Standard Seven: Micro-political Leadership
Principals/assistant principals will build systems and relationships that utilize the staff ’s diversity, encourage constructive
ideological conflict in order to leverage staff expertise, power and influence in order to realize the school’s vision for success.
The principal/assistant principal will also creatively employ an awareness of staff’s professional needs, issues, and interests to
build cohesion and to facilitate distributed governance and shared decision-making.
ideological conflict in order to leverage staff expertise, power and influence in order to realize the school’s vision for success.
The principal/assistant principal will also creatively employ an awareness of staff’s professional needs, issues, and interests to
build cohesion and to facilitate distributed governance and shared decision-making.
School Executive Micro-political Leadership: The principal/assistant principal develops systems and relationships to leverage staff expertise and influence in order to influence the school’s identity, culture and performance.
Action: In an effort to get to know the staff better, to let them know we care about their well-being, and to give the PTSO ideas for teacher appreciation, I sent out a "My Favorite Things" Survey.
Survey of Teachers' Favorite Things
Action: Several times throughout the year, I have covered teachers' classes when they have had to leave for emergencies or when substitutes did not show up. If one case, I taught a class as a reward to a game we played in a staff meeting. In these situations, the teachers were so appreciative. Below is a reflection on my experience covering a 6th grade class.
Reflection on Covering a Teacher's Class
Action: This year I have learned that it is the small things that matter. Being visible in the hallways, stepping into a classroom when the teacher needs a little support, stopping long enough to listen while a teacher vents out her frustrations, getting a pack of index cards for a teacher who is in the middle of lesson and ran out of supplies are all activities that show that you care about your teachers' well-being. Below are pictures a few things I did to show my teachers that I care and a sweet note from a teacher showing that I have made a difference.
Action: I represented our band teacher at the All-County Middle School Band Concert. On my way to the event, the teacher called and asked if I would share a few words on the importance of music education. I helped the students get their instruments warmed up and and then delivered a speech before the concert began. I was grateful for the opportunity because it allowed me to combine my administrative skills with my passion for music.
Music Advocacy Speech
Action: I represented my principal on the Central Carolina Regional Education Service Alliance's Principal Council in September and March. This council comprised of Principals of the Year from area counties discussed the concerns that their schools are facing such as the teacher shortage, K-3 class size cap, and school safety. Below are the notes that I took from the March meeting.
CCRESA Principal Council
Action: At the Wilson County Job Fair, I not only was able to meet potential new teachers and reconnect with other administrators in the county, but I was also able to make connections with other educational leaders in the community. Below is a picture of my principal and I meeting with Dr. Ennis, the Dean of the School of Education at Barton College. She shared with us the new lateral entry program that Barton is starting, which will be of great use to us in the future if the teach shortage continues.