Early Leadership Philosophies and Asumptions

I believe that at that point I had some understanding that leadership meant some form of power. I remember the excitement that we as students had as we got those plastic orange belts. Entrusted with that responsibility was a prestigious honor for such a young child. Fast forward to serving on student council while I was in high school where I started to realize that being a boss and being a leader was completely different. People especially high school students do not want to be told what to do and yelled at by anyone let alone someone the same age as them. Then as a young adult in college, I decided that I would try my hand at serving the student body in some capacity. I served in different positions over the years with different organizations and it was there that I began to understand leadership on a different level. Understanding that in order to be a good leader you must be a good follower. In addition, that to be an effective leader you had to have high standards so that others will want to follow you. In each of these memories, I remember people saying to be a good example, be a good leader, be someone that others want to emulate. It was through these situations that I learned about integrity and having good character. Prior to understanding leadership and leadership philosophies, I assumed that being a boss and being a leader were the same thing. I also had the belief that some people were born leaders.

That these born leaders just had the charisma, character, and the ability to get people to follow them. While in college, I was able to take a class “Leadership in Film”. During this class, we studied the different leadership philosophies within movies. Within one of the movies that we watched, one character said to another “Attitude reflects leadership” (Yankin, Remember the Titans). That quote has resonated with me for years. I often use this quote to encourage my student leaders to foster positivity as they lead their student organization.

Leadership Mentors

I attended high school in an extremely small town. Within our school we were very limited in the elective choices that we were offered. When I entered the ninth grade I was given the option between agriculture and technology. I decided to take agriculture. At the time, I had no clue as to what impact that small choice would have on my life. I did not grow up on the farm and had no desire to become a farm. I was the same child that I struggle with today. My agriculture teacher saw in me something I would have never seen. She pushed me beyond my comfort zone. She provided me with opportunities to lead and grow as a leader. She convinced me to apply for various leadership with my local organization and pushed me to pursue leadership experiences with the state association. It was the unwavering belief that she had in me that molded me into the person, teacher, and leader that I am today. I also made it my mission to be that teacher for my students. I honestly believe that every students needs an advocate just as my agriculture teacher was for me.

During my first semester of college, I remember sitting in the school dining hall and another student came up to me. He introduced himself to me, as he was an upperclassman. Someone had mentioned my name that I would be a good candidate for a leadership position within the Student Government Association. I felt honored that someone would think so highly of me that someone would recommend me for any type of position. This moment set in motion various stepping stones that assisted in getting scholarships, meeting my husband, travel opportunities, and so many other things that I am more than likely unaware of. This chance gave me the opportunity to serve the college that I attended as a student and has allowed me to continue to serve as an alumni.

Leadership Lessons

I would tell my 18-year-old self to be kind, network, and travel. Having life experiences will help you go far in life. People want to be around positive people that make them feel wanted. People want you to be honest and reliable. If you can portray these traits they go hand in hand with being a good leader and overall a quality person. Take the time to network build relationships that are meaningful. Travel and gain life experiences. Pay attention to great leaders. See what works for them and learn what works for you. It is okay to fail. In fact, it is through the hard times that you learn the most about yourself. Do not be ashamed of where you have come from. Embrace it and share your testimony with others.

During my third and fourth year of teaching I experienced significant growth not only as a professional but as a person. I found myself unable to excite students about what we were doing in class. I felt discounted from my students and the overall reason that I was teaching. Being called to the principal’s office (which is much scarier as a teacher) because students were not following the rules and in the administrations opinion I was not enforcing school rules. During this time, I realized that students required more structure than I was providing. Unfortunately, I felt that I had already made too many poor choices and that the students I taught were accustomed to the poor choices I had already made. That is when I decided to change schools and moved to teach middle school aged students. It was during my time teaching middle school that I was able to focus on my classroom management and content delivery. I felt more confident as a young teacher in establishing rules and procedures and enforcing them with a younger group of students. During this time, I matured as a teacher. After teaching middle school for three years, I returned to teaching high school. Now I am much more confident with my classroom management procedures which overall makes me a much better student.

Leadership Crucible Moments

Similar to above where I experienced the most growth also was the moment I was forced to pause. During my fourth year of teaching I became engaged to my now husband. I loved the school that I was working at but I began seeing how I had become an ineffective teacher. My fiancé hated the community that I was living in and did not see a future for himself there. At that point, I was ready to walk away from the classroom and go back to graduate school, find a new career path, anything other than teaching. I explored all of the options and even decided that I would give teaching middle school as an option. I applied at various schools. After taking several months of weighing all of my options, I put in my letter of resignation to my principal. It was as though a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I knew that I could not stay and continue to be in the relationship and that was more important than the job where I was miserable. I do not like thinking that I failed or leaving a job unfinished but in order for me to grow I had to leave and start fresh.

This was also a time that I felt a tremendous amount of self-doubt. When I submitted my letter of resignation, I did not have another job lined up. The idea of not having a plan was scary but at the same time I, felt assured that I was doing the right thing. Those last few weeks of teaching at that school I was determined not to be a lame duck teacher it was difficult to engage and inspire the students to follow me because they knew I was leaving. In fact, I waited to the last possible minute to tell them so that I would not lose my effectiveness. This was extremely challenging because in the back of my mind I was not 100% sure that I was doing what was right. I look back on that time in my life and realize that I did what I needed to do in order for me to grow. I also know that I have the life I have now because of the choices that I made during that time in my life. I am a much better leader because of those moments.Leadership ProgressionPart of being a good leader is being consistent. My students and colleagues know what to expect out of me because I am consistent. I believe that actions speak louder than words and I express that to my students.

When they say or do something I remind them that positive thoughts lead to positive actions. I am by nature someone that encourages others and see the positive in things that they do not see in themselves. One of my greatest traits and strengths is that I am honest. My students and colleagues know that I am going to give them an honest opinion and that is something that I am respected for. I am intentional. I create lists and am task oriented. My students appreciate that I am timely in getting work graded and back to them. I also give second chances and ways that they can improve. I do no procrastinate and I get things done in advance so that they can be improved if need be. Additionally, I believe that in order to be a good leader you must be a good follower. Through this program, I want to understand my flaws so that I can become a better leader which will also make me a better teacher. I want to listen and gain knowledge from those with more and different life experiences. Additionally, this program is a way for me to invest not only into myself but for my family and their future. I want to grow professionally and personally.