Chue Lo

EDAD 620

Platform

In the time spent in this administrative program, it has allowed me to reflect upon my

current role as an educator, and my future role as a school leader. At the end of the day, to know

that I have made an impact in a student’s life experience is really all that matters. Through

reading, researching, and collaborating with colleagues through his program, it has come to my

attention that relationship building is very important. In a recent interview with Principal Xiong,

he states that the ingredient to making his job enjoyable are the relationships he has built

overtime. (Xiong, 2018). Through his years at Elder Creek Elementary, many teachers and

students have come and gone, but the relationship connection still stands. As an educator, it is

encouraging to see and hear stories about how teachers and leaders have made impacts in

students’ lives.

As a future leader, I am inspired to apply Kouzes and Posner’ Five Practices of an

Exemplary Leadership: modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process,

enabling others, and encouraging the heart.

Model the Way

Kouzes and Posner (2017) describes Model the Way as an individual who has a clear set

value, followed by an aligning one’s own action with the values. When people look for

admirable leaders, they often seek for leaders with these qualities: one who is honest, competent,

inspiring, and forward-looking. (Kouzes and Posner). A leader who demonstrates honesty is a
person of integrity and authentic. No matter the setting, one can always trust that the leader of

integrity will always make decisions in the best interest of the organization, and not for the

benefit of oneself. A great leader is also one who is competent. Competent leaders often make

decisions with confidence, and are sure of what their decision makings. And lastly, a leader who

models the way always has an end goal in mind. They have the destination in mind when asking

others to join their journey, even if it is unknown. (Kouzes and Posner, 2017).

Inspire a Share Vision

Inspire a share vision is being able to envision the future and impacting people’s

motivational level. (Kouzes and Posner, 2017). Leaders who inspire share visions often reflect

on the past and seek for ways of improvement. Kouzes and Posner (2017) describes the past as

your ‘traveling partner’ as it provides a valuable guidance in directionality. Leaders with

inspired visions are able to enlist members of an organization to jump on board, no matter the

cause. Members typically confide in the leader’s decisions and know that together, they can

accomplish the task.

Challenge the Process

Leaders who challenge the process are always looking for innovative ways to improve.

(Kouzes and Posner, 2017). For example, Nadia Lopez in The Bridge to Brilliance never gave

up the summer of when she was opening up Mott Hall. Lopez continued to press on, as she went

from neighborhood to neighborhood, enlisting student enrollment. Little did she know that all the

hard work put into it would eventually be a place for kids to learn and grow from. Kouzes and

Posner (2017) states that when faced with a challenge, it brings out the best in people.
Sometimes, challenges will throw curve balls at us, but we just have to stay positive, and hang in

there.

Enable Others to Act

Great leaders facilitates collaboration and gives others autonomy to make decisions. As

the saying goes, “There is no ‘I’ in us.” We have to build a great trust in our team. I have to

trust that whenever committees make decisions for the school, it is in the best interest of the

students and families. When teachers are included in the school decision-makings, extraordinary

things can happen. Just like in the classroom, when we allow students to be a part of the

decision-making process, they take on more ownership, which means more effort and thought

put into their assignments. Teachers are also the same way. It gives them a sense of value and

validity when teacher voices are heard. Kouzes and Posner (2017) adds that facilitating this type

of collaboration eventually leads to building a community of trusts. However, in order for

someone to first trust you, you must be the first to be able give them your trust. A person who

‘enables others,’ puts others interests before his/her own. All of which, leads to facilitating a

healthy, working environment relationship.

Encourage the Heart

Encouraging the heart is all about recognizing contributions by showing appreciation for

individual excellence. (Kouzes and Posner, 2017). It is important to celebrate victories and hard

work once in a while as it builds a positive spirit in people. Deblois (2000) suggests that

transformational leadership consists of identifying, encouraging, and supporting others in the

organization. As leaders, we should never forget the value of our own teachers. My school does

quick "shout outs" as a cool way to recognize the staff and students. It definitely does go a long

way to stop and appreciate once in a while, especially when teachers are the foundations of the

school. Though teachers may not express it much, I do know that they really do appreciate and

enjoy the "shout outs" as it refuels their teaching spirit.

Reflection

In reflection I am inspired to put into practice Kouzes and Posner’ Five Practices of an

Exemplary Leadership. Not only do we as educators and leaders invest in our school, but also

our staff, students, and families. Every student deserves a chance, and that with the given

support and encouragement, these students can reach any height. From staff meetings, to talking

with students on the playground, to parent engagement nights, to monitoring the halls, to

communicating with his staff, every effort has to be invested and built into developing great

relationships with each and every one on campus.

I can only hope to build up my character to becoming a strong leader for my school. I

believe my only source of success would to just be as authentic as possible. Alok and Israel

(2012) states that authentic leaders often reflect on their values, goals, and motives. They accept

their strengths and build on their weaknesses. They present their true selves to others in a

trusting, and open manner. As an aspiring leader, you can never have enough leaders on campus.

Teachers are natural leaders already; they just need extra support to help sharpen their skills.

Currently, I can envision myself as a Site Instructional Coach or an Assistant Principal. I

am confident that this administrative credentialing program will only prepare me for it.
 References

Alok, K., & Israel, D. (2012). Authentic Leadership & Work Engagement. Indian Journal of

Industrial Relations, 47(3), 498-510. Retrieved from

http://www.jstor.org/stable/23267340

DeBlois, Robert. (2000). The Everyday Work of Leadership. Phi Delta Kappan, 82(1), 25-27.

Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The leadership challenge. Hoboken, New Jersey: John

Wiley & Sons Inc.

Lopez, N. & Paley, R. (2016). The bridge to brilliance. How one principal in a tough community

is inspiring the world. NY, NY: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Xiong, V. (2018, July 2). Personal interview.