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Leadership Philosophy
Personal Leadership Philosophy
Exemplary Leadership: Is That You?
By
Courtney Brown
L30035499
EDUC 741
Dr. Beth Ackerman
“Portions of this paper were drawn from a previous work submitted in EDUC 703”
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Leadership Philosophy
Abstract
The best leader to be is to show exemplary leadership. Exemplary leadership requires
establishing a vision, collaborating with my teachers and staff, and setting high standards to
provide excellence for my students. My leadership philosophy of education views will be clearly
stated throughout and will take you on a long journey on what I plan to succeed in my
professional career. “This has not been an easy task and I plan to keep educating myself for the
future to come” (Brown, 2019, p. 2). Leadership in education is a growing and changing process
that I will do my best in providing a positive work environment for my teachers, staff, and
students.
Key Words: leadership, education, philosophy
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Leadership Philosophy
Leadership is a task that takes a special individual to handle. It is not an easy process to
intake. It is not for the weak-minded. Leaders have to deal with so much on their plate and are
responsibility for the entire building. My leadership responsibilities stem from having a growth
mindset. In order to become an exemplary leader, I have to think differently than I have in the
past. My personal leadership philosophy is setting a foundation for my building, having a clear
vision, and creating goals that we as a school can accomplish that will set the tone for the
building.
Philosophy of Educational Leadership
I believe that leadership is within. “All of us are born leaders. We all have leadership
qualities. All that we need is polishing them and bringing them to the forefront” (Kouzes &
Posner, 2017, p. 12). Great leaders are able to build on their weaknesses and make them positive.
I also want to have a vision for myself. This will set the tone for creating the vision for my
school. I have to be aware of what I see possible for my school and how to make it better. I also
need to make sure I have a voice, which will coincide with my vision. “When you understand
who you are and what your values are, then you can give voice to those values” (Kouzes &
Posner, 2017, p. 14). Another theory is setting a strong foundation. In doing so, teachers have to
have that background knowledge on any subject they teach. “Knowledge lays the foundation for
confident and successful dealings of reality and, as such, is one of the most precious things one
can acquire” (Moreland, 2007, p.8). I would recommend my teachers go to as many professional
developments as they can if it is going to better their teaching strategies. “As a leader, I have to
be committed to what I do in my profession. Dedication and commitment is something I do
every day when I come to work. I am going to be committed to teachers reaching every student
in my building” (Brown, 2019, p. 4).
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Leadership Philosophy
Leadership Practice
In my leadership practice, I would start by giving my building the truth, which will drive
my instruction at the beginning of the year. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is the truth”
Matthew 17:17 (English Standard Version). I want my staff and teachers to trust me and know
that I am dedicated to do my job to the best of my ability. I am also creating positive
relationships with them. “Leaders foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating
relationships” (Kouzes & Posner, 2017, p. 17). I will hope and pray that my teachers and staff
understand the importance of building positive relationships with each other and putting all other
feelings aside for the end goal, which are educating our students in the building. “I will teach
them validity and ethical practices. Being ethical lets me know their character and if they are
going to tell the truth and be honest, which will impact their students” (Brown, 2019, p. 4). Key
to being ethical has three principles. “Respect for others, beneficence, justice” (Check & Schutt,
2012, p. 48). The teachers and staff have to respect each other and put all attitudes aside for the
sake of the students and each other. Our district also implemented “Write from the Beginning”.
This model is built on helping children succeed in writing skills. It focuses on students building
their writing using thinking maps. Examples are circle, bubble, flee, or multiple flow maps. I will
have my teachers use this in their classroom. If children use these maps, then they can write
down key facts they need to build on their writing. “Lastly, I will implement SEL (social and
emotional learning) model. It builds self-esteem, confidence, and social skills. I will have all my
teachers use this model in their classroom for every student” (Brown, 2019, p. 5).
Faculty/Administrator Relationships
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Leadership Philosophy
The role of the faculty is to do their role or position. Educating their students to their best
off their ability is their role. Abiding by the rules of the administrator or principal in the building.
This can include getting to work on time, attending any school faculty meetings or after school
activities, and attending all grade level or PLC meetings. “Things must happen for a purpose or
future goal and the purpose is relevant for human life” (Moreland, 2007, p. 54). I love that quote
because people have to do their job, which will in fact help their future. As an administrator, I
will establish procedures for the building. Create a positive work environment, collaborate with
my teachers and staff, and give them a voice to address concerns or feedback. As a leader, you
have to set the tone for the building and make sure each teacher and student is taken care of.
Diversity
Diversity in schools are a concern topic that we as whole building need to address. As I
continue my focusing on leadership, I have noticed that children are now in a generation where
all teachers have many types of students. Students are in all different types of classrooms that no
longer separate them into different categories. All different types of races are mixed in into
classrooms. The term years ago were mentally disabled/handicapped or mentally retardation. In
schools today, the term is exceptional education. These students are now dispersed into multiple
classrooms and are no longer segregated. Teachers have to make sure that these students are
getting their services that are required by law for them. They will be assigned a SPED teacher
that will provide their services through pull out or push-in to work toward their goals stated on
their IEP (Individualized Learning Plan). Another group of students are our English Second
language students. These students are also required by law to receive ELL services. My role
currently is the EL Specialist at the school I work for. My job description consists of making sure
my students are pull out every day and receive their services. My district implemented this
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Leadership Philosophy
current year that teachers start making ILP (Individualized Learning Plan) goals for these
students. What these ILP goals do for the ELL students are informs the new teacher what the
student is working towards so they can be successful in passing the WIDA Access Test. (Brown,
2019).
Parent Role/Relationship with Leader
As a teacher and a parent because my son currently is in Kindergarten at my school. My
role as a parent and my relationship with my principal is very great. I love that my principal
gives call outs and send emails to the parents any time that there is an event going on at the
school or any important dates we need to be aware of. We are always informed and I love how
she sends multiple forms of reminders. She has monthly coffee talks, where she gets the parents
together to discuss and show the schools’ data with us. We can ask questions and give feedback
on any concerns we have. I think that great leaders are able to collaborate with their teachers,
faculty, stakeholders, and parents about the school and keep them informed. Leaders who are
able to have a good relationship with their parents shows they are trying to build positive
relationships that will help each student attending the school.
Conclusion
I have shown that leadership is not an easy job to handle. It takes a person of great
dedication, commitment, and a strong voice to get the job done. Providing positive work
relationships and collaboration amongst your teachers, staff, parents, and stakeholders will
indeed set the tone will how your building will be ran. A leader mind is always thinking of new
ideas to bring to their building. Setting a clear vision will be the step you need to bringing
everything all together. I want to be an exemplary leader, do you?
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Leadership Philosophy
References
Brown, C. (2019). Philosophy of education: education is key to success. Unpublished
manuscript, Liberty University.
Check, J., & Schutt, R. (2012). Research methods in education. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publishing
Kouzes, J.M., & Posner, B.Z. (2017). The leadership challenge (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John
Wiley and Sons.
Moreland, J.P. (2007). Kingdom Triangle: Recover the Christian mind, renovate the soul, restore
the Sprit’s power. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
