8085mod1 discu1

Response 1

Michele Whitten

RE: Discussion 1 - Module 1

COLLAPSE

Two leadership theories from the literature that I find personally compelling are Participative Theory and Relationship/Transformational Theory.

Participative Theory takes group members' thoughts into account. It encourages participation and makes each member feel that what they have to offer is relevant, making them commit to the decision-making process (Amanchukwu, 2016). As an educator, I was drawn to this Theory because I feel it is essential to be heard. Educators are in the classroom for 180 days, and we know how our students will benefit. It is easy to discuss what students need as a team, but it is not always so easy to be heard by leadership. An example that I have experienced is retention. This year our team had several students that needed to be retained. We had all the data; conferences had been completed, and then we were told no one was being retained. As an educator, this is very frustrating. Why were we not consulted in making the decisions? When we questioned the reason, we were not given a reason. The administration has caused us all to think what is the point of collecting data and doing what needs to be done if it does not matter. The way to fix the issue is to include teachers in the decision-making when it comes to our student's education.

Relationship theories focus on the connections formed between leaders and followers. Leadership engages with others and creates a bond that will result in increased motivation. Relationship leaders focus on the performance of each group member (Amanchukwu, 2016). I was drawn to this Theory because when I first started at the school that I am now, this was the type of leadership I saw. Our principal made a point to make that connection with every single teacher. An example of this was how she would walk to each classroom every morning, give us a big hug, and tell us to have a great day. She made everyone feel important and seen. When covid started, things changed. She would still walk around, but it was as if everyone had the plague. Nothing has been the same ever since, and without that relationship, it leaves everyone questioning everything they do.

References

Amanchukwu, R. N. (2016). A review of leadership theories, principles and styles and their relevance to educational management [PDF]. http://site.iugaza.edu.ps/hsoofi/files/2016/08/A-Review-of-Leadership-Theories.pdf

Response 2

Michelle Pinkney

RE: Discussion 1 - Module 1

COLLAPSE

The two leadership theories that have resonated with me are Contingency Theories and Relationship/Transformational Theory.

Contingency theories are based on knowing your audience, making decisions on needs, and how certain situations should be handled. The variables that factor into the contingency theories, such as the leadership style and this variable, are essential because a leader with a fixed mindset about what leadership can find obstacles in their way that can cause pushback from their followers. Leadership requires the responsibility to combat challenges by applying resources to support the leadership and followers (Amanchukwu et al., 2015). The contingency theories have another variable of the environment; as a public school teacher who has spent most of my teaching career in title one schools where education is looked at differently with children in many circumstances requiring more support because of factors of low income or no income, in a high crime community, and high drop-out rates. The leadership must be willing to consider those variables.

An example of a contingency theory is working in a title one public school that opened for the first time. It was a mandatory uniform school, with all black shoes (no exceptions). Many of the parents could not or were not willing to follow the uniform policies put in place. The leadership did not consider their environment and how many parents would struggle for different reasons to follow the uniform policies. They shared their frustration with their children, which they brought to school, and shared it with the leadership and the teachers. The situation got out of control, and they ended up removing that leadership style and bringing in leadership that with contingency and took time to understand the needs of the community and brought in things like a washer and dryer to help parents to keep the uniforms clean and uniform donations from local stores in the community.

Relationship/Transformational Theory focuses on the connection between leaders and followers. This theory guides how a leader engages the followers, considering how their words can motivate or discourage their followers. Relationship/transformational theory requires a leader to be confident and believe in the words and actions to get their followers to buy into the ideas to support the change they are working toward. In this theory, the leader wants to support their followers. They want to make those connections to motivate.

An example of this theory is working with a kindergarten teacher. Who is experience has not developed over five years, with children leaving the school and some having to do kindergarten over. This kindergarten teacher has gone through many co-teachers who have shared their concerns about her teaching style. The leadership refused to engage me or the other teachers with courtesy of addressing this situation, which meant every year she has been finding new kindergarten co-teachers. The leader is aware of her challenges with change and wants the co-teacher to be responsible for motivating the teacher, which did not work in my case. Knowing how to communicate with the team will support building relationships (Amanchukwu et al., 2015).

Reference:

Amanchukwu, R.N. Stanley, G.L. & Olube, N.P. (2015). A review of leadership theories, principles, and styles and their relevance to educational management. Management, 5(1), 6-14. doi:10.5923/j.mm.20150501.02