administrators are making decisions that are going to impact the health of their employees and students while balancing what parents and politicians want while everyone has different goals and desires. I do not envy their position at all.
During my EEND680 class on 21st Century Educational Leadership at the University of St. Francis, we were given peaks at what it takes to become an effective leader that uses technology and it’s a lot! From organizing the foundations of a workshop, conducting interviews that highlight technology, fostering a collaborative environment, to building an ideal space for teachers under a 10k budget, the endless tasks do not cease. These were assignments that teachers had to think about during class. Administrators probably deal with this and a lot more during an actual day. What surprised me is the detail and thought that goes into planning a conference. There are pros and cons to what type of conference you want to do, half-day or full-day, etc. There are tips and tricks on how to make a conference effective. There are justifications for why this particular conference topic is important. And the work doesn’t end there, how will administrators follow up with attendees to see if the conference is successful? I know my administration follows all of these steps but I didn’t realize that it is planned in advance with research and reflection before it is even presented to teachers.
Another key reflection is how leaders connect with their community. Do they use social media? Do they pay attention to new challenges with care and research? Are they addressing community concerns of the present or glossing over the details? Effective leaders use technology to communicate their plans for the present and future. If administrators are still refusing to communicate, the institution definitely can’t move forward into the 21st century. Hidden plans and hidden agendas make for very unhappy teachers and parents. Detailed research, embracing technology, meeting challenges, and careful planning and communication are the highlights of a 21st-century leader. I hope every teacher gets to blossom under a 21st-century leader!
It is a lot that admins have to do. But it doesn’t always have to be admin. As teacher leaders we can do it too! I’m glad the assignments got you thinking.