INTRODUCTION:
As I entered the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program at Michigan State University in the Spring 2013 semester, I did so with the desire to glean as much information as possible in order to become prepared for a potential school leadership role in the future. Additionally, seeing as technology is becoming increasingly important in education, I chose the following two specializations: P-12 School and Postsecondary Leadership and Technology and Learning. It was with these two concentration areas I framed every single article or novel read, video viewed, or paper written throughout my tenure at Michigan State.
I have listed below relevant coursework I completed during my time in the MAED program. Each artifact directly aligns with a smattering of the Ten Truths of Leadership as they are explained in the novel The Truth about Leadership: The No-fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. Click HERE if you are interested in reading a short synopsis of each truth of leadership.
As I entered the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program at Michigan State University in the Spring 2013 semester, I did so with the desire to glean as much information as possible in order to become prepared for a potential school leadership role in the future. Additionally, seeing as technology is becoming increasingly important in education, I chose the following two specializations: P-12 School and Postsecondary Leadership and Technology and Learning. It was with these two concentration areas I framed every single article or novel read, video viewed, or paper written throughout my tenure at Michigan State.
I have listed below relevant coursework I completed during my time in the MAED program. Each artifact directly aligns with a smattering of the Ten Truths of Leadership as they are explained in the novel The Truth about Leadership: The No-fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. Click HERE if you are interested in reading a short synopsis of each truth of leadership.
Truth #10 Leadership is an aFfair of the heartLEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES
In this particular assignment I utilized the concepts discussed in "Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?" by Robert Goffee and Gareth Jones to focus on one leadership principle: dare to be different. I created a "pseudo-aspirational" motivational poster to illustrate this principle. As a future school leader it will be exceptionally important to remember each of these leadership principles discussed by Goffee and Jones. I intend to practice each of the four leadership qualities explained: reveal weaknesses, become a sensor, practice tough empathy, and dare to be different. By adhering to these ideals, I wish to be an authentic leader who others want to follow. |
Truth #9 the best leaders are the best learnersCREATIVITY AND LEADERSHIP
Creativity is increasingly becoming more important in education. In this new "knowledge economy" individuals are forced to find answers to largely unanticipated problems. All of the assignments I created on this blog adhere to the seven key trans-disciplinary cognitive tools: perceiving, patterning, abstracting, embodied thinking, modeling, playing, and synthesizing. By employing a multitude of different technologies (thinglink, YouTube, Prezi, Twitter, digital photography, and mp3 audio files) I was able to gain a better understanding of my own creativity, how to lead creatively, and how to teach others to be creative. |
Truth #9 the best leaders are the best learnersTECHNOLOGY, LEADERSHIP & SHARING
Any educational leader in today's tough economic times must find new, innovative ways to guide his/her followers. Using all the Internet has to afford (numerous free resources) is one such creative way administrator's can approach this problem. Sharing resources with like-minded professionals is another successful method. In this "tech tools" post I searched for, and found, a free online game quiz simulator to share with my colleagues. I explained my experiences with the resources (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and in what content areas and grades the resources would most apply. I even created a review game for one of my social studies units on the country of India. The game can be viewed HERE. |
Truth #9 the best leaders are the best learnersLEADERSHIP AND RE-PURPOSED TECHNOLOGY
As is the case in many professions, educational leaders must be thrifty and increasingly innovative when implementing new ideas within a school. In the re-purposed lesson plan I "creatively re-purposed" a technology (Green Screen Movie FX Studio App) that was not initially designed for education. I correlated the lesson plan to the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS*T), taught the lesson, and reflected on all positives and negatives. This type of plan will prove extremely helpful in my future educational leadership roles. Being able to effectively re-purpose a technology for educational purposes can create even more exciting, educational possibilities. |
Truth #7 Challenge is the crucible for greatnessIDENTIFYING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES
As a prospective building principal, I fully understand the importance of first identifying problems within the school context, and second, coming up with cost-effective ways to solve the problems. In this sustainability technology project I created a plan that does both. The specific problem I found in my own context was a lack of parent-teacher communication. In order to solve the problem the plan calls for the employment of many different technologies (Remind 101, Engrade, Twitter, Class Dojo, Blackboard's CourseSites, and Weebly). In addition to the written proposal, I created a two-part video synopsis utilizing another new technology, TouchCast. |
|
truth #5 you can't do it aloneLEADERSHIP PROPOSOLS
One exceptionally important task for each school leader is proposing new ideas to better the school community. In creating and presenting effective proposals, the leader creates a strong learning community that is accountable and built on collaboration. In the formal year-long proposal for teacher learning and the coinciding budget and purchasing plan, I have created a plan I intend to present to my own faculty with the hopes of gaining support to actually implement next school year. In the plan I have listed the rationale, a timeline to get the work accomplished, the learning designs used, information that will be used to use as evidence of accomplishing the goals, and the anticipated impact the proposal will have on the school, staff, and students. |
truth #4 focusing on the future sets leaders apartLEADERSHIP INQUIRY
Through profound inquiry-based questioning, all educational leaders can gain a better understanding of the "big" questions: "What are education's purposes? What is most worth knowing? How do we learn? What do we want from teaching?" Seeing as "our educational inquiries inevitably begin with our own experience and preferences," autobiographical inquiry is one of the most used, as well as most important, domains of educational inquiry. In this essay I utilized autobiographical inquiry to explore my personal technology timeline. In addition to creating the final essay, I created a digital timeline using Dipity. The timeline can be viewed HERE. |
truth #3 values drive commitmentLEADING IN SPITE OF DIGITAL MAXIMALISM
As an everyday teacher leader, it is important to keep in mind digital maximalism, a concept coined by William Powers in which the individual follows a philosophy of maximum screen time; that is, we all wish to stay as connected to the rest of the world as possible through our digital technologies. Every leader (even outside of the education field) must heed the warnings Powers provides in this particular lifestyle. In this essay, the final essay for the course, I evaluated my own values and belief system in regards to the adequate amount of technology use. I conclude the best course of action is to strike an effective balance so that the many benefits our digital devices have to offer can be realized. |