– Dolly Parton
Just as the InstaPot makes pressure cooking even easier, having some suggestions about your leadership approach can make leading your team easier. As educators, we are role models every day for the students that we teach.
This alone is the most critical way that we demonstrate leadership in the classroom. Nevertheless, in what other ways do teachers demonstrate leadership in the school? I want to share the ways that I demonstrate leadership in the classroom. Here are some practical suggestions from an undergraduate classroom educator.
Conveying expectations is paramount. I make it clear from day one that the classroom is ‘ours’ and not ‘mine.’ Aligning with the learner that the pending relationship is a partnership. Partnerships in learning are one of the essential aspects of developing rapport with students. We are all leaders in this space, and we are all learners.
I listen first and speak last! (One of the vital qualities of a great leader)
I encourage them. I am a package of positivity! I assure them they are where they are because of their diligence, and they need to believe it! I encourage them to go above and beyond expectations. I draw on storytelling to get my point across.
I demonstrate what a learning environment looks like.
I show students that learning never stops and to make the most of all opportunities. I describe this by stepping outside my comfort zone and taking risks in my own learning. I explain that being a lifelong learner has transformed me as a leader. This is demonstrated by encouraging them to go to the local continuing educations conferences hosted by local professional organizations.
I ask for feedback. A great leader seeks input from their ‘tribe.’ I ask for opinions and provide opportunities to share. Students evaluate me toward the end of the term. Furthermore, I compile feedback from what I call an exam wrapper. Using a series of questions at the end of an exam packet. It allows the learner to reflect on what they did to become prepared for an assessment, what they would do differently in the future, and what I could do to help them.
I encourage questions.
Questioning allows the curious mind to grow.
I model mistakes and let the students know that mistakes happen, and that is how we learn.
Allowing myself to be vulnerable and letting the learner know it is OK to say, “I made a mistake, I am sorry.” Guiding the learner in character build is an essential lesson for an educator to provide for the learner.
As an educator, I am a leader, and so are you!
We make a difference every day, and the actions that we model make a huge difference in our learner’s future. Proven techniques and strategies for planning and preparation are presented and discussed. In addition, it offers effective methods for conducting the first-class meeting and delivering course content. Also, my hope is to provide a solid foundation for new instructors and serves as an excellent refresher for more experienced instructors.
From the