Reflection:

values, beliefs, and assumptions

as a teacher leader.

Karen Calvillo

EDL/515 University of Phoenix

June 9, 2014 Professor, Jonathan Lewis

Reflection

• Values

• Believes

• Assumptions

Reflecting:

The reasons that I became a teacher was quite clear to me the first time I set stepped inside a classroom; it was one of those marvelous moments in my life, besides giving birth to my children. Little did I know that it was more than teaching the “abc’s”

Values Continuing my education

Read and analyze educational research

Update and improve technology skills

"Teachers play a critical role in improving teaching, learning, teacher-

student relationships, and school climate, and teacher education

programs have a responsibility to prepare teachers to work with every

student in their classroom" (Larrabee & Morehead, 2010, pg. 37).

Realizing the different cultures of each school where I have worked

has had it’s influenced, and then it’s cultivated by the values, beliefs,

and assumptions. The tone in which I want to set in each school site,

starts by continuing my education, update and improve my technical

skills. Read and analyze my educational skills to be an access in the

administration site, and some leaders, followed by the custodian to the

secretary to help achieve a cordial atmosphere when others enter the

school site.

Reflecting on values;

First of all, I have knowledge, chosing to be teacher leader, was to

learn how to collaborate, and be willing to be a good listener, This

does not signify that I will forget where I started, and where it all

began, foremost is the responsibility of being a teacher above all,

and therefore, improving myself to be the best in this field of

education. The focus therefore should be on education.

Personally I believe the sum of attitudes, customs and beliefs of a

school is developed by its leadership. Both administration and

teacher leaders play an important role in the culture of the school.

Therefore I do assume that all leaders should take into

consideration with each student’s learning culture. The challenges

of a teacher leader signifies to be in tune with coworkers students,

parents, and form a community partnership

Beliefs Integrity

Honesty

Professional & ethical behavior

Fairness

I have always believed from the beginning of my career to have

integrity honesty, professional and ethical behavior, a teacher is

more than teaching, it goes further than the four walls of the

classroom. Learning how to be a teacher leader, and conduct

myself with fairness, is not that different than working in a school

setting, and having prior knowledge when working with peers,

students and administration, it takes perseverance to continue to

learn and grow in this world of education.

I believe that it’s necessary to have visualization for improving, and

facilitating the school site, also to help other teachers in improving the

location. Being proactive and analyzing all aspects by helping foster

ideas that will directly affect the learning process in a positive way.

Teacher leaders must be effective communicators, must be flexible, and

should be able to accept criticism. They must be aware of the roles of

the key players and be able to recognize the people who are allies and

the ones who are not. The key to developing and maintaining a positive

school culture centered on student learning is to work as a collaborative

team not solo individuals. Teacher leaders should model honesty,

sincerity and believing that what whatever the circumstances have

integrity.

Margaret Juhl, a character in Reframing the Path to School

Leadership by Bolman and Deal (2010) embodies many of the

characteristics of a teacher leader. Instead of ridiculing Joan, a

first year teacher in the book, she gives up her time to encourage

Joan. Margaret does not allow Joan to believe that she is the only

one who has been through what she's going through. She says

things like, "Experience helps you put things in perspective....Your

training never really prepares you for it" (Bolman & Deal, 2010,

p.42). Often times teacher who have had experiences in the

classroom, are motivated to improve in the teaching methods and

classroom management techniques by attending workshops

outside of school. “Margaret” has also experienced conflict with

her colleagues and has learned effective ways to manage it. She

is now well-respected by other teachers and parents. She gives

Joan ideas based on these experiences.

As a teacher leader, I believe on having integrity, I know that I also need to place aside my own feelings to be a part of that organization, to try and make a positive atmosphere. True honesty and being sincere is simply about representing oneself genuinely. A good leader must always be sincere and believe in what they say and do. Speaking the truth and acting in accordance with their true feelings at all times demonstrates sincerity to team members

Assumption

Collaborate with and support other teachers

Works to improve education

Strong interpersonal communication skills

Assumption, are sometimes taken out of content, for example whenever training occurs, some of us get lost in transition, it is therefore important to collaborate and support other teachers, depending on the training, or who is doing the training. Working to improve the program, and be part of the education world, It is therefore necessary to have a clear picture or programs that are being presented for full understanding.

My Goal is to…

Focusing to have a clear curriculum, and most

importantly and trying not to make assumptions

when I am teaching, it helps to have a strong

interpersonal communication skills to include

everyone in the room, to make my peers feel

that they are being part of what I am teaching,

also to pause and stop, ask questions for clear

understanding.

Communicating with teachers, students and

administrators, is part of getting the words

across, and not to come off as a “martyr” but as a

team player. Therefore I have then learned that

being a teacher leader I should always be

prepared to make positive changes for the sake

of being competent, and to stay focus to better

prepare my peers to advance in their teaching

and involvement with all, and keep in mind with

my interpersonal communication skills.

Conclusion

I have learned and hope to always have an open mind to serve

my fellow peers leading them to become a better influence, at

what they do, at the same time respecting and not forgetting

how I started, and how far it has taken me to be here. I

understand that not everyone will agree with me or be motivated

in collaborating for the success of all. There are relationships

that will change drastically as a result of the nature of my job

and my drive.

References

Bolman, L. G. (3010). Reframing the path to school leadership (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:

Corwin Press.

Larrabee, T. G., & Moorhead, P. (2010). Broadening View of Social Justice and Teacher

Leadership: Addressing LGB. Issues in Teacher Education, 19(2), 37-52.