Leadership Philosophy:
At the heart of every person is the desire to be seen and heard and to be a part of something larger than themselves. As a leader, I believe in seeing and listening deeply to all stakeholders; I believe in the power of a collective voice which intends to realize the larger vision of the school.
When attempting to make any change, I think that the practice of honoring current procedures and practices while simultaneously working to make changes that are lasting and relevant to students and their families, is the best way to grow as an institution. In my current school, for example, we take pride in our deep history of excellence and cultivation of leaders; simultaneously, we recognize that our understanding of leadership is shaped by the world in which live and that we must make changes as our world changes. For this reason, my own leadership journey includes active participation in conferences such as the Inner Development Goals Summit and work around mentoring growth through deep listening and specific feedback. As Brene Brown says, I believe that “clear is kind”.
In order to make positive impact, I believe that:
When attempting to make any change, I think that the practice of honoring current procedures and practices while simultaneously working to make changes that are lasting and relevant to students and their families, is the best way to grow as an institution. In my current school, for example, we take pride in our deep history of excellence and cultivation of leaders; simultaneously, we recognize that our understanding of leadership is shaped by the world in which live and that we must make changes as our world changes. For this reason, my own leadership journey includes active participation in conferences such as the Inner Development Goals Summit and work around mentoring growth through deep listening and specific feedback. As Brene Brown says, I believe that “clear is kind”.
In order to make positive impact, I believe that:
A leader must earn the respect of the faculty and fellow leaders as a fellow human, an instructor, and a colleague. I believe in open doors and the courage to do the right thing, to face difficult situations, and to speak up if and when necessary.
A leader must lead by example. I believe in peer observations, collaborative work, and lifelong learning within a network of peers with similar goals and differing creative processes. I believe in integrity, kindness, a willingness to listen, and open minds. I believe in public celebrations of success and private callings to account. A leader must be vulnerable. They must be able to see the strengths of their colleagues and to celebrate those strengths through collaboration and growth exercises. They must be willing to learn and grow as well as guide and support. A leader listens deeply to all voices and is deliberate about designing teams with an ear toward equity. Not only does listening allow a leader to know and understand their teams better, but also giving people the time and the space to talk about their lives and their practice allows them to feel more self-aware, more willing to engage with complexity, and empowered by reflection to engage in and lead their own growth. A leader must be able and willing to co-create, to listen to the wisdom of the room, and to ultimately make difficult and clear decisions. I believe in constant growth, learning from each other, and leading with compassion and human connection. An educational leader must be knowledgeable about current trends in education, have clear and research-backed opinions about classroom practice, and be perceptive about the climate among the faculty. I believe in critical thinking and student centeredness, equity, intellectualism and expertise, collaboration, and a system of feedback and revision that drives teachers to work toward effective and joyful student learning. I believe in accountability and using data to assess and reassess our own work in pursuit of these qualities. A leader must be dedicated to her vision and the vision of the school, and she should not be afraid to find creative solutions to rising issues in a responsible and timely manner. I believe in the balance between tenacity for a vision and flexibility for successful collaboration. |
I do not believe that our work is ever finished or that there will never be a time when iteration is not relevant.