Why do you want to be a leader?

I have made it a personal goal to blog about my experiences in the classroom, Ed leadership program, etc... at least once a week and so far I'm 2 for 2 in the last two weeks! 

It was another refreshing and inspiring weekend of learning and growing with my fellow cohort members at Grant Wood AEA. I think one of the things I have noticed in the 4 short months we have been together is how amazing it is to get together and discuss the positive and challenging aspects of our daily lives. The 13 other members of my cohort are truly amazing people and have all inspired me to continue trying to be the best version of myself that I can be. 

Throughout the weekend, we discussed a lot about leadership and during an online interview with Joe Mazza (University of Penn Graduate Program) he challenged us to answer the question "why do you want to be a leader?" It donned on me a little bit that while I feel as though I have attempted to answer this I really haven't answered it to its fullest extent at least at this point in my career. I am going to attempt to do that in the lines below.

I really truly believe that I can make a difference in the lives of everyone I come in contact with. I have never been one to settle and instead always constantly challenging the status quo, even when the status quo is working. While interviewing an administrator and friend who works at Central Intermediate School in Monmouth, IL she discussed the concept of continuous improvement that while we should celebrate the small successes "there is always something that we can get better at." This is really where my personal and professional philosophy exists on a daily basis. How can I continue to reflect and grow myself and my knowledge on a daily basis?

I was able to read a blog today where the post was titled "Why Would Anyone Want to be a School Leader" and it really put it into perspective some reasons why we are doing what we are doing. A couple of takeaways that I got from the post was that you must be willing to have tough conversations with your students and faculty but you also must be willing to fill your day with laughter. You need to be able to surround yourself with good people, those that will challenge you to continue to grow. 

As we move forward to another week of school I continue to challenge myself to seek new ways to reach and impact the students I am surrounded with on a daily basis. I also hope to continue to impact and inspire the faculty and staff around me to build a capacity for having a students-first mentality. A wise man once said that without students we would all be out of a job so doesn't it make sense to base all of our decisions around what is best for them? I also hope to be a light for our students even in their darkest times because everyone needs someone in their corner being their biggest cheerleader!

Thank you for all that you do to better yourself and the profession by reading blogs, actively engaging on twitter or any social media platform, and by growing your PLN. I have realized quickly in the two years I have been teaching that it is truly important to be the "lead learner" in my classroom and model to my students that learning and growing are important regardless the age or skill level you are. I hope to be able to model effectively as a future leader and admin in the future.

Until next time...Be A Light!