At that moment, I decided to take back control. My future goals were not clearly defined, but I knew I wanted to be back in the driver seat. That lead me to the Lamar Digital Learning and Leading Program. I had several friends who also went through the program. It resonated with me. Looking back at my very first post makes me smile. I knew who I was but wasn’t quite sure about who I wanted to be. I was also not very tuned in to who I had been. I’ve always had an excitement and energy that allowed me to chart my own course. Often, I was charting this course alone whether I wanted to or not. I was given the OK to start several programs on campus. The district wanted to encourage my innovation and drive. They liked being able to show the program. At the same time, we could never find people to take that journey with me. I could spend hours getting into all of the missteps I took. That’s neither here nor there. The fact remains that many times, I inadvertently built a “house of cards.” If I wasn’t working day and night to keep it going, it would all fall down.
That first semester of the DLL program was an eye opener for me. As we talked about ePortfolios, technology, learner choice, and significant learning environments, I saw all of those goals I had been missing coming closer. I had always attempted portfolios in class but was never really successful with it. I had always given my learners a lot of choice and ownership in class, but it never resulted in completed projects and obviously successful outcomes. The successes were mostly anecdotal. That semester, my classroom started to take on a new focus. Things started coming together. In the spring, my principal asked me what I wanted for myself professionally. I didn’t really have an answer. It was a tough pill to swallow. I spent a lot of time searching within and talking with friends. I realized that I still loved the classroom but was starting to gain the true strengths to be a leader in a curriculum and instruction role. Over the years, it was clear that what I lacked in true leadership I made up for in energy. Something one of my administrators said years ago stuck with me, but never made sense until last spring. We were getting ready for a student showcase and she told my principal, “see, he’s showing he does have leadership.” It makes sense now. This page on change and leadership is in stark contrast to myself at that time.
It’s still a messy experience, but for the first time it is one that others can duplicate. I am now working with two other teachers to create a guide to help teachers bring app prototyping into their classroom. One of the team is a teacher from the summer coding academies.
As I wrap up this semester, I feel much different about my leadership abilities. They are not dependent upon what I know or my technical skill. It really doesn’t matter now. My leadership is coming from a place of knowing how to prepare properly and what the roles are. I wasn’t before, but now I am a leader. Now when people ask me about where I am going. I have a definitive answer. I want to be in a leadership position where I can work over time to have a sustained and measurable impact on teachers and learners.
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About 3520This course is the capstone course in the DLL program. I am reflecting on, adjusting, and making plans for the next steps in my Innovation Plan and personal growth. Innovation Plan Links
Innovation Plan Project Proposal Plan Outline Change and Leadership Professional Learning Plan ArchivesCategories |