Who am I as a leader?

I don’t identify as a leader, but I try to practice leadership. I’m an emerging leader - striving to improve. I’m one emerging leader among the emerging leaders (aka students) inside and outside of my classroom. I’m one emerging leader among the other leaders (teachers, administrators and staff) at my school and in my school district.

Although there are different contexts where I practice leadership, my purpose is consistent. If I apply Simon Sinek’s golden circle to my leadership practice, dignity is at the center; dignity is the “why.” I couldn’t always articulate it so succinctly, but I think that my purpose has been distilled through experience and reflection. The more time I spend studying the map, the more I recognize that all roads originate from the zip code of dignity.

This is also my philosophy of education. I believe that the purpose, the “why,” of public education is to empower every child with dignity - from the present moment of every class, to a future of opportunity.

In terms of the “how” of leadership, I have been influenced by many skilled leaders I have had the privilege of observing. Some of my practical aspirations include:

• Lead by example. Actions speak louder.
• Communicate face to face whenever possible.
• Assume the best in everyone, and broadcast that assumption.
• Ask questions. Listen more. Speak less.
• Consensus.
• Focus on assets.
• Identify and eliminate barriers, but don’t waste time admiring them.