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What a winter! My final course of 2016 at San Diego State was Visionary Leadership, with Alex Gonzalez (HSHMC Technology Coordinator) and Ian Pumpian (San Diego State College of Education EDD Program Director). This was one of the best classes in my Master of Educational Leadership program at SDSU.
This particular course focused on my vision as a leader, what brought me to that thinking, and where I see myself going. Of all the courses I have taken so far, this course challenged my thinking as it was very personal. It required that I look back at my past, think about what helped shape who I am today, shape my leadership style, and so much more. We spent time reflecting on leadership habits, school culture and crafting a leadership platform. The neat part about the leadership habit reflection was reflecting of course, but also thinking about the impact of those habits and how to share that positive impact with others. Like the other classes, there were numerous opportunities to think of ways to apply the topics of habits, culture and even the leadership platform to AAS. While I did share my own leadership platform, it truly is a work in process ... as I believe in life-long learning and growing, which affords the opportunity for the platform to grow and expand. If you view the platform, please share questions, comments and overall feedback ... it is part of the process of growth. It is truly rewarding to be able to learn with my cohort, my peers! Thank you Dr. Pumpian, Mr. Gonzalez, and my cohort, for another great semester at SDSU!
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In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are spending time learning, teaching and demonstrating the Habits of Highly Effective Learners by Stephan Covey. This week, the final topic is on sharpening the saw.
An interesting quote by Abraham Lincoln was shared: "If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend the first four hours sharpening the axe." The idea is preparing for the long game, and to get ahead and stay ahead of the curve. An example was also shared ... tending to the garden. This is not a single day activity, but a daily activity if it is to be a successful and flourishing garden. This habit is about learning, growing, experiencing. When it comes to making a commitment on this notion of sharpening the saw, my commitment is to continue to be a supporter of life-long learning. I will strive to look for ways to stay current in my profession, and encourage my peers to seek opportunities to enhance their skill-sets. We can keep the saw sharp by continiously learning, from one another, through workshops, and other available means. The idea that I'll stop when I am dead holds true, especially with this habit of sharpening the saw. If I am not learning, if I am not growing, I'll be stuck in place and the world, and those unique experiences, will pass me by. The saw must remain sharp, to be effective in both the personal and professional realms. In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are spending time learning, teaching and demonstrating the Habits of Highly Effective Learners by Stephan Covey. This week, the topic is on synergizing.
The first five (5) Habits of Highly Effective Learners leads into the sixth habit: synergy. An image was shared as part of the lecture to demonstrate this idea of synergy. We need to see ('I value differences in others'), which allows us to do ('I seek a third alternative'), which allows us to get ('I achieve better solutions'). When it comes to making a commitment on this notion of synergy, my commitment is to create teams to look at opportunities and work together to find the best solution for that opportunity. Too often we rely on a top-down approach to problem-solving, and do not set enough chairs at the table. I believe in listening to opinions and experiences of others, talking through those opinions, and coming together to solve a problem. There is a reason why we look for the best and brightest to educate our scholars. It is time to ensure they have a voice in some of the operations as well. It is time to value their unique experiences and perspectives, and bring the concept of synergy to the organization. In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are working on building and assessing school culture. This is meant to be a reflection on the idea of a welcoming school culture and include responses to a series of guided prompts. Those prompts are:
No - failure is not a regular option and experience for scholars at AAS. Our team is dedicated and committed to ensuring the success of our scholars, and we have groups of teams who provide various levels of support. We have a number of supports set-up at AAS. In addition to teachers, we have a counseling team, special education team, and advising team. We have also developed resources for our learning coaches through our Learning Coach Lounge initiative. We also have two (2) new positions this year: Scholar Engagement Coordinator and Scholar Intervention Coordinator. One could actually view the intervention position as a success position, as this individual is dedicated to creating pesonalized support systems for those scholars who need it. We do not have a condition where it is too late to learn. Many of our scholars come in credit deficient, and our teams have resources to assist these scholars. We are also looking at options for credit recovery, such as summer school, in the near future. As the school leader of AAS, I am proud to say we already have a 'never too late to learn' structure. We work hard to understand the needs of our scholars, and provide supports for these scholars. It is not too late, at any point, to learn and grow with AAS. The biggest commitment is on continuing to support our scholars. We will always ensure there are resources to support scholars, from staffing, to systems. We are reviewing options for summer school and credit recovery. We are looking at ways to strengthen Learning Labs and Q&A sessions. We are also looking at how to enhance our Study Hall component to our truancy system. I will always be open to new and creative ideas to support scholars, from staff, to scholars, to parents, to peers. Everyone should and can be successful at AAS. In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are spending time learning, teaching and demonstrating the Habits of Highly Effective Learners by Stephan Covey. This week, the topic is on seeking first to understand, then be understood.
The idea of a collective monologue was shared, where two (or more) people are trying to be understood at the same time. They do this by either talking over one another, or letting one person talk while they formulate their response. In both instances, the person who should be listening is not actually listening, but preparing to talk. This limits, maybe perhaps even stops, the ability to understand the conversation. An idea was shared to combat this; empathetic listening. Rather than judging, probing and even advising, the idea is to reflect ... reflect on feeling, on meaning. It reminds me of a program I ran as an undergraduate at Central Michigan University: The David Garcia Project. This program attempted to show students how to be empathetic, rather than sympathetic, but pushing understanding. When it comes to making a commitment on this notion of seeking first to understand, then be understood, my commitment is to take the time to understand, not only the nuts and bolts of programs, but on the thoughts and opinions of my team. I will strive to give everyone at the table a voice, a forum to be heard, in a non-threatening atmosphere. I will ask questions to ensure I understand the concept, and work to faciliate understanding among those assembled for that topic. There is no greater feeling than that of being heard, knowing that the opinion you have to share has been shared and understood. In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are working on developing a leadership platform. This is meant to be my non-negotiables post as I create this platform.
These are items that I expect of myself, and in turn, expect of those who work with me. First and foremost, our work will be done with the highest ethical standard. This means that we operate in compliance of the law, and always doing what is best for those we serve. There are instances where there can be no interpretation - we operate in total compliance, from the beginning and until the end. Next up is transparency. I believe in being open, honest and forthcoming with the information at hand. I do not believe in keeping information out of the hands of anyone. If were are all on the same page, we can use our own skill-sets to bring creative solutions to the table when needed. It is not possible to bring solutions if all of the available information is not shared. Transparency also means having the courage to say when you do not know something and taking responsibility to help find the answers. A third non-negotiable is being present and engaged. We are part of a team for a reason, so be present and engaged with your skill-sets and abilities, and offer them to the organization to move it forward. Use your passions to inspire others to be change agents and difference makers. In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are working on developing a leadership platform. This is meant to be my leadership style post as I create this platform.
I am a firm believer in transparency, and ensuring everyone is in the know of where we are, and where we are going. When a decision is made, I believe in sharing the 'why' of that decision so there can be greater understanding throughout the organization. Before reaching that decision, though, I believe in bringing a team together to talk through the situation and talking through opportunities to solve the issue at hand. I do not believe in edicts from on high, rather, involving others to come up with the best possible solution. I believe in being open and honest, and of having an open door policy. I am hopeful my colleagues see this leadership style in how I operate on a daily basis. I believe in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and involving others in that pursuit. I hope to continue to model this leadership style and way of thinking. In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are spending time learning, teaching and demonstrating the Habits of Highly Effective Learners by Stephan Covey. This week, the topic is on thinking win-win.
The lecture was interesting and spot on ... win-win is not compromising, rather, finding a better way. In a compromise, neither party truly wins, rather, they lower expectations and 'win.' But that is not a win-win solution. In a win-win scenario, conversations occur to think of a creative way for all the non-negotiables to be realized. A great analogy was shared ... "Its not you or me. Its not a matter of who gets the bigger piece of pie. There's more than enough for everyone." What a great concept. When it comes to making a commitment on this notion of thinking win-win, my commitment is to come to the table with ideas for a solution, and to be open to listening to the ideas that others also bring to the table. I believe in sharing our solutions, and working together to meld the ideas into what may work best or shelving all the ideas altogether and coming up with something that does work. The bottom line is to be open to feedback, to differing opinions, and talking through how the ideas can truly work to provide the most robust solution. I will not negate or downplay the ideas of others, but appreciate they come to the table with well thought-out solutions of there own ... knowing that at the end of the day, we both want the same thing: a solution that works. In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are working on building and assessing school culture. This is meant to be a reflection on the idea of a welcoming school culture and include responses to a series of guided prompts. Those prompts are:
Schools play a large role in building students' agency and identity. Afterall, a scholar spends a majority of their day in school, with their peers and school staff. A school then becomes a place which models the ability to create agency and identity in a safe environment. I am fully aware of this awesome responsibility that is placed on a school and its staff. In this age of technology, texting, social media, I continue to remind staff that we must model the behavior we hope to see in our scholars. If we LOL in an eMail, we are saying and showing that is OK. (And to me, it is not. An eMail is not a text nor a tweet, and we can use full and complete sentences.) If we expect quick turn-around in communication with our scholars, we too then need to respond in an appropriate timeframe. We are the model. I am lucky to be a school leader. As noted above, I believe in modeling the behavior I hope and expect to see. If I expect a response within 24-hours, I too will give responses within that timeframe. If I expect staff to use their phone, eMail and other forms of communication, I too will be, and have been, using said forms. Model the way. I do not wish to continue to 'punt' to this notion, though I will. Model the behaviors, the responses, so others can learn the way. I am a firm believer in sharing the 'why' on decisions. Translate that to assignments. Share the 'why' for the "B" and how the "A" may have been earned. The biggest commitment is on continuing to be seen as a role model and a model. I do not think it fair to expect something from someone if they cannot expect the same out of me. We have to practice what we preach, live our mission, vision and core values. Otherwise, we will be seen as fakes and phonys, with zero influece. And if we cannot provide a positive influence, what then are we providing? In my EDL 610 course, which is Visionary Leadership, we are working on developing a leadership platform. This is meant to be my professional experience post as I create this platform.
My background is in nonprofit management, with focus on communication and development. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in history and political science, while working as the Public Relations Coordinator for the Fowlerville District Library. I oversaw the communications for the library, interacted with patrons and facilitated programs for the community. After five (5) years I changed gears and moved to South Florida to work in Undergraduate Admissions at Barry University. In this role I met with and assisted prospective students map out a potential educational path at Barry, and at times, pointed them to other schools where they might find more success or a program that better aligned with their interest areas. I also served on a few boards, working to give back to the community and be involved and engaged in the area. After some time in South Florida, I moved to the Washington, DC area and worked for several different non-profits. The last stint was with ServiceSource as their Manager, Community Relations. In this role I worked on marketing and communications, along with fundraising and volunteer management. The organization provided opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. It was rewarding, to tell their story of achieving independence, and of providing resources to ensure this independence. Originally from Michigan, I found an opportunity to come home through Detroit Public TV and took it. I worked as the Manager, Major Giving for several years, facilitating the philanthropic goals of our donors to the mission and vision of DPTV. Again, all the while, serving the community on several boards, including one that kept me in education. I was serving on the Academy of Arts and Sciences Charter School Board. After a time of change, an opportunity arose to become the CEO for this school and help it weather a unique storm. I would not be where I am today without the experiences I have had. This path has allowed me to hone by ability to make connections, with fellow staff, with community members, with stakeholders. It has allowed me to understand and appreciate the responses given to questions posed, to reflect and become engaged. It has allowed me to see the big picture, the light at the end of the tunnel, the vision -- and in turn, be able to help others navigate the vision and be truly be part of the success of the organization. It has been a great journey, and there is still much more to come ... |
AuthorJ.J. Lewis - a blog sharing the journey throughout SDSU's MA.EL. program. Archives
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