Time is very precious to me. I find that there are never enough hours in the day anymore. The reading materials this week talked of time which made me evaluate how I spend mine. I am a teacher, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and student. I care for my animals as well as my parent’s. I help Dad and Mom as much as I possibly can while they are away and still find time to visit them at least once a week. While at school, lesson plans and grading take a huge amount of time out of my plan time daily at school. I love my job and feel blessed to have finally achieved my goal of becoming a teacher! I am very lucky to have all of the wonderful people in my life and would not trade my time with them for the world.

Our school day consists of team time for a 45 minute period. We utilize this time to communicate with administration as well as other teachers. This helps us, as a group, to know what is going on in the school. Today, we held meetings to aid in our standards of the school. I found that by being in a group of 6 others, we were able to come up with more ideas and improve on what we had. Citizens from the community are also included in our discussions which benefits us greatly by giving us fresh observations. By joining with other educators, administration and the community, I feel that our school will be a beacon in West Terre Haute.

This week’s reading assignments were very interesting. In Awakening the Sleeping Giant, I read chapter 6, “Influencing Others Through Teacher Leadership.” Several interesting observations were made as to the importance of being a teacher leader. The text states, “Teacher leaders influence teaching and learning in schools, but they also influence other aspects of schooling. Teacher leaders can affect policy decisions, secure community resources, and work on interdisciplinary teams. The range of possibilities is endless” (page 90). I find that this is true. At the school in which I teach, we are working as a team to advance our school standards. Each teacher is assigned to a group to find a way to better a standard. We have teachers, administrators and parents involved. I feel that after we are finished, our school will benefit greatly.

The FLEX model helps me to realize another way to absorb other’s ideas and opinions.  By keeping an open mind and tuning in to their thoughts, I can adjust my thinking and bring new ideas into my classroom. I feel that we, as educators, would have a tremendous advantage by listening and utilizing the expertise of others. As an older, new teacher, I find that I can present a more mature idea to my colleagues but am still open to new ideas.

Teachers who are involved in the schools, not just in the classroom, have a major influence on other educators as well as the community. I find that by my being a parent club president as well as a teacher, while volunteering to help in any way possible, I am able to contribute to the students learning environment and the school. I love the idea that I can make a difference in the life of a child. Just going the extra mile can make a huge impact on a student. While making this impact, I feel that I am serving my life purpose.

All schools need more teacher leaders. We need to find a way to get other educators involved in contributing their knowledge for the good of the school. With more teachers sharing their professional knowledge, our schools will only advance. Being experts and proving our credibility can only have a positive influence on our students.

I love the school I teach in!  We have a very diverse group of educators.  This helps create an atmosphere in which almost everyone can learn something from the others.  While reading this week’s chapter, I found that there is at least one teacher that falls into each category.  I see the educators who are in the withdrawal stage and realize that the teacher leaders in school need to include them.  This can refuel the desire to share the knowledge that comes with many years of teaching.  In my career, I feel that I am in the establishment stage.  Little by little, I am acquiring teacher leadership characteristics and love the opportunities that I have. I am considered a middle aged teacher but have only been in the classroom for a few years.  This makes my situation unique.  I feel that I can be more understanding of both the seasoned teachers as well as the newer ones.

It is my intent to provide the best educational opportunities for my students while focusing on improving my teaching abilities and leadership qualities.

My personal vision for teacher leadership is that of a middle-age woman who is just starting her career.  I am very excited to have finally completed one of my goals, a college degree, and be working on another, my masters degree.  I was not the traditional college student.  After graduating from high school, I entered the workforce for a few years.  Marriage and children soon came along.  Being a stay-at-home mom for many years was my first priority, so attending college was a goal that would come later in life.  With all of this being said, I feel that I have a different vision than most teachers.  I bring years of life experience to the classroom.  I consider myself a life long learner who is excited about entering into the masters program.  My children are 14 and 17 years old so I value any teacher who goes above and beyond.  An educator who is willing to continue to grow as a teacher into the leadership role is a very valuable  asset to any school.  I consider this to be my long term goal because school improvement depends on those who are willing to put forth effort to accomplish the needed tasks.  Through daily interaction with students and colleagues, I am able to improve as a teacher as well as take on leadership positions.  Taking care of my family, working on my MED and maintaining a positive attitude is my short term goal. 

Before my career as a teacher began, my thoughts about the leadership role were very different than they are today.  Reflecting back, I can recall thinking the position of teacher leadership being that of a strong-willed, one-dimensional, administrative-bound educator.  However, since I have chosen the profession of teaching, my views have changed drastically. Teacher leaders today have a multitude of tasks to performs on any given day, sometimes not having the technology and/or materials needed. On page 1 from Awakening the Sleeping Giant, the text says, “The new millennuim has arrived, and educators are continuing in their struggle to make massive changes in America’s schools while working within an educational system that was never designed for today.”

I consider myself to be a teacher leader in my school.  I find that instructing in a classroom is only one portion of the responsibilities I undertake daily.  Being a part of the team of teachers who are involved in many different aspects of our educational system is truly a rewarding experience.  Finding ways to improve our school and the lives of our students is an exciting adventure to embark on.  Page 24 of Awakening the Sleeping Giant states, “Teacher leaders, though not always involved in the “what” of the changes, should always be involved in the “how”.”  I love the idea that I can make a difference!

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