Educational Philosophy

I believe that schools can be successful if the focus is on what is most important; students and improving student learning. Considering each child’s learning styles and by accommodating each style, student growth will be evident. Additionally, faculty and students need to consistently evaluate themselves by setting goals and monitoring those goals. Ongoing goal setting builds community and confidence in the educator’s ability to be the change they want to see. Educators make learning happen. Furthermore, students need to be encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone. This will involve taking risks, that may lead to a failure in the short term but ample learning opportunity in the long term. This collaborative culture between students and educators is vital for student success.

Lifelong Learners…

If lifelong learning is important to the school community, it should be apparent and demonstrate by every individual working in the school. Education is a process not a destination. As educators, we must model continuous learning for our colleagues and our students. We must always be well-versed in the most recent advancements in education and abreast of our profession through education and professional growth.

Collaboration…

Collaboration skills and best practices among colleagues and students must always be promoted and modeled by lifelong learners; educators. We should learn from each other and create an environment that allows risk-taking and embraces it, while providing an opportunity to learn and grow together. Creating shared goals among educators and implementing plans for increased achievement must always in the forefront.

Inspire and motivate…

Humans share a need for belonging. As educators we need to appreciate each child’s unique skills and abilities and provide an environment that is safe, invites a sharing of ideas and respect all things and all people, which will ultimately lead to growth. By supporting each child, we can support their efforts, ambitions, and goals. It is our role as educators and instructional leaders to constantly provide practical feedback and focus on developing critical thinking through deliberate practice.

Leadership…

As a leader in an international school a culture of trust and honesty where educators feel supported and appreciated needs to be paramount. This support, empathy, guidance, consistency, structure and honesty from the leadership is crucial to the success of the school. With a transformative and servant leadership model, educators and administrators build trust and focus on relationships within the school which will cultivate and retain highly qualified teaching staff and develop global student learners.

“The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there. “– John Buchan,

References

Northouse, P.G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications

Seashore Louis, K., Dretzke, B.,& Wahlstrom, K. (2010). How does leadership affect student achievement? Results from a national US survey. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 21(3), 315-336 doi:10.1080/09243453.2010.486586

Waldron, N. L., & McLeskey, J. (2010). Establishing a collaborative school culture through comprehensive school reform. Journal of Education and Psychological Consultation, 20(1), 58-74