ACTIVITY #3: Leadership Dynamics

Transcription

1 SHOW SLIDE ONE. Tell the directors that because Leadership is the first strand, we will be focusing more closely on it today through the Leadership Dynamics PowerPoint. Point out that the Leadership Dynamics PowerPoint will help us determine what effective leadership is and how it functions. Ask, What does leadership entail? (Allow directors to respond.) Tell the directors that leadership actually includes all of the strands and subtopics discussed in the previous activity, even though they also fit under the other strands, which is why leadership is covered first. Say, A lot of research has been done on the topic of leadership. It is this research that we will be referencing during the PowerPoint. 1

2 SHOW SLIDE TWO. Ask, What is leadership? (Allow directors to respond.) Say, Leadership is the process of influencing others to achieve mutually agreed-upon goals. Everyone at your center looks up to you and follows you. If you don t help them come together to achieve goals, it probably won t happen! A leader brings the team together and addresses the individual needs of the staff. Say, Similarly, your actions are a model for the staff. Whatever you do as a leader, the staff will use as a model for their own actions. How are your actions reflected in what your staff does? (Allow directors to respond.) 2

3 SHOW SLIDE THREE. Say, Everyone has a different leadership style. We are actually going to talk more about that next week. Your leadership style can be influenced by your values and beliefs about how others grow, develop, and change. These beliefs can be formed by your childhood, educational and life experiences, and the influences of others. 3

4 SHOW SLIDE FOUR. Say, Effective leaders encourage staff to be self-sufficient and to depend on one another for support. You are the pivotal point that everything in the center revolves around. However, everyone brings something different to the table. Staff need to be able to draw upon their collective talents and contribute. 4

5 SHOW SLIDE FIVE. Ask, How does good leadership foster high-quality care and education? (Allow directors to respond.) Say, It is a leader s job to keep track of whether or not the center is in compliance with state or federal regulations and guidelines, and to ensure that the center IS in compliance. Say, It is also a leader s job to promote fiscal soundness, program accountability, and supportive workplaces. We have already talked about the importance of being a model for the staff and supporting them. This connects to maintaining a stable staff. Say, Leaders must institute program planning. After a plan is formed, it is up to the leader to corral staff and see it through. Say, Leaders must also implement a continuous improvement model. A vision statement, which we will talk about in our third session, is a good way to create a long-term goal for the center to constantly work toward, improving one step at a time. Say, These are important and directors spend a lot of time managing their center compliance. 5

6 SHOW SLIDE SIX. ACTIVITY #3: Leadership Dynamics (Slides 1 14) Say, The National Association of Elementary School Principals has standards which govern leadership concepts and are applicable to early childhood leaders as well. Say, The first standard is to embrace early childhood learning. Learning begins early, so it is essential that a leader fosters high-quality programs in their centers for young children. The learning that occurs in early childhood education follows the child through adulthood, and can affect the way learning in later grades. Say, The second standard is to engage families and communities. Children are more successful when they have an extensive support system. Children may receive support in the school, but the environment may be different when they go home. This makes it all the more important for the center to reach out to the families and community organizations to get involved in the education and wellbeing of the child. 6

7 SHOW SLIDE SEVEN. Say, The third standard of The National Association of Elementary School Principals is to promote appropriate learning environments for young children. Center directors can promote appropriate learning environments by tailoring the curriculum and materials to the needs of the children. Also, by monitoring teacher and classroom behaviors, the director can make modifications to the learning environments. Say, The fourth standard is to ensure quality teaching. Children want to learn. They must be given opportunities to learn in engaging ways. It is the responsibility of the leader to make sure children are being given these opportunities in the classroom. Say, The fifth standard is to use multiple assessments to strengthen learning. There are many ways to assess young children s learning. A step toward assessing is to consider standards such as VPK, teacher observations, assessing for difficulties or barriers the child may have, and keeping the parents informed of the child s progress. Also, see what other centers are doing to assess. 7

8 SHOW SLIDE EIGHT. Say, A leader is the visionary of the center. The leader sees the big picture and looks toward the future. The question to be considered is, Where do we want to be in five years? Say, The leader monitors the progress toward the goal, plans for addressing needs and establishing activities toward the goal, and evaluates progress by examining data. Say, The leader does not necessarily do every task but oversees the process, maintains high expectations, and level of activity toward the goal. They make sure these things happen. 8

9 SHOW SLIDE NINE. Say, Just as a society has a culture, centers have cultures as well. These cultures are a reflection of shared values, norms, history, traditions, climate, and ethics of the director, staff, children, and families belonging to the center. 9

10 SHOW SLIDE TEN. Say, These aspects come together to create a culture that can be positive, which fosters a work environment that enables children to learn, teachers to teach, and families to feel respected and valued. A positive culture is fundamental to the productive functioning of the center. Ask, How do you think leaders help to influence the center culture? (Allow directors to respond.) 10

11 SHOW SLIDE ELEVEN. Say, Leaders influence culture by building vision, stimulating innovation, and encouraging performance. As we discussed earlier, staff look to the director of the center as their leader and role model. When a vision is created and supported, the staff is motivated to succeed. Leaders can help encourage performance and stimulate innovation, prompting staff to work independently and also to help them help each other. A positive center culture can only breed more success. 11

12 SHOW SLIDE TWELVE. Say, Now, to summarize, here are some key words to describe a leader - a visionary, a motivator, and a manager. These words by no means encompass everything a leader does, but they are a start. You will learn much more in detail about leaders and leadership over the next two sessions. 12

13 SHOW SLIDE THIRTEEN. Ask, What are the implications for you and your center? What has this presentation brought to your attention? Allow directors to respond and elaborate. Allow directors to ask any questions. 13

14 The modules presented here were funded in part by the Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education as part of the Virtual School Readiness Incubator Project. The content of these modules does not necessarily reflect the views or policies or imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the University of North Florida. These prototype materials are still in development and refinement and should be used with this caution in mind. 14