Philosophy of School Leadership
Photo above: Yes, that's Jon with a mohawk. Middle school students do that to him every year as part of a fundraiser to buy medicine for tuberculosis sufferers in North Korea.
Ask Good Questions
I believe it is important to reflect on our educational memories. Sometimes, years after an experience, the significance of it will become apparent. I never thought much of it when my father would send me off to school in the morning with the exhortation, “Ask good questions!” Reflecting now on his approach to my leaning then, I recognize the power of what he asked me to do, and the wisdom of what he did not ask me to do. He did not tell me to give good answers. He did not tell me to try harder or study longer. He did not demand good grades. He only asked me to be an inquirer, and to work on the quality of the questions I would ask. We put so much pressure on students to perform, but really what we want is for them to truly love learning, to be curious, to be self-directed, and to channel their abilities creatively and positively. Students in 21st century schools are empowered in ways that no generation has been empowered in the past. They need guidance and opportunity in equal measure, so that they can develop a positive vision for themselves and a desire to serve others as global citizens. I hope that I can live up to the same standard in my own learning and the leadership I provide within learning communities.
Servant Leadership
Service to all members of a school community results in mutual respect and the natural authority to draw on their knowledge, talents, and skills. The expertise and vision in a school does not reside only with its leaders, but mainly in the faculty of professionals, and also in the classified staff, parents, and students. As a school leader, I am happy to serve as the glue that connects, reinforces, and bonds these people together into a community of learners, working toward a shared vision. Conflicts, crises, and deadlines sometimes require a more authoritative leadership style, but the ideal for me is servant leadership.
Creative and Ethical Solutions
Education is about people, about relationships, about common understandings and goals. It is messy and imperfect and requires us to believe the best about each other if we really want to function as a community of learners. Decisions should be data-based and collaborative whenever possible. Teachers and administrators must acknowledge that time constraints make it impossible for every decision to be based on perfect information and incorporate everyone's opinion. When conflicts arise, I will seek ethical solutions that are thoughtful, respectful, and defensible. I am a big believer in grace, both given and received. It is, perhaps, the most important value we can pass on to our students.
Communicate the Vision
I believe that a school's mission, vision, and philosophy need to be more than text on a wall or on a website. They also need to be bigger than one person's interpretation. These statements need to be an ongoing discussion. Administrators, teachers, students, and parents need to be committed to the values within these statements and actively seeking ways to live these ideas out. When new leaders, new teachers, new curriculum, or new trends come along, this should not necessarily result in a new character for the school. The fundamental ideas upon which a school exists need to be upheld to provide stability and a recognizable character for the institution. As a principal, I will seek to embody and uphold the character of the school I serve, while also seeking new ways to carry out the mission and vision with the goal of constant improvement.
Support for Teachers
The most important roles of a principal are to hire and then fully support the very best teachers. When fully supported, teachers effectively facilitate meaningful learning of diverse students, and that learning is the goal. What students learn is not simply curriculum; it is how to learn both independently and socially. Curriculum is important, but it is secondary to qualified, inspirational, and caring teachers in the classroom. Students won’t remember the details of a curriculum; they will remember the impact of an inspiring teacher. Many obstacles can get in the way of inspired learning and principals must support teachers by correctly identifying and effectively removing obstacles.
Make it Fun
Educational can be a frustrating business. Funding is often short. People are overworked. The only way to survive is to celebrate success and have a good sense of humor through all of the challenges. This is an important idea to pass on to students: that we should enjoy serving and and pursuing our calling.
Ask Good Questions
I believe it is important to reflect on our educational memories. Sometimes, years after an experience, the significance of it will become apparent. I never thought much of it when my father would send me off to school in the morning with the exhortation, “Ask good questions!” Reflecting now on his approach to my leaning then, I recognize the power of what he asked me to do, and the wisdom of what he did not ask me to do. He did not tell me to give good answers. He did not tell me to try harder or study longer. He did not demand good grades. He only asked me to be an inquirer, and to work on the quality of the questions I would ask. We put so much pressure on students to perform, but really what we want is for them to truly love learning, to be curious, to be self-directed, and to channel their abilities creatively and positively. Students in 21st century schools are empowered in ways that no generation has been empowered in the past. They need guidance and opportunity in equal measure, so that they can develop a positive vision for themselves and a desire to serve others as global citizens. I hope that I can live up to the same standard in my own learning and the leadership I provide within learning communities.
Servant Leadership
Service to all members of a school community results in mutual respect and the natural authority to draw on their knowledge, talents, and skills. The expertise and vision in a school does not reside only with its leaders, but mainly in the faculty of professionals, and also in the classified staff, parents, and students. As a school leader, I am happy to serve as the glue that connects, reinforces, and bonds these people together into a community of learners, working toward a shared vision. Conflicts, crises, and deadlines sometimes require a more authoritative leadership style, but the ideal for me is servant leadership.
Creative and Ethical Solutions
Education is about people, about relationships, about common understandings and goals. It is messy and imperfect and requires us to believe the best about each other if we really want to function as a community of learners. Decisions should be data-based and collaborative whenever possible. Teachers and administrators must acknowledge that time constraints make it impossible for every decision to be based on perfect information and incorporate everyone's opinion. When conflicts arise, I will seek ethical solutions that are thoughtful, respectful, and defensible. I am a big believer in grace, both given and received. It is, perhaps, the most important value we can pass on to our students.
Communicate the Vision
I believe that a school's mission, vision, and philosophy need to be more than text on a wall or on a website. They also need to be bigger than one person's interpretation. These statements need to be an ongoing discussion. Administrators, teachers, students, and parents need to be committed to the values within these statements and actively seeking ways to live these ideas out. When new leaders, new teachers, new curriculum, or new trends come along, this should not necessarily result in a new character for the school. The fundamental ideas upon which a school exists need to be upheld to provide stability and a recognizable character for the institution. As a principal, I will seek to embody and uphold the character of the school I serve, while also seeking new ways to carry out the mission and vision with the goal of constant improvement.
Support for Teachers
The most important roles of a principal are to hire and then fully support the very best teachers. When fully supported, teachers effectively facilitate meaningful learning of diverse students, and that learning is the goal. What students learn is not simply curriculum; it is how to learn both independently and socially. Curriculum is important, but it is secondary to qualified, inspirational, and caring teachers in the classroom. Students won’t remember the details of a curriculum; they will remember the impact of an inspiring teacher. Many obstacles can get in the way of inspired learning and principals must support teachers by correctly identifying and effectively removing obstacles.
Make it Fun
Educational can be a frustrating business. Funding is often short. People are overworked. The only way to survive is to celebrate success and have a good sense of humor through all of the challenges. This is an important idea to pass on to students: that we should enjoy serving and and pursuing our calling.