CEDO565 Week 1

This week we took several surveys to assess what type of leader we are.  We also started examining what makes a good leader - what skills do they need?  Can everyone lead or is only natural born leaders?  Pat Awuah (TED talk video) says that leaders need to be trained and they need to serve humanity.  Leaders need to have courage, think critically, have the ability to confront complex problems, creative, engaged, ethical, empowering, the ability to challenge, and integrity.  His most powerful statement was every society must be intentional about how it trains its leaders.  This is especially true in today's world.

Am I leader?  Prior to becoming a teacher I have held management positions in the corporate world.   Today, I'm a teacher and I do consider myself a leader in my school and district.  I am engaged in my building and with my students.  I question things and offer different approaches and solutions when I feel there are alternatives.  I use my creativity in my lessons and activities and I share with my colleagues.  I have been instrumental in creating a CDB curriculum and getting the funding approved for it by the school board.  I enjoy being engaged and sharing ideas with my students, peers, and colleagues.  I'm a teacher, case manager, committee member, and a team member.  In these roles I've been and continue to be a leader, even though there's no recognized authority or compensation.  I've been a leader of technology and incorporating in into lessons and activities.  Why then do this?  Because I care about the students, the school, the district, and our community.  This is what a leader does.